Post-pollination barriers contribute to coexistence of partially
pollinator-sharing Arisaema species (Araceae)
Abstract
Reproductive isolation plays an important role in maintaining the
species integrity of sympatric close relatives. For sympatric Arisaema
species, interspecific gene flow is expected to be effectively prevented
by pre-pollination barriers, particularly strong pollinator isolation
mediated by fungus gnats. However, due to the lack of quantitative
studies combining multiple pre- and post-pollination barriers, it is not
known whether pre-pollination isolation is complete, and whether
post-pollination barriers also contribute to reproductive isolation
among some Arisaema species. We studied five pre- and post-pollination
barriers (geographic isolation, phenological isolation, pollinator
isolation, hybrid fruit production, and hybrid seed formation) among
three sympatric Arisaema species (A. bockii, A. lobatum, and A.
erubescens). The strength of individual barriers and their contribution
to total isolation were quantified.The habitat elevations of the three
Arisaema species mostly overlapped. Although phenological isolation and
pollinator isolation reduced the frequencies of interspecific pollen
transfer among these species, the partial overlap of flowering times and
pollinator assemblages resulted in pre-pollination isolation that does
not adequately prevent interspecific hybridization. Post-pollination
barriers also contributed to reproductive isolation at the hybrid fruit
and seed formation stages.We propose that, although pre-pollination
barriers are expected to contribute more to total isolation than
post-pollination barriers in Arisaema, pre-pollination barriers may not
completely prevent interspecific pollen transfer among some Arisaema
species. Post-pollination barriers, which are generally ignored, may
also have contributed significantly to reproductive isolation in
Arisaema.