Abstract Detail

Reproductive Processes

Oderman, Kiersten [1], , Rida Sait [2].

The comparison of the reproductive ecology of Castillaja coccinea in Missouri glade and prairie habitats in drought vs non-drought years.

The reproductive success of flowering plants depends on factors such as pollinator activity, morphology, and abiotic features. Because of this dependence, floral traits such as plant height, display size, stamen length, and stigma length can play a role in the reproductive success of the plant. This study focuses on the reproductive success of Castillaja coccinea in prairie and glade habitats and the effect of abiotic factors such as winter drought. Morphological traits (plant height, number of inflorescences, stigma length and stamen length) were recorded in both the prairie and glade habitat from 2021. In the 2017-18 population, the plant height and number of inflorescences were recorded. To determine pollination system in 2021, twenty-minute pollinator observations were conducted, and a sample of insects were washed for pollen load. The results showed a statistical difference in plant height between the two habitats of a prairie and glade in 2021, but neither population showed pollen limitation. The main pollinator, the halictid, was consistent in years of drought and non-drought. Data did support the glade population in 2017, a year of drought, was pollen limited, while the glade population in 2021, a year of non-drought, was not pollen limited. Habitat and drought both play a factor in morphology, but it doesn’t impact main pollinator type. However, the combination of drought and a glade habitat resulted in pollen limitation.

1 - Maryville University , School Arts and Science, 650 Maryville University Drive, St. Louis , MO, 63141, United States
2 - Maryville University, School Arts and Science, 650 Maryville University Drive, St Louis, MO, 63141, United States

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Poster
Number: PRP008
Abstract ID:926
Candidate for Awards:None