DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The effects of nectar robbery on territorial pollinators and plant reproduction

光合作用是植物繁殖的关键过程，维持生态系统并促进全球生物多样性。在所有已知的可能影响授粉的因素中，花蜜掠夺是最不了解的因素之一。花蜜掠夺是指当动物从花中提取花蜜而不提供花粉传递或花粉接收的相互服务时，通常通过在花的基部创建一个小孔来完成。这项研究有望提高我们对花蜜掠夺如何影响植物和传粉者之间微妙平衡的理解。这些知识将有助于我们更好地了解花蜜抢劫的演变及其在传粉网络保护中的潜在作用。 美国和秘鲁的本科生将通过参与研究获得经验，并通过杜兰大学女子科技项目传达STEM的兴奋。 研究本身通过提高对授粉各方面的理解促进了科学进步，这对国家福利有影响;该项目还支持K-12学生项目中的教育和多样性。本研究将调查花蜜抢劫的影响Diglossa flowerpiercers（家庭：Thraupidae）的蜂鸟传粉者的觅食生态将被调查，并对安第斯植物Oreocallis grandiflora（家庭：Proteaceae）的花粉流动和繁殖的后果进行评估。 领土蜂鸟授粉花蜜抢劫的空间行为和觅食生态方面的反应将量化使用无线电遥测跟踪。假设花蜜抢劫可能有一个积极的影响，通过提高异交率所造成的非居民传粉者在没有驻地领土传粉者的访问增加植物繁殖将进行测试。研究经验将提供给美国和秘鲁的本科生，研究过程将传达给杜兰大学女子科技项目的K-12学生。

Pollination is a critical process for plant reproduction that sustains ecosystems and bolsters global biodiversity. Of all known factors that may impact pollination, nectar robbery is one of the least understood. Nectar robbery refers to when an animal extracts nectar from a flower without providing the reciprocal service of pollen delivery or pollen receipt, and is usually done by creating a small hole in the base of the flower. This research is expected to improve our understanding of how nectar robbery impacts the delicate balance between plants and pollinators. This knowledge will help us to better understand the evolution of nectar robbery and its potential role in the conservation of pollination networks. Undergraduates in the US and Peru will gain experience by participation in the research, and STEM excitement communicated through the Tulane University Girls in Science and Technology program. The research itself promotes the progress of science through improved understanding of the dimensions of pollination, which has implications for national welfare; the project also supports education and diversity in a project with K-12 students. This research will investigate the effects of nectar robbery by Diglossa flowerpiercers (Family: Thraupidae) on the foraging ecology of hummingbird pollinators will be investigated, and the consequences for pollen flow and reproduction of the Andean plant Oreocallis grandiflora (Family: Proteaceae) assessed. The response of territorial hummingbird pollinators to nectar robbery in terms of spatial behavior and foraging ecology will be quantified using radio telemetry tracking. The hypothesis that nectar robbery may have a positive effect on plant reproduction via improved outcrossing rates caused by an increase in visitation by non-resident pollinators in the absence of resident territorial pollinators will be tested. Research experience will be provided to undergraduates in the US and Peru, and the research process will be communicated to K-12 students in the Tulane University Girls in Science and Technology program.