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Letter
Asymmetric and frequency-dependent pollinator-mediated interactions may influence competitive displacement in two vernal pool plants
Article first published online: 8 NOV 2012
DOI: 10.1111/ele.12026
© 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd/CNRS
Additional Information
How to Cite
Ecology Letters (2013) 16: 183–190
Publication History
- Issue published online: 15 JAN 2013
- Article first published online: 8 NOV 2012
- Manuscript Accepted: 5 OCT 2012
- Manuscript Revised: 6 SEP 2012
- Manuscript Revised: 4 JUN 2012
- Manuscript Received: 2 MAY 2012
- Abstract
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- Cited By
Keywords:
- Asymmetrical competition;
- frequency dependence;
- heterospecific pollen transfer;
- Limnanthes ;
- pollination;
- vernal pools
Abstract
A plant species immigrating into a community may experience a rarity disadvantage due to competition for the services of pollinators. These negative reproductive interactions have the potential to lead to competitive displacement or exclusion of a species from a site. In this study, we used one- and two-species arrays of potted plants to test for density and frequency dependence in pollinator-mediated and above-ground intraspecific and interspecific competition between two species of Limnanthes that have overlapping ranges, but rarely occur in close sympatry. There were asymmetric competitive effects; the species responded differently to their frequency within 16-plant replacement series arrays. Limnanthes douglasii rosea experienced stronger reductions in lifetime and per-flower fertility, likely due to pollinator-mediated competition with Limnanthes alba. This effect may be linked to asymmetrical competition through heterospecific pollen transfer. This study demonstrates that pollinator-mediated competition may discourage establishment of L. d. rosea in sites already occupied by its congener.