茜草科二型花柱植物滇丁香传粉精确性研究

异型花柱是一种受遗传因素控制的花型多态性现象,其适应意义在于提高不同花型间传粉精确性,从而促进异交。为检验二型花柱植物滇丁香（Luculia pinceana）是如何促进异交并确定有效传粉者的类型,实验统计自然种群中长、短柱型的植株数量,测量花部特征,统计自然种群植株柱头上的型间花粉落置的数量和比例,比较型内、型间花粉的萌发率以及花粉管长度,比较不同人工授粉处理结实情况,观察传粉昆虫类型并测量虫体特征。结果表明（1）滇丁香自然居群中长、短柱型植株的数量没有显著性差异。长柱型的筒深、筒直径、开口直径、雄蕊长和柱头长均显著小于短柱型,而长柱型的叶片长和宽、雌蕊长、花药体积、花粉粒体积、柱头厚均显著大于短柱型。（2）自然种群植株柱头上型间花粉所占比例显著低于型内花粉的比例。（3）型间授粉的花粉萌发率以及花粉管长度均大于型内授粉和混合授粉。（4）型间授粉的结实率显著高于型内授粉的结实率,型内授粉具有一定的结实。（5）夜行性长喙条背天蛾（Cechenena lineosa）是滇丁香的有效传粉者,其吻长和滇丁香的花筒深相适应。本研究表明二型花柱植物滇丁香主要是通过与其花部特征相匹配的长喙天蛾实现有效的传粉,通过促进型间花粉的萌发和花粉管的伸长而有利于型间授粉结实,提高传粉精确性。     

梅花个体内花柱长度的变异及其对繁殖成功的影响

植物个体内花型的变异影响繁殖成功, 雌性繁殖性状的变异可能影响雌性的繁殖成功, 也可能作为花粉的受体影响雄性的繁殖成功。然而, 植物个体内不同花柱长度的花产生的花粉是否影响植物的繁殖成功却少有研究。梅(Armeniaca mume)是原产我国的重要木本花卉和经济果树, 我们的野外观察发现在同一植株内, 不同花的花柱长度有变异, 存在长柱型、短柱型和雄花型(雌蕊败育)三种花型, 是比较雌性繁殖性状的变异对两性繁殖成功的影响的理想材料。本文主要测量了不同花型的花部特征, 统计花期, 并开展体外花粉萌发以及人工控制授粉实验。结果表明: 长柱型的花冠直径、雌蕊长、单花花粉数、花粉体积显著大于短柱型和雄花型。长柱型的单花期以及雌花期显著长于短柱型。长柱型、短柱型以及雄花型花粉在活体柱头上的萌发率没有显著性差异, 雄花型的花粉管长度显著高于长柱型和短柱型。长柱型为母本的花粉萌发率以及花粉管的长度要显著高于短柱型。长柱型、短柱型、雄花型花粉授粉与自然对照处理的坐果率没有显著性差异, 而长柱型为母本的坐果率要显著高于短柱型为母本的坐果率。这些结果表明野生梅花的长柱型为母本有利于花粉的萌发和花粉管的伸长, 有高的坐果率; 但其作为花粉供体的雄性功能与其他花型没有差异。     

濒危植物安徽羽叶报春两种花型的繁育特性及其适应进化

二型花柱的维持机制和自然选择压力多年来一直是生态学和进化学研究领域的热点之一。通过实验室栽培和野外观察统计相结合的方法,对安徽羽叶报春两种花型(长柱花和短柱花)的形态特征、花粉活力、柱头可授性、花粉/胚珠比、自然授粉及结籽能力、自交亲和性等繁育特性进行了比较研究。结果表明:长、短柱花的花冠直径和裂片宽无明显差异,而花冠筒、雌蕊和雄蕊高、花粉数目及大小、P/O比均有显著差异。在自然条件下,长柱花所接受的总花粉数要明显高于短柱花的总花粉数,但所接受的异型花花粉数和平均每果结籽数两者无显著差异。长柱花和短柱花的花粉和柱头活力相似,均能在较长时间内维持较高活力,仅在开花末期显著下降。两种花型的花在自花授粉、同型异花授粉、异型花授粉条件下均能结籽,但异型花授粉的结籽数均明显高于自花授粉和同型异花授粉结籽数。在长柱花各种授粉方式中,花粉萌发率无明显差异,但异型花花粉管的生长速度明显比同型异花花粉和自花花粉的快,而在短柱花柱头上表现为异型花授粉的萌发率最高,但只要萌发后在花柱中的生长速度无显明差异。此外,综合上述结果,对二种花型花部综合征的维持机制及自然选择压力进行了探讨。     

