Format: ORAL

Javier Valverde

Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain

Pollen dispersal in flowering plant species results from the joint action of the pollinators at each plant population. These dispersal agents determine the mating patterns between plants and ultimately the genetic composition of the populations as well as their degree of genetic isolation. Here, results from a series of studies will be introduced to highlight the importance of pollinators for the genetic dispersal of flowering plants at different scales. At the level of individual plants, a study demonstrates how pollinators can widely differ in their capacity of transporting pollen of different genetic diversity and origin. At the population level, a study will be used to evidence the role of these animals in generating contemporary patterns of pollen flow between plants. At the regional level, a study performed on several plant species demonstrates how pollinator diversity correlates with the genetic diversity and connectivity of plant populations. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that addressing the mechanisms of pollen flow is essential to explain the genetic patterns found within and between plant populations that ultimately provide insights into plant evolution.