Effective Number Of Pollen Donors Research Articles

Limited-Distance Pollen Dispersal and Low Paternal Diversity in a Bird-Pollinated Self-Incompatible Tree.

Bird pollination in Asia is regarded as an uncommon phenomenon and, therefore, only a few investigations on mating pattern and paternity in fruits of Asian bird-pollinated plants have been conducted. Here, we examined spatial genetic structure, pollen dispersal, and multiple paternity in a natural population of Bombax ceiba (B. ceiba) (Malvaceae) in Hainan Island, South China, using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. A low genetic diversity (He = 0.351 ± 0.0341 and 0.389 ± 0.043, respectively, for adults and offspring) and bottleneck effects were observed. Genetic kinship was significant within 400 m or in 1,800–3,800 m. Both the mating pattern and paternity analysis confirmed obligate xenogamy and a low multiple paternity in B. ceiba. There was a strongly negative relationship between the frequency of matings and the distance between mating pairs. The average pollen dispersal distance was 202.89 ± 41.01 m (mean ± SE) and the farthest distance of > 1 km was recorded. Realized mating events showed an extremely leptokurtic distribution within 1,200 m, suggesting that the pollen dispersal distance was consistent with the optimal foraging theory of generalist birds such as Zosterops spp. and Pycnonotus spp. Paternity per tree ranged from two to six and the average effective number of pollen donors per maternal plant was 3.773, suggesting a low level of paternity diversity as compared to other bird-pollinated plants. We concluded that optimal foraging behavior by generalist birds could explain the leptokurtic pollen dispersal distribution and predominantly near-neighbor matings in B. ceiba. The limited pollen dispersal distance and low multiple paternity were consistent with low fruit setting rate (3.27 ± 0.93%) in this self-incompatible tree, which was caused mainly by the restricted flight distance of birds and human disturbances. Low genetic diversity and significant spatial genetic structure might have largely resulted from logging and human collection of fruits.

Extensive pollen-mediated gene flow across intensively managed landscapes in an insect-pollinated shrub native to semiarid habitats.

Our knowledge of the impact of landscape fragmentation on gene flow patterns is mainly drawn from tropical and temperate ecosystems, where landscape features, such as the distance of a tree to the forest edge, drive connectivity and mating patterns. Yet, the structure of arid and semiarid plant communities - with open canopies and a scattered distribution of trees - differs greatly from those that are well-characterized in the literature. As a result, we ignore whether the documented consequences of landscape fragmentation on plant mating and gene flow patterns also hold for native plant communities in arid and semiarid regions. We investigated the relative contribution of plant traits, pollinator activity, and individual neighbourhood in explaining variation in mating and gene flow patterns of an insect-pollinated semiarid arborescent shrub, Ziziphus lotus, at three sites embedded in highly altered agriculture landscapes. We used 14 SSRs, seed paternity analyses, and individual mixed effect mating models (MEMMi) to estimate the individual mating variables and the pollen dispersal kernel at each site. Individual spatial location, flower density, and floral visitation rate explained most of the variation of mating variables. Unexpectedly, individual correlated paternity was very low and shrubs surrounded by the most degraded matrix exhibited an increased fraction of pollen immigration and a high effective number of pollen donors per mother shrub. Overall, our results reveal that an active pollinator assemblage ensures highly efficient mating, and maintains pollen-mediated gene flow and notable connectivity levels, even in highly altered landscapes, potentially halting genetic isolation within and between distant sites.

Estimating genetic diversity, mating system and pollen dispersal to inform ex situ conservation of the tree Genipa americana L.

AbstractUsing microsatellite loci, we assessed the mating system and genetic diversity of the dioecious tropical tree Genipa americana in a natural population (NP) and a progeny test (PT). For NP, we also estimated the paternity correlation within and among fruits and mean pollen dispersal distance. As expected for dioecious species, all offspring originated from outcrossing (t = 1). Mating among relatives (1 − ts) and paternity correlation (rp) were variable among progenies (1 − ts = 0.03–0.19; rp = 0.04–0.40), but greater in NP than in PT. Fixation index (F) was generally significant and lower in adults than in offspring, indicating selection against inbred individuals. Paternity correlation was higher within (0.40) than among (0.26) fruits, indicating a lower effective number of pollen donors (Nep) within (2.5) than among (3.8) fruits. Due to the higher rp in NP, the effective size within progenies (Ne) was lower (2.69) than PT (3.27). The pollen dispersal pattern was strongly leptokurtic, suggesting long-distance pollen dispersal (mean of 179 m). The results show that both populations can be used for seed collection in environmental reforestation programmes; however, considering that PT is structured in maternal progenies, NP is more suitable for seed collection due to the lower probability of mating among related trees.

Victoria L. Sork—Recipient of the 2020 Molecular Ecology Prize

Victoria L. Sork—Recipient of the 2020 Molecular Ecology Prize

Fine-scale spatial genetic structure, mating, and gene dispersal patterns in Parkia biglobosa populations with different levels of habitat fragmentation.

PremiseA good understanding of genetic variation and gene dispersal in tree populations is crucial for their sustainable management, particularly in a context of rapid environmental changes. West African Sudanian savannahs are being fragmented and degraded, partly due to expansion of crop cultivation and monocultures that reduce tree density and may impact pollinators. The population dynamics of important indigenous trees could also be affected. We investigated the influence of habitat fragmentation on patterns of genetic diversity and gene dispersal of a key Sudanian agroforestry tree species, Parkia biglobosa.MethodsUsing 10 highly polymorphic nuclear microsatellites, we genotyped 2475 samples from reproductive trees, seedlings, and embryos in four tree populations presenting different levels of habitat fragmentation.Results Parkia biglobosa presented similar high genetic diversity across the four populations studied. Genetic diversity and inbreeding were similar between adults and embryo cohorts. In all four populations, the selfing rate was less than 1%. The effective number of pollen donors per tree was high (N EP~ 18–22), as was the pollen immigration rate (from 34 to 74%). Pollen dispersal was characterized by a fat‐tailed distribution with mean estimates exceeding 200 m. In three populations, stem diameter had a pronounced effect on male reproductive success. Here, the highest male reproductive success was observed in trees with a diameter at breast height between 60 and 75 cm.ConclusionsAt the scale analyzed, fragmentation does not seem to pose limitations to gene flow in any of the sites investigated, regardless of the landscape configuration associated with the different tree stands. The study provides useful insights on the reproductive biology of an important tree species in the West African savannahs.

Using spatial genetic structure of a population of Swietenia macrophylla King to integrate genetic diversity into management strategies in Southwestern Amazon

The aims of this study were to investigate the intrapopulation spatial genetic structure (SGS) of a preserved Swietenia macrophylla population in a managed forest in Southwestern Amazon, in Acre state, Brazil, and assess the genetic parameters that underlie the conceptual framework that guides conservation and management strategies. The study was conducted in Annual Production Unit (APU) 3, where 83 adult trees (DBH ≥ 40 cm) were mapped (1650 ha). The diameter at breast height (DBH) was measured and the vascular exchange was sampled. Leaf tissues were collected from 187 juvenile individuals within a radius of 20 m of adults. The population presented high heterozygosity (Ho) for adult (0.767) and juvenile (0.763) individuals, but significantly high allelic richness (R) and significantly lower fixation index (F) in adults (R = 10.3, F = 0.048) than juveniles (R = 9.3, F= 0.119). The F value significantly higher for juveniles, suggesting selection against inbred individuals between juvenile and adult life stages. SGS was detected for adults up to 300 m. Mating was mainly through outcrossing (0.97–1.0), but some crossing occurred among related trees (0.02–0.16) and were correlated (rpm = 0.06–0.22), indicating a mean effective number of pollen donors ranging from 4.5 to 18.2. Pollen dispersal distances reached 3905 m (mean of 1472 m), and mean effective pollination neighbor area of 792 ha. The effective population size (Ne) within family (2.73) was lower than expected for random mating populations. The number of trees (m) required for seed collection was estimated at 55 non-inbreed and not related trees to each other. The core collection consisted of 42 (50.6%) adults across the area. These individuals should be included in seed collection as they represent 100% of the total detected genetic diversity. The inclusion of S. macrophylla on the list of species available for exploitation is not indicated, because the species requires cross breeding for its maintenance and logging reduce the Ne and may negatively impact the pattern of genetic diversity. These will significantly increase the risk of genetic erosion and population extinction due to a lack of adaptive ability. Adults serve as pollen donors that ecologically and genetically contribute to the maintenance of gene flow and Ne. Because it is recognized as a threatened species worldwide, and due to the fact that in areas of natural occurrence the species presents low-density and shows difficulty establishing natural regeneration, we recommend that S. macrophylla be protected from selective logging.

Stepping stones or stone dead? Fecundity, pollen dispersal and mating patterns of roadside Qualea grandiflora Mart. trees

Forest fragmentation may affect mating and pollen dispersal patterns through conversion of continuous forests into small, spatially isolated remnant patches and individual trees in an anthropogenic landscape. We investigated reproductive investment and success, pollen dispersal, mating system, and genetic diversity and spatial structure of Qualea grandiflora trees in two environmental contexts: a continuous natural Cerrado area and isolated individuals on roadsides. Roadside trees produced more flowers and more fruit than Cerrado trees. Pollen dispersal kernels were fat-tailed in both contexts, indicating long-distance dispersal, but in Cerrado the mean pollen dispersal distance (524.7 m) and the effective number of pollen donors per mother-tree (Nep = 12.7) were higher than for roadside trees (60.9 m, Nep = 4.6). The levels and structure of genetic diversity, outcrossing rates ( $$t_{m}$$ > 0.98), and mating among relatives ( $$t_{m} - t_{s}$$ < 0.1) were similar in both environmental contexts. Allelic richness and number of private alleles were similar between the two environments. The fixation index was significantly lower in adults (minimum of 0.08) than in offspring (minimum of 0.23) in both contexts, suggesting selection against inbred individuals between offspring and adult stage. Our results indicate that the spatial isolation of roadside trees, by increasing the number of flowers produced, decreased pollinator movements, thereby reducing effective pollen flow and the number of pollen donors. All these results suggest that roadside trees can be used for harvesting seeds for recovery plans, and that these trees are a biological legacy, and reservoir of Q. grandiflora genetic diversity, from the original Cerrado forest.

Mating pattern and pollen dispersal in the wild olive tree (Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata)

In this study, the mating system, contemporary pollen flow, and landscape pollen connectivity of the wild olive tree (Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata) were analyzed in a fragmented landscape of less than 4-km diameter located in north-western Ethiopia. Four remnant populations of different sizes were investigated. Eight highly polymorphic microsatellite markers were used to genotype 534 adults and 704 embryos. We used contrasting sampling schemes and different methodological approaches to analyze the pollen flow. We observed a lower rate of inbreeding and correlated mating in the fragmented vs. the non-fragmented subpopulation. Using parentage analysis, we detected a bidirectional pollen movement across subpopulations. Pollen flow was found to be directed towards small subpopulations based on parentage and anisotropic analysis. Pollen immigration amounted to more than 50%. Although most pollination occurred within a distance of less than 200 m, longer distance pollen movements of more than 3 km were also detected. Pollen dispersal in the large and dense subpopulation was reduced, and a smaller number of effective pollen sources were detected compared to a smaller fragmented subpopulation. We obtained consistent estimates for the number of effective pollen donors (approximately 6 per mother tree) using three different methods. The average pollen dispersal distance at the landscape level amounted to 276 m while at the local level, 174 m was estimated. Bigger trees were better pollen contributors than smaller trees. We showed here for the first time that pollen dispersal in wild olive follows a leptokurtic distribution.

Dipteryx alata Vogel (Fabaceae) a neotropical tree with high level of selfing: implication for conservation and breeding programs

Dipteryx alata (Fabaceae) is a threatened tropical tree of the Brazilian Savanna. Due to deforestation of its biome, many individuals and populations are now spatially isolated in forest fragments, pastures, and along roads. Plans for in situ and ex situ conservation of the species are urgently needed. To support conservation, the mating system and pollen dispersal patterns must be better understood as they determine the levels of genetic diversity, inbreeding, and effective size of seed generations. Microsatellite were used to investigated the mating system, pollen dispersal, genetic diversity, spatial genetic structure (SGS), and inbreeding in isolated trees in pastures and along roads from two populations with different densities in the Brazilian Savanna. Our aim is to determine the potential of these trees to contribute to seed collection for genetic conservation. We found that the species presents a mixed mating system, strong individual variation in outcrossing rate (0.01-1.0), and non-random mating. Low population density resulted in lower levels of outcrossing (tm = 0.45) and mating among relatives (tm - ts = 0.12), but longer pollen dispersal distances (δ = 6,572 m) than in the higher density populations (tm = 0.90, tm - ts = 0.26, δ = 1,395 m). Mating among relatives was explained by SGS detected in the populations, associated with near-neighbor pollinator foraging behavior. Correlated mating indicates that a low effective number of pollen donors (1.5-10.3) fertilized the trees. Thus, open-pollinated seedling families present mixtures of different levels of relatedness and inbreeding. Our results are discussed in light of strategies for in and ex situ conservation.

Mating system and gene flow of Nothofagus alpina (Poepp. & Endl.) Oerst. in a clonal seed orchard

BackgroundUnderstanding pathways of genetic information transfer from one generation to another is particularly important when open-pollinated seeds are collected for reforestation or for enrichment of native forests. Nothofagus alpina (Poepp. & Endl.) Oerst. is native to temperate forests of southern Chile and Argentina. However, lack of knowledge of its reproductive biology has hampered its management in forest plantations and conservation of natural populations. Therefore, a clonal seed orchard of N. alpina in southern Chile was used to analyse the mating system and to estimate the number of pollen donors in this species.MethodsThe mating system was investigated using manual pollination tests on six clones, open-pollinated seeds were collected from four other clones to study gene flow and paternity analysis was done on progenies using microsatellite genetic markers. Pollen donors were inferred for 194 offspring of four adult trees using five microsatellite loci and an exclusion process.ResultsThis species is exogamous and largely self-incompatible. The effective number of pollen donors found was 5, which was less than the 19 expected theoretically. Results indicated that pollen flow in the seed orchard is deficient. This could be a result of limitations in the wind-pollination system, coupled with phenological dissynchrony among clones present.ConclusionsN. alpina is an exogamous, highly self-incompatible species. It does not reproduce through agamospermy, since there was no seed formation in the absence of pollen. Only a few trees contributed to the paternity of the progeny evaluated. This finding indicates that there exists a limited gene flow within the orchard due to reproductive isolation among genotypes.

Estimation of natural outcrossing rate and genetic diversity in Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L. var. lunatus) from Brazil using SSR markers: implications for conservation and breeding

Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) is an important food source in Brazil, especially in the northeast region, where its production and consumption are high. The goals of the present study were to estimate natural outcrossing rates and genetic diversity levels of Lima bean from Brazil, using ten microsatellite loci to obtain information for their conservation and breeding. Fourteen accessions were selected from an experiment in field with open-pollinated and with the presence of pollinating insects. Twelve seeds of each of the 14 selected accessions were grown in screenhouse for tissue harvest and DNA extraction. The multilocus model was used to determine the reproductive system. The outcrossing rate was 38.1 % (tm = 0.381; ts = 0.078), and the results indicated a mixed mating system with a predominance of selfing (1 − tm = 61.9 %). The biparental inbreeding rate was high (t m − t s = 0.303) and the multilocus correlated paternity was quite high (r p(m) = 0.889), indicating that the progeny was mostly composed of full sibs. The average effective number of pollen donors per maternal plant (N ep ) was low (1.12), and the fixation index for maternal genotypes (F m ) was 0.945, indicating that most genitors resulted from inbreeding. The studied families presented considerable genetic variability: A = 6.10; %P = 30; H e = 0.60 and H o = 0.077. Total diversity was high (H T = 0.596), and a portion was distributed within families (H S = 0.058). In addition, diversity was higher between families (D ST = 0.538), and genetic differentiation was high (G ST = 0.902). The results presented here can be used in the implementation of Lima bean conservation and breeding programs in Brazil.

Logging decreases the pollen dispersal distance in a low-density population of the tree Bagassa guianensis in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract This study investigates the distance and patterns of pollen dispersal before and after logging in a low-density population of the dioecious, insect pollinated tree species, Bagassa guianensis, in the Brazilian Amazon. All adult trees found before and after logging in a 500 ha plot were mapped and genotyped for six microsatellite loci. Seeds collected before and after logging were also sampled and genotyped. We used a categorical paternity analysis to determine seed paternity. Our results showed similar levels of pollen flow before (23%) and after logging (26%), but an increase in the mean effective pollination neighbourhood area, and a decrease in the rate of mating among relatives after logging, resulting in open pollinated seeds with lower levels of inbreeding (0.126) than before logging (0.222). We also detected changes in the mating pattern between before and after logging, a decrease in the median pollen dispersal distance and effective number of pollen donors after logging. Our results support the idea that reproductive trees should be maintained in the plot and around logged areas, using lowest levels of logging intensity to maintain pollen flow and decrease the relatedness of subsequent generations.

Using genetic diversity and mating system parameters estimated from genetic markers to determine strategies for the conservation of Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze (Araucariaceae)

In order to understand the impacts of forest fragmentation on Araucaria angustifolia populations, we evaluated the genetic diversity and mating system using SSR markers and open-pollinated seeds from four populations of varying sizes and spatial isolation, in and around one of the best-conserved Araucaria Forest remnants in Southern Brazil. The four population types of A. angustifolia include: (1) a continuous forest; (2) a physically isolated cluster located 2 km from the continuous forest; (3) an open population in a field located between the cluster and continuous forest; and (4) a fragment on a private property located 5 km from the cluster. Approximately 28 seeds were collected from ten reproductive trees in each population. We found higher amounts of alleles (113) and exclusive alleles (25) in the continuous forest than in the other populations. The multilocus paternity correlation was significantly higher and effective number of pollen donors was significantly lower in the private population, decreasing the diversity and consequently the variance effective size of families sampled from that population. However, despite its isolation from the other studied fragments, the private population had the second highest number of alleles as well as unique alleles from the other populations. Therefore, strategies for A. angustifolia conservation should focus not only on larger populations, such as those found in protected areas, but also include smaller and isolated fragments on private properties as these populations are able to maintain high levels of genetic diversity and functional connectivity between isolated stands across a landscape.

Variation in pollen-donor composition among pollinators in an entomophilous tree species, Castanea crenata, revealed by single-pollen genotyping.

BackgroundIn plants, reproductive success is largely determined by the composition of pollen (i.e., self-pollen and outcross-pollen from near and distant pollen-donors) transported as a result of pollinator foraging behavior (e.g., pollen carryover). However, little evidence is available on how and to what extent the pollen carryover affects the pollen-donor composition and on which insect taxa are effective outcross-pollen transporters under field conditions. In this study, we explored roles of foraging behavior of insect pollinators on pollen-donor composition and subsequent reproductive success in a woody plant.MethodsWe performed paternity analyses based on microsatellite genotyping of individual pollen grains found on diurnal pollinators (i.e., bumblebee, small bee, fly, small beetle, and honeybee) visiting Castanea crenata trees.ResultsThe outcross-pollen rate was highest in bumblebees (66%), followed by small bees (35%), flies (31%), and small beetles (18%). The effective number of pollen donors, representing pollen carryover, was greater in bumblebees (9.71) than in flies (3.40), small bees (3.32), and small beetles (3.06). The high percentages of pollen from outside the plot on bumblebees (65.4%) and flies (71.2%) compared to small bees (35.3%) and small beetles (13.5%) demonstrated their longer pollen dispersal distances.ConclusionsAll of the diurnal insects carried outcross-pollen grains for long distances via pollen carryover. This fact suggests that a wide range of insect taxa are potential outcross-pollen transporters for the self-incompatible C. crenata.

Mating system and genetic diversity of progenies before and after logging: a case study of Bagassa guianensis (Moraceae), a low-density dioecious tree of the Amazonian forest

The logging of large trees in tropical forests causes a decrease in the density of reproductive individ- uals, which likely affects the pattern of pollen dispersal and the mating system of the remaining trees in the pop- ulation. Here, we investigate the impact of logging on mating system and genetic diversity of the low-density, thrip-pollinated, dioecious tree Bagassa guianensis with- in a 500-ha plot at Tapajos National Forest, Para State, Brazil. Mating system parameters of the logged popula- tion were estimated using mixed-mating model. Six mi- crosatellite loci were used to genotype 232 seeds from ten remnant female trees over three seasons (2006, 2007, and 2008). The data were compared with the mating system of the unlogged population of B. guianensis (18 female trees, 488 seeds) in the same plot. The overall number of alleles found in the open-pollinated progenies decreased after logging (K=71 before logging and K=57 after logging, considering the three after logging seasons pooled), as well as the average number of alleles per locus (A = 11.8 and 9.5, respectively). Similarly, the number of private alleles, which is defined in the context of this study as the number of alleles observed in the population exclusively before or after logging, also de- creased after logging (15 and 1, respectively). However, the average number of alleles per locus and the observed and expected heterozygosities were not significantly higher before logging than after logging. Logging also did not affect the inbreeding of progenies in the popula- tion. Somewhat unexpectedly, the effective number of pollen donors was consistently higher after (Nep =1 4.5 in 2006, 8.1 in 2007, and 6.3 in 2008) than before log- ging (Nep = 3.4), suggesting that the loss of alleles in the population was compensated by the higher heterogeneity in the pollen pool after the removal of the largest trees by logging. Potential causes explaining the patterns found here include the maintenance of large patches of forest around the logged plot and the species' ability to perform long-distance pollination by airborne thrips. Maintenance of landscape integrity as logged and unlogged forests around the exploited areas is recom- mended to enhance pollen migration and to avoid long- term losses in genetic diversity.

Effects of tree architecture on pollen dispersal and mating patterns in Abies pinsapo Boiss. (Pinaceae).

Plant architecture is crucial to pollination and mating in wind-pollinated species. We investigated the effect of crown architecture on pollen dispersal, mating system and offspring quality, combining phenotypic and genotypic analyses in a low-density population of the endangered species Abies pinsapo. A total of 598 embryos from three relative crown height levels (bottom, middle and top) in five mother plants were genotyped using eleven nuclear microsatellite markers (nSSRs). Paternity analysis and mating system models were used to infer mating and pollen dispersal parameters. In addition, seeds were weighed (N = 16 110) and germinated (N = 736), and seedling vigour was measured to assess inbreeding depression. Overall, A. pinsapo shows a fat-tailed dispersal kernel, with an average pollen dispersal distance of 113-227 m, an immigration rate of 0.84-26.92%, and a number of effective pollen donors (Nep ) ranging between 3.5 and 11.9. We found an effect of tree height and relative crown height levels on mating parameters. A higher proportion of seeds with embryo (about 50%) and a higher rate of self-fertilization (about 60%) were found at the bottom level in comparison with the top level. Seed weight and seedling vigour are positively related. Nevertheless, no differences were found in seed weight or in seedling-related variables such as weight and length of aerial and subterranean parts among the different relative crown height levels, suggesting that seeds from the more strongly inbred bottom level are not affected by inbreeding depression. Our results point to vertical isotropy for outcross-pollen and they suggest that self-pollen may ensure fertilization when outcross-pollen is not available in low-density population.

Mating Patterns and Pollinator Communities of the Invasive ShrubLonicera maackii: A Comparison between Interior Plants and Edge Plants

Premise of research. It is known that outcrossing rates and mating structure are important factors determining the genetic structure of populations. Moreover, the composition and abundance of pollinator communities visiting flowers determine the distances over which the pollen is likely to be dispersed, which in turn affects the genetic structure of plant populations. For invasive plants, high outcrossing rates produce genetically diverse propagules for the colonization of uninvaded areas and facilitate the establishment of novel gene combinations that may affect their invasive ability. Here, we examine how differences in pollinator communities visiting flowers of the invasive shrub Lonicera maackii (Caprifoliaceae), growing along the edge and in the interior of a woodlot, affect their outcrossing rates and mating structure. Methodology. Five microsatellite marker loci were used to determine the outcrossing rates, levels of biparental inbreeding, and effective number of pollen donors siring the seed crop of plants growing along the edge and in the interior of an invaded woodlot. Pivotal results. We found that L. maackii is a predominantly outcrossing plant. Despite dissimilarities in composition and abundance of pollinator communities, there were no differences in outcrossing rates and biparental inbreeding between plants along the edge of the woodlot and those in the interior. However, the seed crop of plants in the interior was sired by more pollen donors than that of plants along the edge. Our findings suggest that plants differ in their ability to sire seeds, as maternal allele frequencies are different from those that sired their seeds. Conclusions. Lonicera maackii plants showed high outcrossing rates regardless of their position in the woodlot. Differences in the number of donors siring the seed crop between plants in the interior of the woodlot and those along the edge are most likely due to disparities in the abundance and composition of the pollinator communities.

Extensive pollen flow in a natural fragmented population of Patagonian cypress Austrocedrus chilensis

Habitat fragmentation might significantly affect mating and pollen dispersal patterns in plant populations, contributing to the decline of remnant populations. However, wind-pollinated species are able to disperse pollen at longer distances after opening of the canopy. Our objectives were to characterize the mating system parameters and to estimate the average distance of effective pollen dispersal in the wind- pollinated conifer Austrocedrus chilensis. We sampled 19 "mother trees," 200 progeny, and 81 additional adults (both male and female), in a fragmented population at the Argentinean Patagonian steppe. We registered the spatial po- sitions of individuals and genotyped all samples with five microsatellite markers. We found a high genetic diversity, a moderated rate of biparental inbreeding (tmts=0.105), and a complete absence of correlated paternity (rp=−0.015). The effective number of pollen donors contributing to a single mother (Nep) was 13.9. Applying TWOGENER,weestimated a low but significant differentiation among the inferred pollen pools (ΦFT=0.036,p=0.001) and a very large average pollen dispersal distance (d=1,032.3 m). The leptokurtic distribution (b=0.18) presumes a potential for even larger dispersal dis- tances. The high genetic diversity, the mating patterns, and the extensive pollen dispersal presume that habitat fragmentation did not have a negative impact on pollen movement in this population of A. chilensis. Genetic connectivity among fragmented populations scattered in the Patagonian region is possible, and we stress the need of management policies at the landscape level.

Mating between Echinacea angustifolia (Asteraceae) individuals increases with their flowering synchrony and spatial proximity

Although spatial distance is considered the primary factor in determining plant mating patterns, flowering time and synchrony are also likely to be important. We quantified the relationships of both distance and flowering phenology to the probability of mating between individual plants. In an experimental plot, we followed daily flowering phenology in Echinacea angustifolia, a self-incompatible perennial pollinated by solitary bees. We assigned paternity to 832 of 927 seedlings from 37 maternal plants using 11 microsatellite loci. Potential pollen donors included the experiment plot's 202 flowering plants and a nearby plot's 19 flowering plants. For each maternal plant sampled, we examined the pollen pool by quantifying correlated paternity and the effective number of pollen donors. Significantly more pollinations occurred between neighboring and synchronous plants than expected under random mating, with distance being more important than flowering synchrony. The distance pollen moved varied over the course of the season, with late flowering plants mating with more distant plants compared to early or peak flowering plants. All maternal plants had a diverse set of mates (mean number of effective pollen donors = 23.7), and the composition of the pollen pools overlapped little between maternal plants. Both distance and flowering synchrony influenced pollination patterns in E. angustifolia. Our results suggest that pollen movement between incompatible mates and flowering asynchrony could be contributing to the reduced seed set observed in small E. angustifolia remnants. However, we also found that individual plants receive pollen from a diverse group of pollen donors.

Biases in quantitative genetic analyses using open-pollinated progeny tests from natural tree populations

In plant quantitative genetic studies conducted ex situ, the large number of seeds produced per individual has promoted the use of open-pollinated progeny tests. In subsequent analyses, seeds collected on the same mother-plant are assumed to be half-sibs. The consequences of the departure from half-sib assumption in progeny tests have been investigated since the 1960s using simulation approaches and, more recently, using molecular-based experimental approaches. This review aims to synthesize the results and conclusions of these simulation and empirical studies. We focus on tree species, where controlled crosses are difficult to carry out experimentally and departures from half-sib assumptions occur frequently in natural populations. First, the average level of relatedness expected within maternal progeny for many tree populations is higher than that of half-sibs. This is the consequence of non-random mating resulting from the small number of effective pollen donors per female, unequal male reproductive success and/or selfing. As result, estimates of genetic variance and heritability for quantitative traits may be upward biased. Alternatively, inbreeding depression, dominance effects and the heterogeneity of the male gamete pool among females are often neglected, which may lead to underestimation of the heritability of traits. A correction based on the mean genetic relatedness between offspring and the relatedness between parents is often used to compensate those biases. However, such correction cannot accurately adjust the estimates in situations where variable levels of genetic relatedness among families, dominance effects or inbreeding depression exist within the progeny. An alternative and promising approach is the use of the “animal model” approach, which optimizes the use of molecular data and paternal information to estimate heritability more accurately.