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Global biogeography of mating system variation in seed plants
Author(s) -
Moeller David A.,
Briscoe Runquist Ryan D.,
Moe Annika M.,
Geber Monica A.,
Goodwillie Carol,
Cheptou PierreOlivier,
Eckert Christopher G.,
Elle Elizabeth,
Johnston Mark O.,
Kalisz Susan,
Ree Richard H.,
Sargent Risa D.,
VallejoMarin Mario,
Winn Alice A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/ele.12738
Subject(s) - outcrossing , biome , biogeography , ecology , biology , mating system , latitude , biodiversity , mating , pollinator , taxon , pollination , ecosystem , geography , pollen , geodesy
Abstract Latitudinal gradients in biotic interactions have been suggested as causes of global patterns of biodiversity and phenotypic variation. Plant biologists have long speculated that outcrossing mating systems are more common at low than high latitudes owing to a greater predictability of plant–pollinator interactions in the tropics; however, these ideas have not previously been tested. Here, we present the first global biogeographic analysis of plant mating systems based on 624 published studies from 492 taxa. We found a weak decline in outcrossing rate towards higher latitudes and among some biomes, but no biogeographic patterns in the frequency of self‐incompatibility. Incorporating life history and growth form into biogeographic analyses reduced or eliminated the importance of latitude and biome in predicting outcrossing or self‐incompatibility. Our results suggest that biogeographic patterns in mating system are more likely a reflection of the frequency of life forms across latitudes rather than the strength of plant–pollinator interactions.