Yeast-nectar interactions: metacommunities and effects on pollinators

About 90% of all flowering plant species are pollinated by animals. Animals are attracted to flowers because they often provide food in the form of nectar and pollen. While floral nectar is assumed to be initially sterile, it commonly becomes colonized by yeasts after animals have visited the flowers. Although yeast communities in floral nectar appear simple, community assembly depends on a complex interaction between multiple factors. Yeast colonization has a significant effect on the scent of floral nectar, foraging behavior of insects and nectar consumption. Consumption of nectar colonized by yeasts has been shown to improve bee fitness, but effects largely depended on yeast species. Altogether, these results indicate that dispersal, colonization history and nectar chemistry strongly interact and have pronounced effects on yeast metacommunities and, as a result, on bee foraging behavior and fitness. Future research directions to better understand the dynamics of plant-microbe-pollinator interactions are discussed.

Automated summary

About 90% of flowering plant species rely on animals for pollination, as animals are attracted to flowers for nectar and pollen. Yeast colonization of floral nectar can have significant effects on insect behavior and fitness, with outcomes depending on yeast species. Understanding the dynamics of plant-microbe-pollinator interactions is crucial for further research in this field.