Noncorrelated effects of seed predation and pollination on the perennial herb Ruellia nudiflora remain spatially consistent

By simultaneously manipulating both seed predator and pollinator effects on the perennial herb Ruellia nudiflora at two sites in Yucatan (Mexico), the present study evaluated (1) whether a correlation (interaction) existed between seed predator and pollinator effects on R. nudiflora seed production and (2) whether such an interaction varied geographically. We used three populations per site, and a total of 20 plants per population (N = 120). Groups of five plants were randomly chosen at each population to simultaneously receive one of two seed predator and pollinator exclosure levels (present or excluded in each case). These two factors were fully crossed, resulting in each group being subjected to one of four possible combinations: pollinators excluded/herbivores present; herbivores excluded/pollinators present; herbivores excluded/pollinators excluded; or control (neither excluded). Response variables were the number of seeds produced per plant and the proportion of attacked fruits by seed predators per plant. Seed predators had a large impact on R. nudiflora seed production but did not show any preference for fruits from plants not excluded from pollinators. In addition, the pollination treatment was not significant, indicating no effect of pollinators on reproductive success. These findings resulted in a nonsignificant herbivory x pollination interaction, which was consistent across sites, indicating lack of correlated selection of these two guilds on R. nudiflora seed production. (C) 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 96, 800-807.