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Gender plasticity and sexual system stability in Wurmbea
1Botany, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia. gvaughto@une.edu.au
Annals of Botany
|August 12, 2011
Summary
Gender plasticity (GP) and sex-differential plasticity (SDP) influence sexual system stability in plants. This study found SDP for female function can aid female establishment, but plasticity costs may destabilize sub-dioecy.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Plant reproductive strategies
- Sexual systems
Background:
- Sexually dimorphic plant populations often inhabit drier environments than cosexual populations.
- Gender plasticity (GP) and sex-differential plasticity (SDP) are key factors influencing the stability of plant sexual systems.
- This study investigates GP and SDP in Wurmbea biglandulosa (cosexual and gynodioecious) and Wurmbea dioica (sub-dioecious and dioecious).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate gender plasticity (GP) in hermaphrodites and sex-differential plasticity (SDP) between hermaphrodites and unisexuals across different sexual systems.
- To determine how resource availability affects GP.
- To assess the costs of plasticity and its implications for sexual system stability.
Main Methods:
- GP was assessed under varying resource conditions and across different sexual systems.
- SDP was evaluated by comparing the sexual functions of hermaphrodites and unisexuals within sexual systems.
- Plasticity costs were examined by correlating female function with male traits and comparing regressions of plant size and pollen production.
Main Results:
- In dioecious W. dioica, males showed no GP, while 100% of males in gynodioecious and cosexual W. biglandulosa exhibited GP.
- Resource availability influenced GP in sub-dioecious W. dioica.
- Hermaphrodites reduced investment in perfect flowers under low resources, while unisexuals were unaffected, indicating SDP for female function only.
Conclusions:
- SDP for female function can facilitate female establishment and maintenance in various sexual systems.
- While the absence of male SDP may stabilize sub-dioecy, plasticity costs can destabilize it, favoring canalized males.
- Interactions between environmental conditions and hermaphrodite sex expression are crucial for the stability of dimorphic sexual systems.
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