Data from: Generalist-pollinated Arabis alpina exhibits floral scent variation at multiple scales
Data files
Oct 30, 2025 version files 80.49 KB
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NJB_Thosteman_etal_Arabis_alpina_DH.xlsx
40.73 KB
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NJB_Thosteman_etal_Arabis_alpina_Insect.xlsx
15.48 KB
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NJB_Thosteman_etal_Arabis_alpina_SPME.xlsx
22.80 KB
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README.md
1.48 KB
Abstract
Plants that depend on animals for reproduction often use complex floral traits to attract pollinators. Floral scent is recognized as part of the pollinator attraction module and can be shaped by plant-pollinator interactions. In recent decades, research has started to reveal the dynamic properties of floral scent, identifying patterns of spatial and temporal variation in floral scent emissions at various scales. Here, we investigate the levels at which floral scent varies in two populations of the generalist, perennial herb Arabis alpina (Brassicaceae) and if scent variation co-varies with pollinator activity, which would be expected if scent production is costly. First, we show the potential for both floral scent and pollinator communities to vary at a small geographic scale, between neighboring populations located some 4 km apart. Then, we investigate diel variation in floral scent emission rate and pollinator activity to test for synchronization between plants and pollinators. Further, we sampled volatiles from dissected floral parts to determine where floral scent compounds are produced in A. alpina. The two populations were pollinated by partly different communities of diurnally active insects, and scent composition, specifically petal and reproductive organ scent, differed between the two neighboring populations. However, we found no evidence of a diel synchronization between floral scent emission and insect activity, as A. alpina emits similar amounts of scent regardless of time of day and temperature. Whereas the spatial variation (within flowers, among populations) suggests specific and localized functions of the floral scent, the constant and stable scent emission indicates a low production and maintenance cost of the floral volatiles in this system.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.dr7sqvb8z
Description of the data and file structure
This data contains data on Arabis alpina L. (Brassicaceae) floral scent (absolute and relative amounts) as well as insect community data in two Italian populations of the same species. Data was collected in 2022 and 2023.
The floral scent data can be used to quantify diel patterns of floral scent emissions as well as tissue specific floral scent emission.
The insect data can be used to quantify visitation rates to A. alpina flowers.
Files and variables
All files contain 2 sheets of which the first is a README and the other contains raw data. This data can be used to quantify floral scent emission in absolute or relative amounts, as well as insect visitor community in two populations of Arabis alpina in 2022.
File: NJB_Thosteman_etal_Arabis_alpina_DH.xlsx
Description: Dynamic Headspace data on total floral scent emission collected across 24 hours.
Data file contains README.
File: NJB_Thosteman_etal_Arabis_alpina_Insect.xlsx
Description: Insect visitation rate to Arabis alpina flowers in 2022.
Data file contains README.
File: NJB_Thosteman_etal_Arabis_alpina_SPME.xlsx
Description: Solid Phase Micro Extraction data on relative floral scent abundance in flower tissues.
Data file contains README.
