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Abstract
Pollen size variation is a common phenomenon within and among plant species. In this study, we investigated the role of pollen size in the transportation of grains between Ipomoea purpurea individuals by bumblebees. We also sought to characterize pollen surface traits and compare them between different pollen size morphs. We hypothesized that 1) pollen size will influence transport between flowers, and 2) pollen traits will vary between pollen size morphs. We found that pollen size does affect transport and does so differentially at various points. We also found that for the suit of surface traits we measured, there is variation among individuals as well as significant correlations within and among morphs. These results lend evidence to the idea that differences in the physical traits of pollen can influence pollen transport.