Contrasting inbreeding depression in early and late stages of the life cycle of a Mediterranean shrub, Anagyris foetida (Leguminosae)

Authors : Francisco Javier VALTUEÑA, Josefa LÓPEZ, Ana ORTEGAOLIVENCIA

Pages : 334-346

Doi:10.3906/bot-1303-28

View : 20 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Anagyris foetida L. has a Mediterranean distribution, but its populations are highly fragmented. This, together with its mixed mating system, puts it at clear risk of being strongly affected by inbreeding depression. To determine the effect of inbreeding depression in this species, hand pollinations were performed during the 2003/04 season in 2 populations from SW Spain to generate selfed and outcrossed seeds. These seeds were divided in 2 sample lots and seedlings were obtained in different years. During the first year of life the first lot showed no differences in vegetative parameters between the 2 populations, so that no differentiation was made between populations in analyzing the results. Reproductive parameters were determined during the first 2 flowering periods in the second sample lot. The results showed inbreeding depression to be manifest in the populations studied throughout the life cycle, adversely affecting the reproductive parameters more than the vegetative parameters, with the male capacity being strongly affected. This shows the need to study the entire life cycle to understand how it is affected by inbreeding depression, and to analyze more than one flowering period in long-lived species. The findings may have important implications for the long-term conservation management of these populations.
Keywords : Key words Fabaceae, fitness, flower production, reproductive capacity, seedling survival