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Mating system variation and assortative mating of sympatric bromeliads ( Pitcairnia spp.) endemic to neotropical inselbergs
Author(s) -
PalmaSilva Clarisse,
Cozzolino Salvatore,
Paggi Gecele Matos,
Lexer Christian,
Wendt Tânia
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.3732/ajb.1400513
Subject(s) - biology , reproductive isolation , selfing , sympatric speciation , allopatric speciation , mating system , evolutionary biology , mating , sympatry , pollination , assortative mating , zoology , ecology , pollen , population , demography , sociology
• Premise of the study: The mating system is an important component of the complex set of reproductive isolation barriers causing plant speciation. However, empirical evidence showing that the mating system may promote reproductive isolation in co‐occurring species is limited. The mechanisms by which the mating system can act as a reproductive isolation barrier are also largely unknown. • Methods: Here we studied progeny arrays genotyped with microsatellites and patterns of stigma–anther separation (herkogamy) to understand the role of mating system shifts in promoting reproductive isolation between two hybridizing taxa with porous genomes, Pitcairnia albiflos and P. staminea (Bromeliaceae). • Key results: In P. staminea , we detected increased selfing and reduced herkogamy in one sympatric relative to two allopatric populations, consistent with mating system shifts in sympatry acting to maintain the species integrity of P. staminea when in contact with P. albiflos . • Conclusions: Mating system variation is a result of several factors acting simultaneously in these populations. We report mating system shifts as one possible reproductive barrier between these species, acting in addition to numerous other prezygotic (i.e., flower phenology and pollination syndromes) and postzygotic barriers (Bateson–Dobzhansky–Muller genetic incompatibilities).