Spatial variation in selection in a plant-pollinator system in the wadis of Sinai, Egypt

Abstract

We studied an insect-plant pollination system in adjacent steep-sided wadis and a connecting plain in the mountains of southern Sinai (Egypt): this environment creates a strongly divided habitat, which may promote the local differentiation of sub-populations. We tested for spatial differences in phenotypic reproductive characters of the only plant flowering abundantly in early spring, Alkanna orientalis (Boraginaceae), and its major pollinator at that time of year, Anthophora pauperata (Apoidea, Anthophoridae). There were significant morphological differences between sub-populations of Alkanna, mainly between plants from the narrower wadis and those on the interconnecting plain. Flowers on the plain were larger, with wider corollas and more nectar standing crop; these plants retained more flowers on the inflorescence, but received many fewer visits to flowers. There was a significant selection gradient between flower size and maternal fitness (seed set) in the plain, but not elsewhere. Natural selection may have increased resources devoted to attracting insect visitors in response to fewer pollinating visits in the plain. Consistent with this explanation, by experimentally manipulating flower number per plant, we showed that within a wadi having more flowers on a plant secured more visits.