长柱型日本蛇根草花冠筒内横生绒毛作用探究

目的:日本蛇根草有长柱型和短柱型两种花型,且长柱型花筒内有一圈横生绒毛,而短柱型则无,因此对长柱型日本蛇根草花筒内绒毛结构的作用进行探究.方法:通过热成像仪记录长柱型、短柱型、去除绒毛长柱型花筒区域的温度变化;利用TTC染色法比较长短柱型花粉活力强弱;使用联苯胺-过氧化氢溶液检测长短柱型柱头可授性持续时长;同时将不同柱...     

艳丽耳草的二型花柱及异型自交不亲和系统

异型花柱是一种受遗传因素控制的花型多态性现象,包括二型花柱和三型花柱两种类型.本文以茜草科艳丽耳草(Hedyotis pulcherrima)为实验材料,通过对其野外居群的花型、花部形态及花粉特征等观察,发现艳丽耳草野外居群同时存在长花柱型花和短花柱型花,长/短花柱型花的数量比例为1∶1.两型花具有精确的交互式雌雄异位特征,并且该特征与花冠长度相关性显著.长/短花柱型花的柱头裂片长度、花粉大小及淀粉含量等具有二型性.花粉体外培养时花粉萌发率及花粉管生长速率无显著性差异.人工授粉后,艳丽耳草长/短花柱型花型间异交花粉管生长形态正常,授粉24 h后花粉管均已进入子房.而长/短花柱型花在自交及型内异交下均表现为不亲和,花粉管生长停止于柱头,花粉管顶端累积胼胝质并膨大.艳丽耳草没有无融合生殖现象,型间人工辅助异交授粉结实率为100％,显著高于自然结实率.本研究结果表明,艳丽耳草是典型的二型花柱植物,并具有异型自交不亲和系统.     

安徽特有植物安徽羽叶报春的繁殖生物学研究

本文分别从物候、繁育结构和传粉等方面研究了国家三级保护植物、安徽特有种--安徽羽叶报春(Primula merrilliana)的繁殖生物学特征。研究结果表明: (1) 安徽羽叶报春是典型的形态和功能意义上的花柱二型的二年生植物, 其始苗期为9月, 一直持续到第二年6月底或7月初死亡, 各居群长柱花植株比短柱花植株开花略早3–5 d; (2) 安徽羽叶报春的散孔型花粉显示其在报春花属中有重要的系统意义和进化意义。同时, 短柱花花粉量比长柱花少, 但其花粉直径是后者的1.78倍左右; (3) 长花柱的雌蕊长度是短花柱的1.64倍, 而且其柱头上的乳头状突起比短花柱上的长而稀; (4) 3个研究居群的P/O比都不相同, 我们发现花粉量比胚珠数量有更大的变异, 这可能与生境有关; (5) 安徽羽叶报春为异花授粉植物, 蓟马属(Thrips)昆虫为其重要的传粉者, 其同型花授粉可育性远比异型花授粉的高; (6) 其长、短柱型种子没有明显的形态差异, 多属不等边七面体, 少为其他多面体。据研究, 在小居群中两种花柱类型植株的比例失衡, 生境的破坏和伴生种的消失可能是导致安徽羽叶报春濒危的重要原因。     

欧报春二型花柱的繁育特性研究

二型花柱植物通常具有自交不亲和性,在不同植物中所表现的可育性不同。欧报春(Primula vulgaris)是典型的二型花柱植物,为了探究欧报春的繁育特性,通过温室栽培,对欧报春的长花柱和短花柱的花部特征、花粉和花柱形态、花粉活力、柱头可授性、花粉/胚珠比、杂交指数、杂交亲和性、花粉管观察进行研究。结果表明,(1)长花柱和短花柱的花冠直径、花冠筒长度、柱头高度、花药高度和花筒中部直径均表现出两型性;(2)花粉和柱头观察发现花粉极轴长、花粉赤道轴长、花柱直径、柱头乳突细胞和花粉数量均有差异;(3)长花柱的花粉/胚珠比为384.20,短花柱为369.70,属于兼性异交类型;长花柱和短花柱的花粉活力和柱头可授性能在较长时间内维持较高活力;(4)长花柱杂交指数值为5,短花柱为4,表明繁育系统类型为异交,部分自交亲和,需要传粉者;6种授粉组合均能结实,异型花间授粉的结实数明显高于同型自花授粉和异株同型授粉;短花柱为母本的异型花间授粉组合亲和性优于其他组合;欧报春存在自交不亲和性,长花柱的自交不亲和性低于短花柱。     

青篱柴通过促进亲和花粉生长而提高传粉精确性

异型花柱植物的适应意义在于提高亲和花粉的传递, 从而促进异交, 但是有不少研究发现柱头上落置了大量不亲和花粉。目前, 很少有人研究柱头是否有利于亲和花粉的萌发和花粉管伸长, 以及通过去雄处理排除花内和植株内不亲和花粉干扰从而验证二型花柱植物是否可以促进异交。本研究以亚麻科青篱柴属(Tirpitzia)的二型花柱植物青篱柴(T. sinensis)为研究对象, 分居群调查了青篱柴长、短柱型的植株数量, 测量不同柱型的花粉与柱头大小以及观察其表面纹饰, 测定不同开花时间长、短柱型的柱头活性与花粉活力, 统计自然状态下柱头上落置的不同表型花粉比例, 进一步统计花内、株内去雄和自然对照下柱头上落置的不同表型花粉比例, 计算型间、型内和混合授粉花粉管长度和花粉萌发率, 人工授粉检测其是否型内异交不亲和与自交不亲和。结果表明, 自然居群中长、短柱型青篱柴植株数量没有显著性差异; 短柱型青篱柴花粉体积显著大于长柱型, 且二者花粉表面纹饰不同, 但不同柱型的柱头表面积与表面纹饰无差异; 青篱柴开花第一天的花粉活力显著高于开花第二天, 而柱头活性在开花前两天无显著性差异; 自然状态下柱头上落置的不亲和花粉比例显著高于亲和花粉; 在长柱型青篱柴中, 花内和株内去雄显著提高了柱头上亲和花粉的落置比例; 柱头上授型内花粉, 其花粉萌发率和花粉管的长度都显著低于授型间花粉; 授粉结果表明青篱柴为型内异交不亲和与自交不亲和。二型花柱植物通过促进亲和花粉的萌发和花粉管的伸长而有利于型间授粉, 从而显著提高其传粉精确性。     

绣球茜的二型花柱及其传粉生物学初步研究

首次对绣球茜(Dunnia sinensis Tutch)的花药和柱头高度、花粉和柱头形态,以及人工辅助授粉的结实情况等进行了研究.结果表明:绣球茜在同一居群中同时具有长花柱(Pin 型)和短花柱(Thrum)两种花型,长花柱植株的柱头和雄蕊高分别为9.61±0.36 mm和6.79±0.38 mm,短花柱则为6.11±0.56 mm和8.96±0.59 mm,表现出互补式雌雄异位的花部特征.通过人工辅助授粉,两种花型植株的自交和同型植株间异交都不结实,仅在型间异交方能正常结实,说明绣球茜中存在极强的自交不亲和和型内不亲和现象.在花粉与柱头形态方面:长柱型花的单花花粉量(38555.6±6258.4)显著地小于短柱型花(52145.45±8924.5)(t=4.009,P＜0.01),长柱花和短柱型花的胚珠数分别为38.73±1.85和39.1±2.25(t=-4.13,P＞0.01);长柱型花花粉粒的大小(极径21.27±0.70 μm)显著地小于短柱花(21.92±0.79μm)类型(t=3.890,P＜0.01),而柱头乳突大小长柱类型要大于短柱类型,表现出明显的二型性.研究结果表明绣球茜是一种典型的二型花柱植物.此外,对其传粉昆虫及昆虫访花行为的观察表明,蝶类(青风蝶属Graphium)和蜂类(熊蜂Bombus sp.和木蜂Xylocopa magnifica Smith)为绣球茜的主要访花昆虫和传粉昆虫,它们能够在两种不同花型植株之间有效地传粉.     

