Article,

The role of herbivores in the maintenance of a flower color polymorphism in wild radish

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Ecology, 84 (7): 1733--1743 (2003)
DOI: 10.1890/0012-9658(2003)084[1733:TROHIT]2.0.CO;2

Abstract

Plant species exhibiting polymorphisms with respect to flower color are widespread. Our understanding of the selection pressures that may maintain these color polymorphisms has primarily been confined to one set of organisms—pollinators. Yet, selection on flower color may also be driven by other agents, such as herbivores, especially in cases where pollinators and herbivores are using the same or correlated traits to select plants. A wealth of studies have documented pollinator preference for anthocyanin-recessive color morphs (A−; yellow and white flowers) of wild radish, Raphanus sativus, over anthocyanin-dominant morphs (A+; pink and bronz…(more)

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