Unisexual flowers as a resolution to intralocus sexual conflict in hermaphrodites.

ABSTRACT: In dioecious populations, males and females may evolve different trait values to increase fitness through their respective sexual functions. Because hermaphrodites express both sexual functions, resolving sexual conflict is potentially more difficult for them. Here, we show that hermaphrodite plants can partially resolve sexual conflict by expressing different trait values in different male and female modules (e.g. different flowers, inflorescences, branches etc.). We analysed the flowering phenology, sex allocation and selection gradients on floral traits of flowers of the andromonoecious plant Pulsatilla alpina, which produces both bisexual and male flowers. Our results indicate that strong protogyny prevents early bisexual flowers from profiting from high siring opportunities ear

SUBMITTER: Chen KH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10685137 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature