Differences in Floral Scent and Petal Reflectance Between Diploid and Tetraploid Chamerion angustifolium

Genome duplication in plants is thought to be a route speciation due cytotype incompatibility. However, reduce cross-pollination between cytotypes animal-pollinated species, distinctive floral phenotypes, which would allow pollinator-mediated assortative mating flowers, are also expected. Chamerion angustifolium Holarctic species that forms hybrid zone diploid and tetraploid populations the North American Rocky Mountains. Extensive research has shown these differ many ways, including some traits, pollinators can discriminate cytotypes, leading mating. two signals commonly used by insect have not been measured for this namely petal colour scent. Using greenhouse-grown diploids tetraploids of C. from ploidy hybrid-zone Mountains, we show both scent reflectance cytotypes. These differences, along with differences flower size previously, could help explain observed previous studies. phenotypes may vary importance pollinators. While included common volatiles readily detected bumblebees, perceived bees based on their visual sensitivity across spectra. Thus, our results suggest volatile emissions more likely contribute pollinator discrimination highlight understanding sensory systems when examining signals.