Importance of intraspecific variation in the pollination and seed dispersal functions of a double mutualist animal species

Although most plants depend on different animals for pollination and seed dispersal, sometimes the same animal species provides both functions, being thus involved in what has been termed a ‘double mutualism’. Very little is known on the effectiveness of such species as both pollinators and seed dispersers, and even less on the intraspecific level differences at the contribution of an animal mutualist to plant fitness. In this study, we focused on the interaction between a Mediterranean shrub Cneorum tricoccon L. (Rutaceae) and the Balearic lizard Podarcis lilfordi L. (Lacertidae) in order to assess: (1) the role of this lizard as a legitimate pollinator of the plant (previously thought to be exclusively insect-pollinated), and (2) the intraspecific variation in the use of flowers and fruits by lizard individuals, comparing males, females and juveniles. We further evaluated whether lizards show different fruit size selection depending on sex and age, with potential consequences for seed...