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Abstract Detail



Ecological Section

Rork, Adam [1], Miller-Struttmann, Nicole [2], Hoeft, Adam [3], Hulsey, Ryan [4], Best, Hannah L. [5], Krakos, Kyra N. [1].

A comparison of current and historical reproductive biology in Tradescantia ohiensis between prairie and forest populations.

It is suggested that climate change may desynchronize plant-pollinator interactions by altering plant bloom time, which may decrease a plant’s fitness via pollen limitation. These shifts may have more pronounced impacts in different microclimates, which is vital to our understanding of how climate change affects plant phenology and reproduction. In this study, we examine the effects of climate change on the phenology of a native Missouri species, Tradescantia ohiensis, between forest and prairie populations. Using a historical data set (1938-1942) as reference, we compare historical and modern data (2012-2015) to determine if there is any significant difference in phenology, and if those differences are habitat specific. We also compare the pollination systems and reproductive ecology of T. ohiensis populations between forest and prairie habitats to assess to what extent climate change is affecting this species and its pollinator interactions. We addressed the following questions: 1) Is there a significant shift in 2012-2015 Tradescantia ohiensis phenology when compared to phenology data from 1938-1942? 2) Is there a significant shift in plant phenology in Tradescantia ohiensis between modern forest and prairie populations? 3) Is there a significant difference in pollination systems between modern forest and prairie Tradescantia ohiensis populations? 4) Is Tradescantia ohiensis experiencing pollen limitation in either habitat? To assess these questions, we conducted detailed pollinator observations, hand pollination treatments and fluorescent microscopy of pollen tube growth, and phenology measurements between populations in prairie and forest habitats and compared the data with data from our historical set. In prairie populations (2012-2014), most pollen flow is attributed to Apis mellifera. In forest populations, early results indicate that most pollen is moved by Bombus spp. Prairie populations are confirmed as self-compatible (p=0.05). We also see an eight-day early shift in this species when compared to 1938-1941 data. Our data suggests that anthropogenic climate change may indeed be having an impact on this species’ phenology and pollination system, causing both a temporal and spatial shift from historical norms.


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1 - Maryville University of St. Louis, College of Arts and Sciences, 650 Maryville University Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63141, USA
2 - University of Missouri, Division of Biologicial Sciences, 110 Tucker Hall, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
3 - 828 Lost Creek Ln, Washington, MO, 63090, USA
4 - 11203 Lakewood Crossing Drive, Bridgeton, MO, 63044, USA
5 - Maryville University, Biology, 1 Elannchester Dr., Manchester, MO, 63011, USA

Keywords:
climate change
phenology
pollination
reproductive biology
Commelinaceae.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PEC031
Abstract ID:941
Candidate for Awards:Ecological Section Best Undergraduate Presentation Award


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