Resource partitioning among flower visitors and evolution of nectar concealment in multi-species communities

• Published in: Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences Vol. 272; no. 1559; pp. 187 - 192
• Main Authors: Rodriguez-Girones, M.A, Santamaria, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England The Royal Society 22.01.2005
• Subjects: Animals; Bees; Biological Evolution; Community Ecology; Ecological competition; Ecosystem; Evolution; Flowers; Flowers - anatomy & histology; Flowers - genetics; Flowers - physiology; Foraging; Insect pollination; mathematical models; Models, Biological; Nectar; Nectar Concealment; Optimal Foraging; Parasites; plant communities; plant ecology; Plants; Pollen; Pollinating insects; Pollination; pollinators; Reproduction

The plant community within which flower evolution takes place has largely been ignored. We develop two models for the evolution of nectar concealment when flowers are visited by legitimate pollinators and flower parasites. When there is a single plant species, no level of nectar concealment is evolu...