Short Course Description
The course will introduce the students the fundamentals of reproductive biology in plants from an evolutionary perspective. The course will span subjects from plant mating systems, through plant-pollinator interactions and pollinator-mediated selection, to the ecosystem level and agricultural applications. The students will understand the evolutionary and ecological mechanisms that drive reproductive strategies and flower evolution in plants. The course materials will combine theoretical, empirical, and experimental literature.
Course topics:
1. Flower morphology
2. Mating systems in plants; the theory of sex allocation
3. Selfing and out-crossing strategies
4. Abiotic pollination ? wind and water
5. Biotic pollination: advertisement and reward
6. Pollinator-mediated selection on floral traits
7. Honest signaling and cheating
8. Specialization and generalization in pollination
9. Pollination communities and networks
10. Pollination in agriculture
The course includes two full-day field laboratory, in 21 March and 4 April, 2023. These days are obligatory.
Full Syllabus
