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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 12, 2026

Field Experiments of Pollination Ecology: The Case of Lycoris sanguinea var. sanguinea

Field Experiments of Pollination Ecology: The Case of Lycoris sanguinea var. sanguinea

Published on: November 25, 2016

Geographic range size is predicted by plant mating system.

Dena Grossenbacher¹, Ryan Briscoe Runquist¹, Emma E Goldberg²

¹Department of Plant Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA.

Ecology Letters

|May 19, 2015

Summary

Plant species that reproduce autonomously via self-pollination have larger geographic ranges than those requiring two parents. This trait, autonomous self-fertilization, enhances species

Keywords:

Baker's Law outcrossing phylogeny range size selfing

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Plant Reproductive Biology
Biogeography

Background:

Geographic ranges of plant species exhibit significant variation, with closely related species sometimes differing in range size by orders of magnitude.
Reproductive strategies, such as self-pollination versus outcrossing, are key factors influencing species' ecological success and distribution.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between autonomous self-pollination and geographic range size in plant species.
To determine if autonomous self-fertilization is the causal factor for observed differences in range size compared to outcrossing relatives.

Main Methods:

Comparative analysis of geographic range sizes across hundreds of plant species from 20 genera in 15 families.
Statistical analyses to assess the correlation between autonomous self-fertilization and range size, controlling for confounding factors like polyploidy and annual life history.
Examination of latitudinal distribution and range size disparity over evolutionary time.

Main Results:

Plant species with autonomous self-pollination consistently exhibit larger geographic ranges than their outcrossing relatives.
Autonomous self-fertilization is strongly implicated as the cause of larger ranges, independent of polyploidy or annual life history.
Selfing species are found at higher maximum latitudes, and range size differences increase with evolutionary divergence time.

Conclusions:

Autonomous reproduction, by removing mate limitation, enhances the probability of species establishment and increases geographic range size.
Self-pollination is a significant evolutionary advantage promoting wider distribution and ecological success in plants.