Please cite this article in press as: Fernández, J. D., et al. Variation in the reproductive success of a narrow endemic plant: Effects of geographical distribution, abiotic conditions and pollinator community composition. Basic and Applied Ecology (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2015.02.006 ARTICLE IN PRESS BAAE-50864; No. of Pages 11 Basic and Applied Ecology xxx (2015) xxx–xxx Variation in the reproductive success of a narrow endemic plant: Effects of geographical distribution, abiotic conditions and pollinator community composition Juande D. Fernández a,∗ , Juan Lorite b , Jordi Bosch c , José M. Gómez a,d a Department of Ecology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain b Department of Botany, University of Granada, Granada, Spain c CREAF, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain d Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA-CSIC), Almería, Spain Received 2 June 2014; received in revised form 16 February 2015; accepted 20 February 2015 Abstract Geographic variation in reproductive output determines plant distribution. In this study, we investigate the geographic structure and the factors affecting reproductive success throughout the life cycle of the near-threatened crucifer Erysimum popovii across its entire distribution range. We worked in 21 populations, in which we measured fruit set, seed set, seed weight, seed germination in the laboratory, germination time, seedling emergence in the field, seedling survival and fecundity. We also sampled the pollinator assemblages visiting E. popovii at each site, as well as some population characteristics (population size and density, flower density of E. popovii and other co-occurring species, and rainfall). Germination success in the laboratory was very high (range: 0.56–0.98), but seedling emergence in the field was low (0.005–0.32). Beefly visitation rate was positively related to seedling emergence, whereas visitation rate by ants, beetles and other minor pollinator groups was negatively related to fruit set and positively related to germination time. Populations in sites with high density of co-occurring flowers produced fewer fruits. Most variables related to reproductive output varied widely across populations, but this variation did not show a clear regional structure. The low seedling survival may constitute a bottleneck for the recruitment of this species. Overall, less than 0.2% of the ovules produced developed into reproductive individuals. Our results suggest a metapopulation structure for E. popovii. Zusammenfassung Geographische Variabilität beim Reproduktionsergebnis bestimmt die Verteilung von Pflanzen. Hier untersuchen wir die geographische Struktur und die den Reproduktionserfolg bestimmenden Faktoren im Lebenszyklus des potentiell gefährde- ten Kreuzblüters Erysimum popovii in seinem gesamten Verbreitungsgebiet. Wir untersuchten 21 Populationen und maßen Fruchtansatz, Samenansatz, Samengewicht, Keimung im Labor, Keimungszeit, Auflaufen der Keimlinge im Freiland, Über- leben der Keimlinge und Fekundität. Wir erfassten auch die Bestäubergemeinschaften von Erysimum popovii an jedem Standort sowie einige Populationsparameter (Populationsgröße und -dichte, Blütendichte von Erysimum popovii und vergesellschafteten Arten und den Niederschlag). Der Keimungserfolg im Labor war sehr hoch (0.56 bis 0.98) aber im Freiland erschienen nur wenige Keimlinge (0.005 bis 0.32). Die Besuchshäufigkeit durch Wollschweber war positiv mit dem Keimungserfolg verbunden, ∗ Corresponding author. Tel.: +34 617 29 29 95. E-mail address: jdfernandez@ugr.es (J.D. Fernández). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2015.02.006 1439-1791/© 2015 Gesellschaft für Ökologie. Published by Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.