Fig. 2.

One important question to be addressed in the coming decade is how the genetic composition of pollen on a pollinator's body compares to the genetic composition of pollen deposited on the next conspecific stigma probed by that pollinator. In this figure two very different floral visitors (Bombus vagans and a Halictid bee) are shown visiting Dalea purpurea (Fabaceae). These visitors handle flowers differently, carry pollen on different parts of the body, have different foraging movement patterns, groom differently, contact different floral parts, carry different amounts of pollen, and probably cause very different patterns of pollen carry-over. Each of these differences might affect the genetic composition of pollen carried on the body and deposited on stigmas. Image by J. Karron.