异型花柱植物喀什补血草的传粉者功能群与花粉转移效率

异型花柱是受遗传控制的花柱多态现象, 被达尔文认为是植物通过在传粉者体表不同部位滞落花粉以促进型间花粉准确传递的一种适应。该现象虽已受到广泛关注, 但在一些花型变异较大且不稳定的传粉系统中, 不同传粉者对各花型繁殖所产生的影响仍知之甚少。该研究以分布于新疆天山南坡的一个有同长花柱共存的异型花柱植物喀什补血草(Limonium kaschgaricum)种群为研究对象, 对其花型构成及频率、传粉者及花粉转移效率等进行了调查分析。结果表明: 1)种群中除了存在雌/雄蕊长度交互对应的长(L)/短(S)花柱型花外, 还有雌/雄蕊同长的花(H型), 且各花型花的花冠口直径、花冠筒长及花粉量等参数间无差异, 但花粉纹饰和柱头乳突细胞形态具二型性。其中, H型花的花粉和柱头形态与L型花(或S型花)的一致。2)花型内和自花授粉均不亲和; 型间授粉时, 花粉和柱头形态不同的花型间亲和, 反之不亲和。3)种群内存在长/短吻两类传粉昆虫。在以短吻传粉者为主的盛花初、中期, L和H型花柱头上的异型花粉数均显著高于S型花的, 且L和S型花高位性器官间的异型花粉传递效率高于低位性器官间的; 而在以长吻传粉者为主的盛花后期, L和S型花的柱头间异型花粉数无显著差异, 且高/低位性器官间具有相同的异型花粉转移效率; 与传粉者出现时期相对应的、在花期不同阶段开放花的结实率也明显不同。4)长/短吻昆虫具明显不同的传粉功能, 短吻昆虫只能对L和H型花进行有效传粉, 且访花频率和型间花粉转移效率较低, 为低效传粉者; 而长吻昆虫对各花型均能有效传粉, 具高的访花频率和型间花粉转移效率, 为高效传粉者。因为长吻昆虫的阶段性出现所形成的不稳定传粉系统, 使低效的短吻昆虫可能会成为种群中花型变异的驱动力, 并使S型花受到更大的选择压力。H型花克服了柱头缩入的弊端, 可能会成为不稳定传粉系统下的一个替代花型而持续存在。     

Sequential variation in the components of reproductive success in the distylousJasminum fruticans (Oleaceae)

A 2-year study of three natural populations of the distylousJasminum fruticans showed that mean fruit and seed production were significantly greater in shortstyled plants (thrums) than in long-styled plants (pins). In this study, we investigated the role of four sequential factors which may differentially influence fruit and seed set in the two floral morphs: (1) differences in flowering phenology, (2) a limitation of pollen transfer towards pins, (3) a differential capacity of the two morphs to act through famale and male function and (4) differential fruit abortion in the two morphs. Fruit set was significantly influenced by differences in flowering phenology although there were no differences in flowering time between the two morphs. supplementary pollinations in a natural population significantly increased fruit set and reduced the difference in fruit set between the two morphs in relation to controls, indicating a limitation on pollen transfer which was most severe towards pin stigmas. In reciprocal crosses, seed set was significantly dependent on the paternal and maternal identity of the pin parent. There was no significant variation among thrums for their performance as male or female parent. Furthermore, individual pin plants with relatively high percentage seed set as female parents gave poor seed set as male parents and vice-versa. Whereas fruit removal had no effect on seed number in thrum plants, a greater proportion of viable seeds were produced on pin plants which were left to naturally mature their fruits than on pins which had fruits artificially removed, suggesting the occurrence of selective fruit abortion in pins but not in thrums. The initially greater maternal fitness of thrums due to their greater success as pollen recipients may thus be opposed by increased viable seed set in the pins due to factors acting after the pollination stage. The relative reproductive success of floral morphs in the distylousJ. fruticans is thus differentially influenced by ecological factors occurring at different stages of the reproductive process.     

Gender specialization and distyly in hoary puccoon,LITHOSPERMUM CROCEUM (Boraginaceae)

This 2-yr study of gender and its relation to the sizes of pin and thrum plants in Lithospermum croceum was performed in central Michigan. The population was composed of 51-52% thrums, 42-43% pins, and ≈6% homostyles in 1988 and 1989. Pins produced more flowers and fruits than thrums, and a greater proportion of their ovaries produced more than one nutlet. However, the number of fruits produced by pins and thrums in 1988 did not differ when plant size is a covariate in ANCOVA. The number of seeds produced by plants in 1989 is also unaffected by floral morph when size is a covariate. Instead, plant size is the most important predictor of fecundity in both years. The average percent fruit sets (fruits/ovaries) of the morphs did not differ in either year. Herbivory was more common in 1988 than in 1989, but there was no difference in the frequency with which pins and thrums were attacked. Furthermore, the effect of herbivory on fecundity did not differ for the morphs. The fecundity of neither morph was limited by pollen in 1989. Apparent gender specialization was a consequence of subtle differences in the vegetative sizes of the morphs.     

