Breeding system of the subantarctic plant species Pringlea antiscorbutica R. Br. and search for potential insect pollinators in the Kerguelen Islands |
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Authors: | Agnès Schermann-Legionnet Françoise Hennion Philippe Vernon Anne Atlan |
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Institution: | (1) UMR ECOBIO 6553, CNRS, University of Rennes 1, Campus de Beaulieu, Batiment 14, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France;(2) UMR ECOBIO 6553, CNRS, University of Rennes 1, Station Biologique de Paimpont, 35380 Paimpont, France |
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Abstract: | The reproductive biology of Pringlea antiscorbutica R. Br. (Brassicaceae), an endemic species from the southern Indian Ocean islands, is investigated here. Controlled crosses
were performed between plants grown in a common garden on the Kerguelen Islands. Searching for potential insect pollinators,
we investigated the flying ability of all insects known from the Kerguelen Islands. We showed evidence for self-compatibility,
low pollen limitation in the absence of a biotic pollen vector and slight selfing depression in P. antiscorbutica. The insects present on the islands are mostly wingless and are not likely to be efficient pollinators of this species. Since
P. antiscorbutica shows morphological adaptations to insect pollination despite the absence of pollinators in its present range, we conclude
that this species recently evolved from insect pollination to wind and/or autonomous pollination. |
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Keywords: | Pringlea antiscorbutica Subantarctic islands Breeding system Pollinators |
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