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Resource Allocation and the Evolution of Self-Fertilization in Plants
The American Naturalist
|February 25, 2000
Summary
This study models plant reproduction, finding that increased self-fertilization (selfing) can drive the evolution of annual life cycles. ESS sex allocation decreases with selfing rate, impacting plant reproductive strategies.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Plant reproductive strategies
- Population genetics
Background:
- Partially selfing plants are common, with self-fertilization more prevalent in annuals than perennials.
- Existing theories link life history to mating systems, but the reverse is less explored.
- Resource allocation, reproductive allocation, and sex allocation are key factors in plant evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) model for resource allocation in partially selfing plants.
- To integrate reproductive and sex allocation into a unified evolutionary framework.
- To investigate the influence of selfing rate on reproductive and sex allocation strategies.
Main Methods:
- Development of a mathematical ESS model for plant resource allocation.
- Analysis of fitness gains related to resource investment in male and female functions.
- Incorporation of selfing rate and pollen discounting effects.
Main Results:
- Total reproductive allocation is independent of sex allocation when female fitness gain is linear.
- ESS total reproductive allocation increases with selfing rate if selfed progeny fitness exceeds half that of outcrossed progeny.
- ESS sex allocation consistently decreases as the selfing rate increases.
- Self-fertilization can be a driving force for the evolution of the annual plant habit.
- Pollen discounting can alter ESS sex allocation but not necessarily total reproductive allocation under linear female fitness gain.
Conclusions:
- Selfing rate significantly influences plant reproductive and sex allocation strategies.
- Self-fertilization can directly lead to the evolution of annual life histories.
- The model provides insights into the interplay between mating systems and life history evolution in plants.
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