Conflicting selection pressures on reproductive functions and speciation in plants |
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Authors: | Åsa Lankinen Mattias C Larsson |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Plant Ecology and Systematics, Lund University, Ecology Building, 22362 Lund, Sweden;(2) Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 44, 23053 Alnarp, Sweden |
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Abstract: | Recent developments in the field of genetic divergence and speciation focus more on diversifying processes than on geographic
mode of speciation (i.e. allopatric versus sympatric). Some of these new theories concern speciation driven by conflicts between
the sexes. Even though it is well known that the two reproductive functions in plants can have different selective optima,
sexual selection in plants is by many assumed to be weak or non-existent. Here we outline potential sexual conflicts in plants
and discuss how selection pressures generated by such conflicts may influence genetic divergence. There is opportunity for
conflicting selection pressures between individuals, such as manipulative pollen traits that enhance male reproductive success
at the expense of the female reproductive function. Within individual plants, fitness of the male function (pollen export)
and fitness of the female function (pollen import) may be optimised by different traits, leading to conflicting selection
pressures in relation to pollen transfer. This may affect selection for floral specialisation versus floral generalisation
in animal-pollinated species. We believe that selection pressures generated by sexual conflict need to be appreciated in order
to fully understand microevolutionary processes which may lead to genetic divergence and speciation in plants. |
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Keywords: | Pollen competition Pollination Reproductive isolation Sexual conflicts Specialisation Speciation |
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