Class
Article
College
College of Science
Department
English Department
Faculty Mentor
Robert Schaeffer
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Floral microbes are an overlooked aspect of the extended floral phenotype. They mediate interactions between flowers, pollinators, and other floral microbes that have significant implications for pollinator and plant health by altering floral nectar chemistry. The interactions between floral microbes and pollinators are critically important to understand as pollinators have a key role in both the crop and natural ecosystem world. Our aim is to explore how floral nectar traits may affect evolution and competition within the floral yeast Metchnikowia reukaufii, the floral bacteria Bacillus subtilis, and other microbes isolated from Brassica rapa nectar. To address this, we are conducting a multigenerational evolution study of multiple yeast and bacteria isolates within different artificial nectar mimics. To quantify shifts in microbial resource use and performance, we are quantifying nectar quality via shifts in sugar concentration (BRIX) and colony-forming units (CFUs). While no differences in CFU counts were observed in the presence of sinigrin, there are significant differences in nectar use based on both nectar background and generation. BRIX values show that both B. subtilis and M. reukaufii consume less sugar over generational time. Additionally, more sugar is consumed within the sinigrin nectar background than control nectar. To determine how microbe-induced shifts may impact floral evolution, we also conducted pollinator preference assays with isolates from each background using artificial flowers. Our results showed no conclusive evidence of B. impatiens preference between species, generation, or nectar background (containing glucosinolate sinigrin or not). These results can be further tested using modified methodology to decisively conclude how microbe-induced nectar shifts can change B. impatiens nectar preferences. Understanding the evolutionary relationships between nectar colonizing microbes and bees can provide more context for complex interactions that manage pollination both in agriculture and natural systems.
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-8-2022 12:00 AM
Included in
Evolution of Floral Microbes and the Resulting Effects on Pollinator Preferences
Logan, UT
Floral microbes are an overlooked aspect of the extended floral phenotype. They mediate interactions between flowers, pollinators, and other floral microbes that have significant implications for pollinator and plant health by altering floral nectar chemistry. The interactions between floral microbes and pollinators are critically important to understand as pollinators have a key role in both the crop and natural ecosystem world. Our aim is to explore how floral nectar traits may affect evolution and competition within the floral yeast Metchnikowia reukaufii, the floral bacteria Bacillus subtilis, and other microbes isolated from Brassica rapa nectar. To address this, we are conducting a multigenerational evolution study of multiple yeast and bacteria isolates within different artificial nectar mimics. To quantify shifts in microbial resource use and performance, we are quantifying nectar quality via shifts in sugar concentration (BRIX) and colony-forming units (CFUs). While no differences in CFU counts were observed in the presence of sinigrin, there are significant differences in nectar use based on both nectar background and generation. BRIX values show that both B. subtilis and M. reukaufii consume less sugar over generational time. Additionally, more sugar is consumed within the sinigrin nectar background than control nectar. To determine how microbe-induced shifts may impact floral evolution, we also conducted pollinator preference assays with isolates from each background using artificial flowers. Our results showed no conclusive evidence of B. impatiens preference between species, generation, or nectar background (containing glucosinolate sinigrin or not). These results can be further tested using modified methodology to decisively conclude how microbe-induced nectar shifts can change B. impatiens nectar preferences. Understanding the evolutionary relationships between nectar colonizing microbes and bees can provide more context for complex interactions that manage pollination both in agriculture and natural systems.