Person:
López Teixido, Alberto

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First Name
Alberto
Last Name
López Teixido
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/87101
Affiliation
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Faculty / Institute
Ciencias Biológicas
Department
Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución
Area
Botánica
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Author: Barrio, Miguel × Subject: 581.5 ×

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    Size Matters: Understanding the Conflict Faced by Large Flowers in Mediterranean Environments
    (The Botanical Review, 2016) López Teixido, Alberto; Barrio, Miguel; Valladares, Fernando
    Flower size is a key trait in the reproductive ecology of animal-pollinated plants. However, pollinator-mediated selection does not always modulate this trait and environmental conditions and/or antagonist interactions may favor smaller flowers. We evaluate the occurrence of a large-flowered family in a hot and dry Mediterranean environment, mediated by a cost-benefit balance and a male–female conflict. Large flowers have sizeable benefits in terms of pollination and reproductive success and pollinators mediate selection through male function, but female fitness is context-dependent. High floral production and maintenance costs and florivore incidence in large flowers limit female function, which counteracts pollinator-mediated selection. Large flowers are highly costly in the Mediterranean and flower size is mediated by a sexual conflict between the benefits of male function and the costs of the female one. However, a short floral longevity, occasional pollen limitation and selection through maleness keep the existence of large flowers in these environments.