DOI: 10.5061/dryad.dbrv15f9d
title: Assessing the links between pollinators and the genetic and epigenetic features of plant species with contrasting distribution ranges

description: In flowering plants, pollinators contribute to gene flow while they also
 respond to variation in plant traits together determined by genetic,
 epigenetic and environmental sources of variation. Consequently, a
 correlation between abundance and diversity of pollinators and the genetic
 and epigenetic characteristics of plant populations such as diversity or
 distinctiveness is expected. However, no study has explored these
 long-term dimensions of plant-pollinator interactions. Mediterranean
 narrow endemics often exhibit unexpectedly high levels of population
 genetic and epigenetic diversity. We hypothesize that pollinators may
 contribute to explain this pattern. Specifically, given the higher
 sensitivity of small, isolated population to gene flow, we expect a
 stronger association of pollinators with population genetic and epigenetic
 variability in narrow endemics than in widely distributed congeners. We
 studied five pairs of congeneric plant species, consisting of one narrow
 endemic with a restricted distribution and one widespread congener, found
 in the Sierra de Cazorla mountains (SE Spain). We characterized the
 pollinators in up to three populations per species to estimate their
 diversity and visitation rates. Additionally, we calculated the genetic
 and epigenetic diversity and distinctiveness of each population using AFLP
 markers and methylation-sensitive AFLP markers (MSAP), respectively. We
 assessed the relationship between pollinator diversity and visitation
 rates. The diversity of pollinators did not vary according to the plant´s
 distribution range, but visitation rate was higher in widespread species.
 As predicted, only narrow endemics showed a significant association
 between pollinators and their population genetic and epigenetic
 characteristics. Specifically, higher pollinator diversity and visitation
 rates entailed higher population genetic diversity and lower epigenetic
 distinctiveness. This work shows the importance of investigating the
 relationship between pollinator diversity and population genetics and
 epigenetics to better understand the evolution of plant rarity.
description: This raw data was obtained from field direct observations of
 pollinator visits on 14 plant species. It includes the following
 information: Plant genus and
 species. Plant distribution range.
 Plant population. Census id (each census
 consists on 3 minutes observation). Pollinator
 id. Number of open flowers at the census
 time. Number of visited flowers per pollinator id and
 census time.  
description: # Assessing the links between pollinators and the genetic and epigenetic
 features of plant species with contrasting distribution ranges
 [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.dbrv15f9d](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.dbrv15f9d) This raw data was obtained from direct observations of pollinator visits on 14 plant species. Each census consisted on 3 minutes observation. ## Description of the data and file structure The data includes the following information: 1. *plant_species*: Plant species. 2. *genus*: Generic name. 3. *species*: Specific name. 4. *distribution_range*: Plant distribution range, 2 values: 'widespread' or 'narrow.endemic'. 5. *population*: Plant population code. Codes in this variable indicates the plant species and population (see original paper for further information): 1. *Erodium cicutarium* (widespread; 3 populations): "ECICC", "ECICF" and "ECICT". 2. *Erodium cazorlanum* (endemism; 3 populaions): "ECAZF", "ECAZL" and "ECAZT". 3. *Convolvulus arvensis* (widespread; 2 populations): "CARV1" and "CARV2". 4. *Convolvulus boissieri* (endemism; 2 populations): "CBOI2" and "CBOI3". 5. *Teucrium similatum* (widespread; 3 populations): "TPOL1", "TPOL2" and "TPOL3". 6. *Teucrium rotundifolium* (endemism; 3 populations): "TROT1", "TROT2" and "TROT3". 7. *Anthyllis vulneraria* (widespread; 2 populations): "ANVU1" and "ANVU2". 8. *Anthyllis ramburii* (endemism; 3 populations): "ANRA1", "ANRA2" and "ANRA3". 9. *Viola odorata* (widespread; 2 populations): "VODO1" and "VODO2". 10. *Viola cazorlensis* (endemism; 3 populations): "VCAZ1", "VCAZ2" and "VCAZ3". 6. *census*: Census id ordered chronologically. 7. *pollinator_ID*: Pollinator identification to the finest taxonomical level. 'NA' stands for absence of pollinator visits. 8. *open_flowers*: Number of open flowers of the target plant species at the census time. 9. *visits*: Number of visited flowers per pollinator id at the census time.