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Trade-offs between sexual and asexual reproduction in the genus Mimulus

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Summary

Six estimates of resource allocation to sexual reproduction (nectar concentration, nectar volume, sugar production, pollinator visitation rates, fruit-set, and seed production) and a single estimate of resource allocation to asexual reproduction (the rate of rooted-branch production) were examined for five species of Mimulus. There were significant interspecific differences for all paramaters. With the exception of nectar concentration, there was 1) a consistent positive correlation among the parameters measuring allocation to sexual reproduction, and 2) a significant negative correlation between parameters measuring allocation to sexual reproduction and the rate of rooted-branch production (asexual reproduction). The results indicate that Mimulus species which produce the highest volumes of nectar 1) receive the most pollinator visits, 2) have the highest fruit-set, 3) produce the most seeds, and 4) produce the fewest rooted branches.

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Sutherland, S., Vickery, R.K. Trade-offs between sexual and asexual reproduction in the genus Mimulus . Oecologia 76, 330–335 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00377025

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