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Sex and size in cosexual plants.
P G Klinkhamer1, T J de Jong, H Metz
1Institute of Evolutionary and Ecological Sciences, University of Leiden, PO Box 9516, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.
Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|January 18, 2011
Summary
Measuring plant fitness-gain curves and sex allocation presents challenges. However, recent findings indicate that size-dependent sex allocation is common in plants, challenging previous assumptions.
Area of Science:
- Plant reproductive biology
- Evolutionary ecology
Background:
- Empirical testing of sex allocation theory in plants is hindered by measurement difficulties.
- Existing knowledge of fitness-gain curves enables hypothesis formulation for sex allocation theory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that plants adjust their gender based on size.
- To assess the prevalence of size-dependent sex allocation (SDS) in cosexual plants.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent data and theoretical frameworks related to plant reproductive strategies.
- Analysis of empirical evidence on the relationship between plant size and gender expression.
Main Results:
- Size-dependent sex allocation (SDS) is suggested to be a common phenomenon.
- Contrary to previous beliefs, the link between plant size and gender is not necessarily weak.
Conclusions:
- Despite measurement challenges, hypotheses can be formulated to test sex allocation theory.
- Recent data support size-dependent sex allocation as a prevalent strategy in hermaphroditic and cosexual plants.
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