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Abstract Detail



Molecular Ecology and Evolution

Jiménez López, Francisco Javier [1], Ortiz Ballesteros, Pedro L. [1], Arista Palmero, Montserrat [3].

The importance of the reproductive assurance in the maintenance of flower color polymorphism in Lysimachia arvensis.

Lysimachia arvensis is a polymorphic species with red and blue flowers. Both morphs show differences in fitness due to climatic factors, and the blue one performs better in xeric Mediterranean environments where red-flowered plants persist in low proportions. In the Mediterranean Basin, the blue morph is also favored by pollinators, and thus, the maintenance of the red morph is enigmatic. We hypothesized that the mechanism of delayed selfing in L. arvensis could offer reproductive assurance when outcross pollen is limited, mitigating the effects of both biotic and abiotic selective agents and maintaining the red morph in Mediterranean areas. However, for that to be possible, the advantages of the reproductive assurance should overpass the drawback of inbreeding depression. Thus, we studied the magnitude of inbreeding depression in each color morph of L. arvensis at various life stages and at both glasshouse and natural conditions. Moreover, we studied the genetic structure of 20 populations in both Mediterranean and temperate ecosystems by means of AFLP and nrSSR markers. Our results suggest that the blue morph suffers higher inbreeding depression than the red one. The figures of inbreeding depression index obtained for the blue morph were similar to those of xenogamous species, while those for the red morph corresponded to those of autogamous plants. Genetic diversity varied markedly among populations. In mixed populations, red individuals always showed a lower genetic diversity than blue ones. Those findings are consistent with the hypothesis that red-flowered plants have a higher selfing rate which could maintain them in the Mediterranean area.


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1 - University of Sevilla, Biologí­a Vegetal y Ecologí­a, Avenida Reina Mercedes nº6, Sevilla, Sevilla, 41010, Spain
2 - University of Sevilla, Biologí­a Vegetal y Ecologí­a, Avenida Reina Mercedes nº6, Sevilla, Sevilla, 41010, Spain
3 - DPTO. BIO VEGETAL Y ECOLOGIA, APDO. 1095, Sevilla, N/A, 41080, Spain

Keywords:
Lysimachia
microsatellites
Flower color polymorphism
imbreeding depression
reproductive assurance.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 44, Molecular Ecology and Evolution II
Location: 102/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Wednesday, August 3rd, 2016
Time: 1:45 PM
Number: 44002
Abstract ID:207
Candidate for Awards:Margaret Menzel Award


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