Floral scents of a deceptive plant are hyperdiverse and under population-specific phenotypic selection

Abstract

ABSTRACTFloral scent is a key mediator in plant-pollinator interactions; however, little is known to what extent intraspecific scent variation is shaped by phenotypic selection, with no information yet in deceptive plants. We recorded 291 scent compounds in deceptive moth fly-pollinated Arum maculatum from various populations north vs. south of the Alps, the highest number so far reported in a single plant species. Scent and fruit set differed between regions, and some, but not all differences in scent could be explained by differential phenotypic selection in northern vs. southern populations. Our study is the first to provide evidence that phenotypic selection is involved in shaping geographic patterns of floral scent in deceptive plants. The hyperdiverse scent of A. maculatum might result from the plant’s imitation of various brood substrates of its pollinators.