Abstract
Two closely related spring ephemeral plant species, Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchman’s Breeches) and Dicentra canadensis (Squirrel Corn), grow within Wooster Memorial Park, a deciduous forest in northeast Ohio. These two sister species inhabit very similar ecological niches and are both uniquely pollinated primarily by queen bumblebees (Bombus bimaculatus). Understanding how they coexist despite these similarities is relevant, particularly as climate change and other human-caused factors are impacting pollination and plant populations. While their peak flowering is typically separated by 1-2 weeks, with D. cucullaria flowering first, their flowering times often overlap. The main goals of this research are to determine if D. cucullaria and D. canadensis are reproductively isolated and if they interfere with each other's pollination. Additionally, the study aims to investigate how environmental factors like soil chemistry and topography might influence the spatial distribution of D. cucullaria and D. canadensis. The results of this study suggest that D. cucullaria and D. canadensis experience reproductive isolation, and distributions of plant populations are influenced by abiotic factors. Pollen crosses involving D. cucullaria found there to be no evidence of pollen interference, and D. canadensis experienced poor fertilization, regardless of pollen cross type. Therefore, we cannot make any definitive conclusions on whether D. cucullaria pollen interferes with D. canadensis pollination. We also found that the abiotic environment differed between the two species. Slope, soil moisture, pH, and nutrients present were also found to correlate with one another, as well as with the distribution of Dicentra species, suggesting D. cucullaria thrives on nutrient-rich slopes and D. canadensis thrives in drier valleys. Overall, this research seeks to better understand the environmental factors that may explain the coexistence of these sister species despite their close proximity and shared pollinator.
Advisor
Ison, Jennifer
Second Advisor
Lyon, Eva
Department
Biology; Earth Sciences
Recommended Citation
Martin, Lilian, "Abiotic Niche Differentiation and Reproductive Interference Between Closely Related Spring Ephemerals Dicentra cucullaria and Dicentra canadensis" (2026). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 13596.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/13596
Disciplines
Botany | Entomology | Forest Biology | Geology | Plant Biology | Soil Science
Publication Date
2026
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2026 Lilian Martin