AUTHOR=Ramos Sergio E. , Schiestl Florian P. 

TITLE=Evolution of Floral Fragrance Is Compromised by Herbivory

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2020

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/ecology-and-evolution/articles/10.3389/fevo.2020.00030

DOI=10.3389/fevo.2020.00030

ISSN=2296-701X

ABSTRACT=Despite the paramount role of floral fragrance in pollinator attraction and reproduction in flowering plants, we know little about its evolution under natural conditions. Here we show that by reducing herbivore load with pesticide application, plants evolved more fragrant flowers within 4 generations compared to plants with normal figures of herbivory. We interpret this finding in the context of relieved physiological and ecological trade-offs with fewer herbivores, selecting for increased floral signaling in plants. Our study confirms earlier findings of experimental evolution under highly controlled and simplified conditions in the greenhouse.