Bayesian mimicry in the non-rewarding saprophytic orchid Danxiaorchis yangii

Bayesian mimicry, a type of deceptive pollination, is a complicated strategy used by non-rewarding plants to attract pollinators, but some hypotheses concerning this phenomenon have not been systematically verified. In order to show in detail a case of Bayesian mimicry on saprophytic orchid Danxiaorchis yangii in this study, we compared floral characteristics of Danxiaorchis yangii and Lysimachia alfredi as well as the pollination behavior of the insect Dufourea sp. towards the two species. Lysimachia alfredi can provide a reward to Dufourea sp., whereas Danxiaorchis yangii cannot. The flowering phenology and geographical distribution of these two plants are highly overlapping. Statistical analysis of quadrat and L. alfredi transplanting test data revealed that the fruit set rate of Danxiaorchis yangii was significantly positively correlated with the number of nearby L. alfredi individuals. In a glass cylinder experiment, Danxiaorchis yangii and L. alfredi attracted Dufourea sp. through...