Reproductive conflicts ofPalicourea padifolia (Rubiaceae) a distylous shrub of a tropical cloud forest in Mexico

We studied a population of the distylousPalicourea padifolia (Rubiaceae) in a cloud forest remnant near Xalapa City, Veracruz, México to explore possible asymmetries between floral morphs in the attractiveness to pollinators, seed dispersers, nectar robbers, floral parasites, and herbivores. We first assessed heterostyly and reciprocal herkogamy by measuring floral attributes such as corolla length (buds and open flowers), style and anther heights, stigma and stamen lengths and the distance between the anther tip to the stigma lobe. We then estimated floral and fruit attributes such as flower size, anther height, number and size of pollen grains, fruit size, seed size, nectar production, and flower and fruit standing crops to assess differences between floral morphs in attracting and effectively using mutualistic pollinators and seed dispersers. Also, floral parasitism and nectar robbing were assessed in this study as a measure of flower attractiveness to antagonists. The system seems to conform well to classical heterostyly (e.g. reciprocal stamen/style lengths, pollen and anther dimorphism, intramorph incompatibility) yet, there were several tantalizing differences observed between pin and thrum morphs. Thrum flowers have longer corollas and larger but fewer pollen grains than pin flowers. Both morphs produced the same total number of inflorescences, developed the same number of buds, and opened the same number of flowers per inflorescence during the flowering season. Nectar production and sugar concentration were similar between floral morphs but the reward was not offered symmetrically to floral visitors throughout the day. Nectar concentration was higher in pin flowers in the afternoon. The numbers of developing, fully developed, and ripe fruits were the same between floral morphs, however, fruits and seeds were larger than those of thrums. The incidence of fly larvae was higher among thrum flowers and damage by nectar robbing was the same between floral morphs. Fruit abortion patterns of flowers manually pollinated suggest intra-morph sterility (self and intramorph incompatibility). There were no differences between morphs in fruit and seed set per flower following legitimate pollination although thrums were more leaky than the pins (intramorph compatibility).     

HETEROSTYLY,POPULATION COMPOSITION,AND POLLEN FLOW IN HEDYOTIS CAERULEA

Hedyotis caerulea is a perennial, spring-flowering herb native to eastern North America with distylous flowers that differ in a number of morphological and physiological traits. However, the pin and thrum morphs produce the same numbers of buds, flowers, and fruits per plant, although it is possible that differences in these may occur in some populations at certain times of the flowering period. The two morphs are self-incompatible and cross-compatible. Most populations contained an excess of pins over thrums (anisoplethy); less commonly pins and thrums were equally represented (isoplethy). Populations change from anisoplethy to isoplethy and in the reverse direction. The spatial distribution of pin and thrum flowers in populations was random in some populations but non-random in others. There is some indication that the two morphs in some populations have somewhat different flowering periods. Pollinators seem to be chiefly bombyliid flies and perhaps thrips, but insects were rarely observed visiting flowers. In some populations, the two morphs produced equal numbers of pollen grains per flower; in others they did not. The average pollen viability varied, but on the average there was a moderate level of pollen sterility. High numbers of pollen grains remained in dehisced anthers, probably as a result of low pollinator activity. However, between 5% and 9% of the pollen produced participated in pollination. Stigmas of most pin flowers received more pin pollen grains than thrum pollen grains; on stigmas of thrum flowers pin pollen grains outnumbered thrum pollen grains. Thus, compatible pollen flow from pins to thrums was greater than in the reverse direction. Anisoplethic and isoplethic populations had the same pollen flow patterns. A plant-by-plant examination of stigmas indicated that many stigmas bore few or no pollen grains. Seed production of the two morphs was equal. Despite the inequities in pollen flow patterns, the widespread and occasionally weedy nature of H. caerulea suggests that its breeding system must be viewed as a successful one.     

