The conspicuously large bracts influence reproductive success in Thunia alba (Orchidaceae)

Abstract

Abstract In angiosperms, diverse floral traits are adaptations to various selective pressures and ecological functions. So far, studies of floral traits in orchids have focused primarily on the labellum but never on bracts. A bumblebee-pollinated and rewarding terrestrial or epiphytic herb, Thunia alba (Lindley) H. G. Reichenbach (Orchidaceae), has conspicuously large and curly bracts that enclose the spur and pedicel of flowers. We hypothesized that these large bracts could protect spurs against nectar robbers. To confirm this hypothesis, we experimentally removed the bracts to record the changes in visiting behavior of mutualistic pollinators and antagonistic nectar robbers and evaluated their effects on reproduction success. Our result revealed that Bombus breviceps, the only pollinator of T. alba, shifts to nectar robbery when the bracts are removed, and the proportion of robbed flowers also significantly increased. T. alba was found to be pollinator-limited, whether in intact treatment or removed bract treatment. Removal of bracts had no effect on the visiting frequency of B. breviceps, but it reduced male and female reproductive success. Under complex environmental pressures with limited pollination, large bracts can protect against nectar robbers and enhance the fitness of T. alba.