Asymmetrical crossing barriers in angiosperms

Patterns of reproductive isolation between species may provide insight into the mechanisms and evolution of barriers to interspecific gene exchange. We used data from published interspecific hybridization experiments from 14 genera of angiosperms in order to test for the presence of asymmetrical bar...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences Biological sciences, 2001-04, Vol.268 (1469), p.861-867
Main Authors: Tiffin, P., Olson, S., Moyle, L. C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alleles
Artificial Hybridizations
Biological taxonomies
Crosses, Genetic
Evolution
Evolutionary genetics
Gene Flow
Hybridity
Hybridization, Genetic
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliopsida - genetics
Nuclear-Cytoplasmic Interactions
Plants
Pollen
Reproduction - genetics
Reproductive Isolation
Speciation
Species Specificity
Viability
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Summary:Patterns of reproductive isolation between species may provide insight into the mechanisms and evolution of barriers to interspecific gene exchange. We used data from published interspecific hybridization experiments from 14 genera of angiosperms in order to test for the presence of asymmetrical barriers to gene exchange. Reproductive isolation was examined at three life-history stages: the ability of interspecific crosses to produce seeds, the viability of F1 hybrids, and the fertility of F1 hybrids. Statistically significant asymmetries in the strength of reproductive isolation between species were detected in all genera and at each of the three life-history stages. Asymmetries in seed production may be caused by a variety of mechanisms including differences in stigma/style lengths, self compatibility and differential fruit abortion. Asymmetries in post-zygotic isolation are probably caused by nuclear-cytoplasmic interactions. Asymmetrical reproductive isolation between plant taxa may have important implications for the dynamics of hybrid zones, the direction of genetic introgression and the probability of reinforcement.
ISSN:0962-8452
1471-2954
DOI:10.1098/rspb.2000.1578