Seasonal variation in the mating system of a selfing annual with large floral displays.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Flowering plants display considerable variation in mating system, specifically the relative frequency of cross- and self-fertilization. The majority of estimates of outcrossing rate do not account for temporal variation, particularly during the flowering season. Here, we investigated seasonal variation in mating and fertility in Incarvillea sinensis (Bignoniaceae), an annual with showy, insect-pollinated, 'one-day' flowers capable of delayed selfing. We examined the influence of several biotic and abiotic environmental factors on day-to-day variation in fruit set, seed set and patterns of mating.

Methods

We recorded daily flower number and pollinator abundance in nine 3 × 3-m patches in a population at Mu Us Sand land, Inner Mongolia, China. From marked f

SUBMITTER: Yin G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4765542 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature