Entomology: Pollination Interactions and Plant Evolution

Vocabulary flashcards generated from lecture notes on entomology, focusing on pollination interactions and plant evolution.

Mutualism

interaction where both species benefit; in pollination, plants gain pollen transfer while pollinators receive food.

Coevolution

process by which two species evolve in response to changes in each other, particularly seen in specialized relationships between plants and pollinators.

Gymnosperms

group of plants that reproduce via seeds not enclosed in an ovary; they utilize wind for pollination.

Extrafloral nectaries

glands found outside of flowers, often on leaves or stalks, that produce nectar to attract pollinators.

Polinivory

the behavior of feeding on pollen, which can lead to mutualistic relationships between plants and pollinators.

Sporophyte

the diploid phase of the plant life cycle that produces spores.

Gametophyte

the haploid phase of the plant life cycle that produces gametes.

Wind pollination

A method of pollen dispersal where pollen is carried by the wind, common in gymnosperms.

Specialized pollinators

Pollinators that have evolved to pollinate a specific type of plant.

Nectar

A sugary fluid produced by plants to attract pollinators.

Pollinator specificity

The degree to which a pollinator species is specialized to pollinate particular plant species.

Commercial crop pollination

The act of pollinating crops that are grown for commercial purposes, often aided by generalist pollinators like honeybees.

Deceptive pollination

A strategy where plants attract pollinators without providing the expected rewards, often leading to wasted efforts by the pollinators.

Fossils of early flowers

The oldest known records of flowering plants, which help estimate the evolution of flowers.

Pollination efficiency

The success rate of pollen transfer leading to fertilization, often influenced by the method of pollination.

Plant-pollinator dependency

The reliance of a plant species on specific pollinators for successful reproduction.

Anther

The male part of a flower that produces pollen.

Stigma

The female part of a flower that receives pollen.

Species diversity

The variety of different species within an ecological community, which can increase interaction opportunities.

Self-fertilization

The process by which a flower fertilizes itself, often leading to reduced genetic diversity.

Pollination interactions

The dynamic relationships between plants and their pollinators, which can be mutualistic, parasitic, or commensal.

Honeybees as generalists

Honeybees are able to pollinate a wide range of plants, making them invaluable for agricultural crops.

Terrestrial plants

Plants that have adapted to live on land rather than in aquatic environments.

Bats as pollinators

Certain bat species that pollinate specific plants, often in arid ecosystems like cacti.

Diversity of Thysanoptera

A dominant group of insects with over 6,000 species, characterized by their unique wing structures and feeding habits.

Reproductive trade-offs

The compromises that organisms face in balancing reproduction and other life processes, such as energy allocation.

Life cycle alteration

The transitions between sporophyte and gametophyte generations in plants throughout their evolutionary history.

Asymmetrical mouthparts (Thysanoptera)

A characteristic feature in some Thysanoptera where one side of the mouth is significantly larger than the other.

Cactus pollination

Specialized pollination process involving bats, which visit cacti for nectar.

Plant adaptations in terrestrial environments

The physical and reproductive changes plants undergo to survive and reproduce on land.

General pollinators vs. specialized pollinators

General pollinators can pollinate multiple plant species, while specialized pollinators are limited to specific plants.

Factors complicating pollination relationships

Aspects that can lead to ineffective pollen transfer, such as generalist pollinators visiting the wrong plant species.

Pollinator extinction effects

The potential consequences if a specialized pollinator goes extinct, often impacting the paired plant species.

Pollen dispersal methods

Various techniques by which pollen is spread to fertilize plants, including wind and animal vectors.

Ants and extra-floral nectar

Ants may be attracted to plants that provide nectar from extrafloral nectaries, showcasing another interaction type.

Yucca and Yucca Moth relationship

An example of a mutualistic relationship where the Yucca moth pollinates the Yucca plant while laying its eggs.

Body size diversity in Thysanoptera

The variation in the physical sizes of different species within the Thysanoptera order.

Transition to seed-bearing plants

The evolutionary shift from spore reproduction in ferns to seed reproduction in gymnosperms.

Importance of pollinator diversity

A diverse range of pollinators increases resilience and efficiency of pollination across ecosystems.

Flower structure components

The main parts of a flower, including sepals, petals, stigma, and anther, each with specific roles.

Plant reproductive strategies

The various approaches plants utilize to reproduce, including reliance on pollinators and self-fertilization.

Negative effects of pollinator interactions

The potential drawbacks of mutualistic interactions, such as resource depletion for the pollinator.

Mutual benefits in pollination

The advantages both plants and insects gain from pollination interactions, such as food for pollinators and reproduction for plants.

Evolution of flower complexity

The gradual increase in floral traits and structures that enhance pollination success over evolutionary time.

Insect diversity and pollination

The relationship between the variability of insect species and the success of pollination in ecosystems.