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

授粉是维持生态系统和支持全球生物多样性的植物繁殖的关键过程。在所有可能影响授粉的已知因素中，窃取花蜜是最不被了解的因素之一。抢花蜜指的是一只动物从一朵花中提取花蜜，而不提供递送或接收花粉的对等服务，通常是通过在花的底部制造一个小洞来完成的。这项研究有望提高我们对抢劫花蜜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理解蜜汁抢劫的进化及其在保护授粉网络中的潜在作用。美国和秘鲁的本科生将通过参与研究获得经验，STEM的兴奋通过杜兰大学女生科技项目进行交流。这项研究本身通过改善对授粉的各个方面的理解来促进科学进步，这对国家福利具有影响；该项目还在一个针对K-12学生的项目中支持教育和多样性。这项研究将调查刺花蝇对蜂鸟传粉者觅食生态的影响，并评估其对安第斯植物Oreocallis Grand diflora(变形科)花粉流动和繁殖的影响。在空间行为和觅食生态方面，将使用无线电遥测跟踪来量化区域性蜂鸟传粉者对抢劫花蜜的反应。在没有常驻传粉者的情况下，非居民传粉者的探访增加导致异交率提高，从而可能通过提高异交率而对植物繁殖产生积极影响的假说将得到检验。研究经验将被提供给美国和秘鲁的本科生，研究过程将被传达给杜兰大学女生科技项目的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.