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The evolutionary breakdown of distyly inLinum tenuifolium (Linaceae)

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Abstract

Distyly inLinum tenuifolium L. is associated with a high degree of self-incompatibility. Breakdown in this system has occurred without the morphological rearrangement expected as the result of cross-over within the distyly supergene. Pollen-flow in both distylous and monomorphic populations is leptokurtic. A high proportion of intra-flower pollination occurs. Pollen production per ovule is reduced in the self-compatible race. Mean seed-set is increased. Individuals of the self-compatible race produce less vegetative growth and require a shorter time to reach reproductive maturity under cultivation. Increased fecundity appears to provide the selective advantage promoting the breakdown of self-incompatibility in this species. This is achieved through a massive shift of resources toward female reproductive function in plants of the monomorphic race. Subsequent colonization by this race has led to its increased distribution in C. & S. Europe.

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  1. Marc S. Nicholls

    Present address: Institut für Systematische Botanik, Universität Zürich, Zollikerstrasse 107, CH-8008, Zürich, Switzerland

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  1. Botany Department, University of Reading, RG6 2AS, Whiteknights, Reading, England, UK

    Marc S. Nicholls

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Nicholls, M.S. The evolutionary breakdown of distyly inLinum tenuifolium (Linaceae). Pl Syst Evol 150, 291–301 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00984203

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00984203

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