ESTIMATED RATES OF INTRAGAMETOPHYTIC SELFING IN LYCOPODS

Abstract

Homosporous pteridophytes are characterized by the production of free‐living, potentially bisexual gametophytes. Because of the close proximity of archegonia and antheridia on the same thallus, it has been assumed that high rates of intragametophytic self‐fertilization would predominate in natural populations of homosporous pteridophytes. Using enzyme electrophoresis we determined sporophytic genotype frequencies for natural populations of three lycopod species, Lycopodium clavatum, L. annotinum, and Huperzia miyoshiana. Based on these genotype frequencies and the estimation procedures of Holsinger (1987), the estimated rates of intragametophytic selfing in these species are extremely low. Estimated selfing rates were greater than 0.000 in only two of 13 populations of L. clavatum, one of six populations of L. annotinum, and one of four populations of H. miyoshiana. Despite the potential for intragametophytic self‐fertilization, the gametophytes of these three lycopod species predominantly cross‐fertilize, although the mechanism(s) promoting intergametophytic matings are unknown. These results are similar to those obtained for homosporous ferns and Equisetum arvense. It is therefore clear that most homosporous pteridophyte species investigated do not exhibit high rates of intragametophytic self‐fertilization; in contrast, intergametophytic matings predominate.