Wind pollination, sexual dimorphism, and changes in floral traits of Schiedea (Caryophyllaceae)

Abstract

Both changes in sex allocation and pollination mode may promote the separation of sexes in plant populations. Simultaneous evolution of wind pollination and dimorphism has occurred in Schiedea, where species with different female frequencies provide an opportunity to observe the effect of wind pollination on sex allocation and floral morphology. Differences among species in the ratio of anther to ovary volume were not the result of sex allocation trade-offs, but instead resulted from production of vestigial stamens in females; there were no changes in ovary volume in males and hermaphrodites (MH) of dimorphic species. Relative to hermaphroditic species, dimorphic species had more condensed inflorescences, a pattern often associated with wind pollination. Within dimorphic species, MH had longer filament lengths than females, and females had longer stigmas than MHs. These traits are characteristic of wind pollination, but there was no relationship between the degree of sexual dimorphism and female frequency. Ovary volume and ovule number and size had positive phenotypic correlations between females and MH of dimorphic species, making sex specialization more difficult. In dimorphic Schiedea species, selection for wind pollination may have a greater effect on floral traits than trade-offs in allocation between male and female function.