Idea paper: Extended benefits of pollinator‐mediated microbial dispersal among flowers

Abstract Since the production of large and conspicuous flowers can be costly, self‐pollinated or asexually reproducing plants are expected to lose characters for pollinator attraction. However, some still produce despite not relying on pollinators fertilization, suggesting overlooked benefits receiving flower visitors. Here, we present visitor‐mediated microbial dispersal as a potential benefit Recent studies revealed that diverse microbes inhabit plant surfaces tissues these substantially host plants. Animal visitors disperse microbes. migrate seeds, enhanced via modulate communities next generations. Microbial may improve fitness increased opportunities receive mutualistic seeds higher variances in seed function “bet‐hedging.” We test this hypothesis by comparing performance from experimentally visitor‐excluded naturally animal‐visited control flowers. Further experiments with sterilization microbe inoculation confirm contribution specific taxa community structures observed effects performances.