Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

How depressed? Estimates of inbreeding effects during seed development depend on reproductive conditions

Harder, L.D.; Hobbhahn, N.; Richards, S.A.

Authors

L.D. Harder

N. Hobbhahn

S.A. Richards



Abstract

Inbreeding depression can reduce the performance of offspring produced by mating between relatives, with consequences for population dynamics and sexual-system evolution. In flowering plants, inbreeding depression commonly acts most intensely during seed development. This predispersal component is typically estimated by comparing seed production following exclusive self- and cross-pollination, but such estimates are unbiased only if seed production is limited by ovule availability, rather than by pollen receipt or seed-development resources. To overcome this problem, we propose experimental and statistical methods based on a model of ovule fertilization and seed development that accounts for differential fertilization by self- and cross-pollen, limited ovule viability or receptivity, differential survival of self- and cross-zygotes and limited resource availability. Simulations illustrate that the proposed methods eliminate bias in estimated predispersal inbreeding depression caused by pollen limitation and can improve estimates under resource limitation. Application of these methods to two orchid species further demonstrates their utility in identifying and estimating diverse influences on reproductive performance under typical conditions. Although our theoretical results raise questions about the reported intensity of predispersal inbreeding depression, our proposed methods guard against bias while also providing insight into plant reproduction.

Citation

Harder, L., Hobbhahn, N., & Richards, S. (2012). How depressed? Estimates of inbreeding effects during seed development depend on reproductive conditions. Evolution: International Journal of Organic Evolution, 66(5), 1375-1386. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1558-5646.2011.01515.x

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date 2012-05
Deposit Date Oct 27, 2011
Journal Evolution
Print ISSN 0014-3820
Electronic ISSN 1558-5646
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 66
Issue 5
Pages 1375-1386
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1558-5646.2011.01515.x
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1503222