Abstract Detail

Reproductive Processes

Friedman, Jannice [1], Aljiboury, Abrar [2].

Mating and fitness consequences of variation in male allocation in a wind-pollinated plant.

In hermaphrodites, the allocation of resources to each sex function can influence fitness through mating success. Sex allocation theory predicts that in wind-pollinated plants, male fitness should increase linearly with investment of resources into male function but there have been few empirical tests of this prediction. In a field experiment we experimentally manipulated allocation to male function in Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common ragweed) and measured mating success in contrasting phenotypes using genetic markers. We investigated the effects of morphological traits and flowering phenology on male siring success, and on the diversity of mates. Our results provide evidence for a linear relation between allocation to male function, mating and fitness. We find earlier onset of male flowering time increases reproductive success, whereas later flowering increases the probability of mating with diverse individuals. Our study is among the first empirical studies testing the prediction of linear male fitness returns in wind pollinated plants and emphasize the importance of a large investment into male function by wind pollinated plants and mating consequences of temporal variation in sex allocation.

1 - Queen's University, Biology Department, 116 Barrie Street, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada
2 - Syracuse University, Biology, 107 College Place, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA

Keywords:
gain curves
protandry
mate diversity
monoecy
sex allocation
wind pollination.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Number: RP5004
Abstract ID:738
Candidate for Awards:None