A1 Journal article (refereed)
Measuring, comparing and interpreting phenotypic selection on floral scent (2022)

Opedal, Ø. H., Gross, K., Chapurlat, E., Parachnowitsch, A., Joffard, N., Sletvold, N., Ovaskainen, O., & Friberg, M. (2022). Measuring, comparing and interpreting phenotypic selection on floral scent. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 35(11), 1432-1441. https://doi.org/10.1111/jeb.14103

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Opedal, Øystein H.; Gross, Karin; Chapurlat, Elodie; Parachnowitsch, Amy; Joffard, Nina; Sletvold, Nina; Ovaskainen, Otso; Friberg, Magne

Journal or series: Journal of Evolutionary Biology

ISSN: 1010-061X

eISSN: 1420-9101

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 30/09/2022

Volume: 35

Issue number: 11

Pages range: 1432-1441

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jeb.14103

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/83451

Abstract

Natural selection on floral scent composition is a key element of the hypothesis that pollinators and other floral visitors drive scent evolution. The measure of such selection is complicated by the high-dimensional nature of floral scent data and uncertainty about the cognitive processes involved in scent-mediated communication. We use dimension reduction through reduced-rank regression to jointly estimate a scent composite trait under selection and the strength of selection acting on this trait. To assess and compare variation in selection on scent across species, time and space, we reanalyse 22 datasets on six species from four previous studies. The results agreed qualitatively with previous analyses in terms of identifying populations and scent compounds subject to stronger selection but also allowed us to evaluate and compare the strength of selection on scent across studies. Doing so revealed that selection on floral scent was highly variable, and overall about as common and as strong as selection on other phenotypic traits involved in pollinator attraction or pollen transfer. These results are consistent with an important role of floral scent in pollinator attraction. Our approach should be useful for further studies of plant–animal communication and for studies of selection on other high-dimensional phenotypes. In particular, our approach will be useful for studies of pollinator-mediated selection on complex scent blends comprising many volatiles, and when no prior information on the physiological responses of pollinators to scent compounds is available.

Keywords: scent; flowers (plants); natural selection; pollinators; plants

Free keywords: floral fragrance; floral scent; natural selection; plant–pollinator interactions; reduced-rank regression; selection gradient

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 2