Maintenance of flower color dimorphism in Ophiorrhiza japonica (Rubiaceae): responses to fluctuating temperatures in a dolomite Karst region

Our results revealed no significant difference in visitation frequencies between the morphs. However, the ratio of pink to white morph differed significantly between spring and winter. The temperature of pink morph was higher than that of white morph at temperatures ranging from 0-24°C, while white morph had higher temperatures than pink morph at -4°C. Based on the aforementioned results, pollinators are not the primary factor influencing the distribution of flower colors in spring and winter. Furthermore, the response of different flower colors to temperature suggests that temperature is more likely the factor driving changes in flower coloration. Our study provides further evidence supporting the pleiotropic effect hypothesis, which posits that flower color polymorphism can be maintained by fluctuating temperatures in the dolomite Karst region. This study offers a potential model for explaining flower color polymorphism in Karst regions.