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF DISTYLOUS PARTRIDGEBERRY,MITCHELLA REPENS

Long-styled (pin) and short-styled (thrum) plants in populations of Mitchella repens from North Carolina and New York displayed strongly clumped spatial dispersion. This distribution pattern results from the tendency of these prostrate perennials to spread by production of trailing stems with adventitious roots. Both morphs, in both populations, exhibited natural fruit set exceeding 86%. This percentage was not increased by hand-pollination. Although the number of ovules per pair of ovaries was fixed at eight in each morph, numbers of seeds per fruit in naturally pollinated flowers differed significantly between pins (4.3) and thrums (6.4) in the North Carolina population. In the New York population, no significant differences were found (pins had 5.0 seeds per fruit; thrums, 4.4). Artificial pollinations in both populations showed low seed set in intramorph cross-pollinations as compared with intermorph crosses. The flowers of M. repens were visited by native species of Bombus, which visited many flowers in each patch of plants. These insects moved frequently from patch to patch, effecting intermorph cross-pollination and maintaining high levels of seed set. Movement among patches may be promoted by the dispersion of nectar rewards, with flowers about to open or just opened providing maximum amounts of nectar. Calculations of functional gender suggested that in the North Carolina population, thrums contributed more than 75% of the genes transmitted by ovule production. This contrasts strongly with previous studies of unequal sexual contributions in distylous taxa, which have demonstrated greater female contributions by pins. In the New York population, however, nearly equal contributions by pins and thrums through pollen and ovule production occurred, a situation similar to that found in most distylous species. This appears to be the first demonstration of variation in functional gender between populations of a single species.     

AN UNUSUAL KIND OF DISTYLY IN QUINCHAMALIUM CHILENSE (SANTALACEAE) ON VOLCÁN CASABLANCA,SOUTHERN CHILE

In mature flowers of the southern Andean parasitic herb, Quinchamalium chilense (Santalaceae), the stigmas and anthers are closer together in the pin morph than in the thrum morph. While the stigmas and anthers of the two morphs are in reciprocal positions as the flowers open, such reciprocity is lost as the result of post-anthesis allometric growth of the styles and stamens. Experimental pollinations reveal that both morphs of Q. chilense are self-compatible. Natural fruit set is higher on the pin morph. The latter is also statistically under-represented in natural populations with respect to a 1:1 ratio for pins and thrums. Pin flowers produce larger numbers of pollen grains than thrum flowers and pollen of pin flowers is smaller in size than that of thrum flowers. Higher fruit set on the pin morph is consistent with some tendency towards subdioecious breeding behavior, although an expected excess of geitonogamous pollinations on the pin morph might also be contributing to the difference in fruit set on the two morphs. The unusual floral morphology of Q. chilense could have evolved as a result of selection for larger flowers by certain pollinator groups less likely to effect geitonogamous pollination. Alternatively, extended development of post-anthesis flowers might be a reflection of selection for an array of flower sizes on individual inflorescences, producing a target effect for pollinator attraction. The evolution of such inflorescence morphology would have been facilitated by the fact that a trend in the direction of subdioecious breeding behavior accrues the same outcrossing advantages as strict distyly. Precise information on periods of stigma receptivity is required to further our understanding of the floral morphology of Q. chilense.     

DEMONSTRATION OF CRYPTIC INCOMPATIBILITY IN DISTYLOUS AMSINCKIA DOUGLASIANA

Hand pollinations experiments with distylous Amsinckia douglasiana A. DC. (Boraginaceae) revealed that legitimate (intermorph) crosses produce more seed than self-pollinations and that self-pollinations yield more seed than illegitimate (intramorph) crosses. We tested the occurrence of cryptic incompatibility in both style-length morphs by pollinating them with a mixture of legitimate and illegitimate pollen, each homozygous for a different electrophoretically distinguishable allele of phosphoglucose isomerase. The success of intramorph pollen was greatly reduced in mixture; only about 4% of the offspring of both pins and thrums were sired by illegitimate pollen. One pin and one thrum had sufficiently high seed set that the results cannot be attributed to selective abortion of embryos. In those individuals, discrimination against illegitimate pollen must have occurred on the stigma or in the style. Based on our findings, it appears that illegitimate matings are rare in natural populations. The progeny of legitimate crosses was biased toward pins, which suggests some regulation of morph ratios independent of the style-length locus. Prezygotic discrimination against the thrum genotype or selective abortion of embryos with the thrum genotype are both possible, but selective mortality of seedlings with the thrum genotype cannot be ruled out for some families.     

