IJMEC_2024v14n1

International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 10-17 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmec 13 alleles. Molecular markers, including DNA microsatellites, SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and other molecular markers, can help measure genetic diversity and identify different alleles (Xu et al., 2020). 3.3 The importance of genetic diversity Genetic diversity plays a crucial role in adaptive evolution. When environmental conditions change, genetic differences between individuals can lead to some individuals being better able to adapt to new environments, thereby increasing the chances of survival for species. This adaptive evolution helps plants survive and reproduce in constantly changing environments, maintaining population stability. Genetic diversity is crucial for the health and long-term survival of populations. Higher genetic diversity can enhance the population's resistance to environmental changes and stress. When threatened by diseases, pests, climate change, and other factors, populations with greater genetic diversity may be more likely to adapt and survive. Genetic diversity also has a profound impact on the functioning of ecosystems. Plant species play various roles in ecosystems, including energy flow, material cycling, and soil fertility maintenance. Higher genetic diversity helps maintain these functions, as different genetic variations may lead to different ecological characteristics and traits. This helps to improve the stability of the ecosystem and ensure its normal operation. 4 The Relationship between Pollen Pollinators and Plant Genetic Diversity Pollen pollinators in the plant world have a profound impact on plant genetic diversity. This interaction helps to maintain the stability and biodiversity of ecosystems. This article will explore the complex relationship between pollen pollinators and plants, including their impact on plant genetic diversity, adaptive evolution of plants towards pollen pollinators, and interactions in community dynamics. 4.1 The impact of pollen pollinators on plant genetic diversity 4.1.1 Hybridization and gene flow Pollen pollinators play an important role in the plant world, promoting hybridization and gene flow between plants. When pollen pollinators transmit pollen across different plant individuals, genetic information can be exchanged between different individuals, leading to new genetic combinations. This helps to increase the genetic diversity of plant populations, making them more resistant and adaptable. Hybridization can also generate new varieties, providing potential opportunities for ecosystem evolution. Iris tectorum Maxim. is a colorful flower that has evolved strategies to attract insects such as butterflies as pollinators (Figure 3). Due to the various color variations of iris flowers, different colored iris flowers attract different types of butterflies. This leads to butterflies promoting hybridization between different colored iris flowers by transferring pollen from one color of iris to another. This hybridization increases the genetic diversity of iris populations, creates new genetic combinations, and helps iris flowers better adapt to different environments (Zhang et al., 2019). Figure 3 Iris and butterflies

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