An analysis of mating biases in trees

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Plant Science

Background:

• Assortative mating, mating based on phenotypic similarity, is well-studied in animals but less so in plants.
• Understanding mating patterns in trees is crucial for population genetics and conservation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate mating biases in trees by analyzing kinship in realized mating pairs.
• To infer potential drivers of mating patterns, such as kin recognition and assortative mating.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of microsatellite data from adult trees (potential mates) and seed arrays for 20 tree species.
• Comparison of mean relatedness in observed mating pairs against null expectations based on pollen dispersal.

Main Results:

• Assortative mating was detected in 9 out of 20 species, with elevated inbreeding (positive assortative mating).
• Nine species showed no significant deviation from random mating.
• Two species exhibited reduced inbreeding (negative assortative mating).
• Flowering phenology was identified as a potential driver for positive assortative mating.

Conclusions:

• Assortative mating is potentially common but not universal in trees.
• Flowering phenology is a likely factor influencing positive assortative mating, leading to increased inbreeding.
• Further research is needed to explore active kin recognition as a driver of tree mating patterns.