Flower Development and the Evolution of Self-fertilization in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amsinckia</Emphasis>: The Role of Heterochrony

We studied the development of 26 flower traits under natural conditions in three clades of the genus Amsinckia (Boraginaceae). Each clade contained both a derived highly self-fertilizing taxon and an ancestral more highly outcrossing taxon. The more outcrossing taxa contained two flower morphs—pins and thrums—with opposite positioning of the sex organs (heterostyly). The highly selfing taxa had smaller flowers with sex organs in close proximity (homostyly). Growth trajectories were quantified over the entire or nearly the entire period from primordium initiation to flower opening. These trajectories were compared in the heterochronic framework and, in contrast with previous studies, character size was tracked over time rather than relative to another character. We focused on three hypotheses: (1) The distinct developmental trajectories leading to pins and thrums should be similar in all clades, while the trajectories leading to homostylous flowers might differ among clades. This was supported. Specifically, contrasting growth rates of stamen and pistil heights in heterostylous flowers caused pin and thrum flowers to have the reciprocal arrangement of anther and stigma heights. From the viewpoint of heterochrony, the decreased size (paedomorphosis) of the homostylous morph, compared to pins and thrums, resulted from decreased growth rate (neoteny) and earlier offset (progenesis) in all clades. Nevertheless, multiple heterochronic processes were involved in the mosaic development and evolution of homostylous flowers. (2) We tested the hypothesis that small, self-fertilizing flowers have reduced development times, one of the proposed selective advantages of increased self-fertilization rates. We found in contrast that developmental duration of homostylous flowers was either the same (two clades) or longer (one clade) compared to duration of pins and thrums. (3) Finally, we tested von Baer’s Law, which proposes that developmental differences among closely related taxa should arise later in development than differences among more distantly related taxa. Von Baer’s Law was supported strongly among homostyles, moderately among thrums and weakly among pins.     

Quantitative evaluation of reciprocal herkogamy in the distylous species, Hedyotis caerulea (Rubiaceae)

Hedyotis caerulea possesses two distinct floral morphs that are generally found in equal numbers in naturally occurring populations. Flowers either possess a relatively long style and short anthers, called a “pin,” or a short style and long anthers, called a “thrum.” This placement of reproductive organs is considered herkogamous and distylous, as it encourages outcrossing by restricting pollination to individuals of the alternate morph. Numerous species have been described as distylous without quantitative data establishing stigma-anther reciprocity. Here we assess those assumptions in H. caerulea by measuring stigma height, anther height and a suite of additional floral traits across multiple localities. All populations surveyed were isoplethic, although variation among them was present in all floral traits measured as well as for pollen diameter, pollen count, flower dry weight, and seed set. Pins produced smaller pollen than thrums, but made more of them. Thus, the total volume of pollen was similar for pins and thrums, and seed set was similar, suggesting that each morph has equal male and female fitness with no movement towards dioecy. Given a significant degree of variation found in the morphometric analysis, and that two of the three measures used to assess reciprocity were not consistent with predictions of precise symmetry, extensive change is possible where selection is acting on these traits. Even so, the distylous mating system in H. caerulea appears to be stable.     

Pollen Flow,Fecundity, and the Adaptive Significance of Heterostyly in Palicourea padifolia (Rubiaceae)1

Palicourea padifolia is a distlous shrub visited primarily by hummingbirds and bees in mid-elevation rain forests in Costa Rica. At Las Cruces Biological Station, the population of P. padifolia is composed of equal numbers of pin and thrum plants and morphs are randomly distributed. Like the majority of distylous species, P. padifolia exhibits a self and intramorph-incompatible mating system. The analysis of stigmatic pollen loads obtained from emasculated flowers shows that pollen flow between floral morphs is disassortative, which supports the Darwinian hypothesis concerning the adaptive significance of heterostyly. Pins experience greater disassortative pollination than thrums. Pins also set more seed than thrums, suggesting that the higher frequency of compatible pollen deposited on pin stigmas results in greater fecundity; alternatively, greater seed set in pins could be due to the differential allocation of resources to male and female function between morphs. Overall, seed set for the Las Cruces popularion of P. padifolia is much lower than the potential maximum. Factors which could contribute to seed set limitation include the frequency and/or spatial pattern of pollinator visits, pollen availability, and resource availability.