Data from: Left and right sides are needed: Seed development improves when both stigma lobes of Habenaria limprichtii (Orchidaceae) are pollinated
Data files
May 12, 2026 version files 55.86 KB
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Dataset_final.xlsx
52.86 KB
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README.md
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Abstract
Handedness, or behavioural lateralization, during foraging is widespread in animals. Although floral foraging by left- or right-biased pollinators has been reported, the effects of handedness on pollination rates and reproductive success have not been tested. We used the orchid Habenaria limprichtii to investigate handedness effects. This is an appropriate model system because the zygomorphic flowers have two separate left and right pollinia and stigma lobes. We surveyed 14 populations (755 plants; 6,518 flowers), checking natural rates of pollinia removal and deposition by moths according to three handedness levels: (1) left, (2) right, and (3) both sides of flowers. We conducted experimental cross-pollinations based on this same design to compare seed production. Roughly equal proportions of pollinia removal and deposition from both sides are the most common pattern across populations, with fewer removal/deposition on either the left or right side. When compared to fruits in which only one stigma lobe was pollinated (either left or right), seeds from pollen deposition onto both sides of the same flower show more embryos developed, with fewer embryo abortions, and fewer embryos absent (i.e., empty seeds). Our results suggest there are no handedness biases in pollinia removal and deposition in this species. Pollination of both stigma lobes by moths is consistent and probably increases auxin production, leading to ovule maturation and subsequent seed formation. Maintaining two receptive stigma lobes in the same flower may be selectively advantageous since it increases seed production in orchids with sectile pollinia.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.8gtht7719
Description of the data and file structure
The data includes three data sheets. The first one is natural rates of pollinia removal and deposition by moths according to three handedness levels: (1) left, (2) right, and (3) both sides of flowers of Habenaria limprichtii from 14 populations (755 plants; 6,518 flowers). The second one is the embryo development data for three hand cross-pollination treatments: (1) the left stigma lobe, (2) the right stigma lobe, or (3) both stigma lobes. Seeds were assigned to three categories: viable (mature embryo: well-developed and regular-shaped; large and small in the data sheet), aborted (collapsed, reduced, and/or incompletely developed embryo), and empty (transparent seed coat without an embryo). The third one is the surveyed population information.
Files and variables
File: Dataset_final.xlsx
Description: Sheet one includes the number of pollinaria removal and deposition, and the number of seeds with large, small, aborted, and empty embryos.
Variables
- N_flowers_left_pollinaria_removal: Number of flowers on the plant where pollinaria were removed only from the left side
- N_flowers_right_pollinaria_removal: Number of flowers where pollinaria were removed only from the right side
- N_flowers_both_pollinaria_removal: Number of flowers where pollinaria were removed from both sides
- N_flowers_no_pollinaria_removal: Number of flowers where no pollinaria were removed
- Total_n_flowers_pollinaria_removal: Total number of flowers examined for pollinaria removal on that plant. This equals the sum of the four previous removal categories
- N_flowers_left_stigma_deposition: Number of flowers receiving pollinaria deposition only on the left stigma
- N_flowers_right_stigma_deposition: Number of flowers receiving pollinaria deposition only on the right stigma
- N_flowers_both_stigmas_deposition: Number of flowers receiving pollinaria deposition on both stigmas
- N_flowers_no_stigma_deposition: Number of flowers with no pollinaria deposited on either stigma
- Total_n_flowers_pollinaria_deposition: Total number of flowers examined for stigma deposition. This equals the sum of the four deposition categories
- large: Number of large, well-developed seeds
- small: Number of small or partially developed seeds
- aborted: Number of ovules/seeds that began development but failed before maturing
- empty: Number of empty ovules/seed positions where no seed developed at all
- Total seeds checked: Total number of ovules/seeds examined for that flower.
Code/software
Any program that will open a spreadsheet, such as Excel, is recommended.
Access information
Other publicly accessible locations of the data:
- None
Data was derived from the following sources:
- None