Pollination: Cooperation or Arms Race?

de Haan, Wytse (2020) Pollination: Cooperation or Arms Race? Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

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Abstract

On the surface biotic pollination may appear to be a cooperative effort between pollinator and plant. We present an in depth analysis of the pollination process and several related adaptations in plants and pollinators. We show a high degree of competition between plants and pollinators. The primary focus is on honeybees as pollinators. Honeybees tend to collect and consume large amounts of pollen for its protein, which then cannot be used for pollination. This signifies conflicting interests. It is found that both flowering plants and bees show adaptations that increase their benefit from pollination. Flowering plants take advantage of electrostatic forces to transfer pollen from anther to pollinator, and from pollinator to stigma. Some plants produce pollen with morphological features that interfere in the pollen collection by bees, meaning these pollen can be saved for pollinators that do not consume them. Bees are shown to generate positive charge during flight, aiding in electrostatic transfer. Bees are covered in hairs that aid in pollen collection and subsequent removal through grooming behaviour, plus their hind legs feature pollen storing organs. Since the adaptations of bees and flowering plants are in conflict, it is concluded that pollination is not a cooperative effort, but rather an evolutionary arms race

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Kooi, C.J. van der
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	Dutch
Date Deposited:	30 Jun 2020 09:41
Last Modified:	30 Jun 2020 09:43
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/22290

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