Genetic factors associated with mating system cause a partial reproductive barrier between two parapatric species of leavenworthia (brassicaceae).

ABSTRACT: Reproductive barriers play a major role in the origin and maintenance of biodiversity by restricting gene flow between species. Although both pre- and postzygotic barriers often isolate species, prezygotic barriers are thought to contribute more to reproductive isolation. We investigated possible reproductive barriers between Leavenworthia alabamica and L. crassa, parapatric species with high morphological and ecological similarity and the ability to hybridize. Using greenhouse and field experiments, we tested for habitat isolation and genetic incompatibilities. From controlled crosses, we identified unilateral incompatibility (a partial prezygotic barrier associated with the self-incompatibility system), but no evidence of other genetic incompatibilities. We found a small reduction in pol

SUBMITTER: Koelling VA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2879664 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature