Nectar robbing does not affect female reproductive success of an endangered <i>Antirrhinum</i> species, Plantaginaceae Elena Carrió Jaime Güemes 10.6084/m9.figshare.8174591.v1 https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Nectar_robbing_does_not_affect_female_reproductive_success_of_an_endangered_i_Antirrhinum_i_species_Plantaginaceae/8174591 <p><b>Background:</b> Nectar robbers in many plant species affect female reproductive success, usually decreasing the amount of seed produced by plants, which can affect populations persistence.</p> <p><b>Aims:</b> To evaluate the impact of nectar robbers on the viability of the populations, we investigated the effects of nectar robbing on the female reproductive success of a threatened snapdragon species in four populations over 2 years.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> We observed insect visitors and their behaviour and quantified the percentage of robbed and non-robbed flowers and the production of fruits and seeds.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> The results showed the degree of variation in nectar robbing among the populations and between years within the populations. Nectar robbers were detected in only two populations, and all were <i>Bombus terrestris</i>. Differences in flower size among populations were not related to the nectar robbing behaviour of <i>B. terrestris</i>. A comparison of the percentage of fructification and seed production between flowers that were and were not robbed showed no evidence of a negative effect of nectar robbing.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Our study reports for the first time on nectar robbing in <i>Antirrhinum</i> species and concludes that this does not affect the female reproductive success of individuals or the viability of <i>A. valentinum</i> populations.</p> 2019-05-23 10:12:55 bumble bee Bombus terrestris conservation endangered species nectar robbers pollinator behaviour reproductive fitness reproductive success