Brassica rapa plants pollinated for 9 generations by bumblebees (left) and by hoverflies (right). (Gervasi and Schiestl)
In just 11 generations of pollination by two different species, plant evolution diverged drastically in height, flower fragrance, flower colour, and reliance on the pollinator for reproduction. A new study was conducted in a greenhouse instead of in the field in order to create an experimental system. Researchers observed how the plant Brassica rapa evolved when pollinated by either bumblebees or hoverflies. Their findings showed a drastic change in plant evolution driven solely by pollinator species.
Authors:
Daniel D. L. Gervasi & Florian P Schiestl
Corresponding author:
Daniel Gervasi, University of Zurich, Switzerland, Email: daniel.gervasi@systbot.uzh.ch
Original paper published in Nature Communications on March 14, 2017.
