Self-Compatibility and Reproductive Success of Oenothera drummondii subsp. drummondii: Is It Similar between Native and Non-Native Populations?

Juan B Gallego-Fernández,José G García-Franco

doi:10.3390/d13090431

Juan B Gallego-Fernández, José G García-Franco

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/d13090431

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Journal: Diversity	Publication Date: Sep 7, 2021
Citations: 1	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Universidad de Sevilla, Instituto de Ecología

Abstract

The mating system of plants widely distributed can change in native range but also in non-native habitats. Oenothera drummondii, native to the coastal dunes of the Gulf of Mexico, has been introduced to Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania. Hand self- and cross-pollination were performed to determine compatibility and to compare fruit set, fruit weight, seed set and germination characteristics from natives and non-natives populations and a comprehensive integral reproductive success index (IRSI) was built. Oenothera drummondii exhibited high self-compatibility and mixed reproductive systems in all populations. Characteristics of fruits and seeds from self- and cross-pollination varied within and between native and non-native populations and some had a positive clinal variation in the native range. The IRSI was sensitive to changes of fruit set, seed set and final germination of both self- and cross-pollination, showing differences between native populations. Differences in characteristics of fruits and seeds in the native and non-native ranges suggest the occurrence of distinct selection factors. The mixed reproductive system of O. drummondii suggests it can take advantage of local visitors in the native range, but also can provide advantages for the establishment at non-native sites giving the opportunity to interact with local flower visitors.

Highlights

Plant reproduction is central to the studies of population ecology, since it allows an understanding of the evolutionary processes of species throughout their distribution range [1,2]
Fruit and seed characteristics did not differ between pollination treatments within the populations, but there was a tendency towards higher values in the cross-pollination treatment
Seed set did not differ significantly among the two hand-pollination treatment within almost all native populations; only in BOL seed set were significantly higher in the cross-pollination (Table A2)

Summary

Introduction

Plant reproduction is central to the studies of population ecology, since it allows an understanding of the evolutionary processes of species throughout their distribution range [1,2]. Sexual reproduction in hermaphroditic plants generally includes self-pollination and cross-pollination, or a combination of both strategies [5,6]. Selfing resolves competition among individual plants for pollination services when there is a limitation of pollinators or mates [7], while outcrossing reduces inbreeding and increases genetic diversity. Studies in natural populations have indicated that mixed mating systems are frequent [5,8]. With this mating strategy, reproduction occurs by both self-fertilization (selfing) and mating with other individuals (outcrossing). The rate of selfing can vary widely among populations throughout their natural range as a result of both biotic and environmental factors [2]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion