Plant mating system transitions drive the macroevolution of defense strategies

Plant mating system determines, to a great extent, the demographic and genetic properties of populations, hence their potential for adaptive evolution. Variation in plant mating system has been documented between phylogenetically related species as well between populations of a species. A common evolutionary transition, from outcrossing to selfing, is likely to occur under environmental spatial variation in the service of pollinators. Here, we studied two phenotypically (in floral traits) and genetically (in neutral molecular markers) differentiated populations of the annual, insect-pollinated, plant Datura inoxia in Mexico, that differ in the service of pollinators (Mapimí and Cañada Moreno). First, we determined the populations’ parameters of phenotypic in herkogamy, outcrossing and selfing rates with microsatellite loci, and assessed between generation (adults and seedlings) inbreeding, and inbreeding depression. Second, we compared the relationships between parameters in each population. Results point strong differences between populations: plants in Mapimí have, on average, approach herkogamy, higher outcrossing rate (tm = 0.68), lower primary selfing rate (r = 0.35), and lower inbreeding at equilibrium (Fe = 0.24) and higher inbreeding depression (δ = 0.25), than the populations of Cañada. Outcrossing seems to be favored in Mapimí while selfing in Cañada. The relationship between r and Fe were negatively associated with herkogamy in Mapimí; here, progenies derived from plants with no herkogamy or reverse herkogamy had higher selfing rate and inbreeding coefficient than plants with approach herkogamy. The difference Fe–F is positively related to primary selfing rate (r) only in Cañada Moreno which suggests inbreeding depression in selfing individuals and then genetic purging. In conclusion, mating system evolution may occur differentially among maternal lineages within populations of Datura inoxia, in which approach herkogamy favors higher outcrossing rates and low levels of inbreeding and inbreeding depression, while no herkogamy or reverse herkogamy lead to the evolution of the “selfing syndrome” following the purge of deleterious alleles despite high inbreeding among individuals.

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Quantitative Trait Loci Differentiating the Outbreeding Mimulus guttatus From the Inbreeding M. platycalyx

Genetics ◽

10.1093/genetics/146.3.1115 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 146 (3) ◽

pp. 1115-1121 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jing-Zhong Lin ◽

Kermit Ritland

Keyword(s):

Mating System ◽

Quantitative Trait ◽

Genetic Architecture ◽

Genetic Basis ◽

Random Amplified Polymorphic Dna ◽

Phenotypic Variance ◽

Mimulus Guttatus ◽

Theoretical Predictions ◽

Trait Locus ◽

Plant Mating System

Theoretical predictions about the evolution of selfing depend on the genetic architecture of loci controlling selfing (monogenic vs. polygenic determination, large vs. small effect of alleles, dominance vs. recessiveness), and studies of such architecture are lacking. We inferred the genetic basis of mating system differences between the outbreeding Mimulus guttatus and the inbreeding M. platycalyx by quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping using random amplified polymorphic DNA and isozyme markers. One to three QTL were detected for each of five mating system characters, and each QTL explained 7.6–28.6% of the phenotypic variance. Taken together, QTL accounted for up to 38% of the variation in mating system characters, and a large proportion of variation was unaccounted for. Inferred QTL often affected more than one trait, contributing to the genetic correlation between those traits. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that quantitative variation in plant mating system characters is primarily controlled by loci with small effect.

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Ant guards influence the mating system of their plant hosts by altering pollinator behaviour

10.1101/2020.02.11.943431 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nora Villamil ◽

Karina Boege ◽

Graham N. Stone

Keyword(s):

Mating System ◽

Community Composition ◽

Mating Systems ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Plant Fitness ◽

Pollinator Behaviour ◽

Visitation Frequency ◽

Pollinator Community ◽

Plant Mating Systems ◽

Plant Mating

AbstractAnt guards can increase plant fitness by deterring herbivores but may also reduce it by interfering with pollination, hence ant-plant interactions are ideal systems in which to study costs and benefits of mutualisms. While ant impacts on herbivory are well-studied, much less is known about impacts on pollinators and associated consequences for plant mating systems and fitness. We used field experiments to quantify the effect of ant guards on pollinator community composition, frequency and duration of flower visits, and cascading effects on plant mating system and plant fitness in Turnera velutina (Passifloraceae). Although ant patrolling did not affect pollinator community composition or visitation frequency, it decreased pollinator foraging time and flower visit duration. Such behavioural changes resulted in reduced pollen deposition on stigmas, decreasing male fitness whilst increasing outcrossing rates. This study contributes to understanding how non-pollinators, such as these defensive mutualists, can shape plant mating systems.

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