Evolution of pistil length as a choice mechanism for pollen quality
(2001) In Oikos 92(1). p.81-90- Abstract
- During the fertilisation process in plants, pollen tube growth rate may be selected as a trait important in male to male competition. Since female morphology provides the necessary selective arena for such competition. we investigate if sexual selection theory can be used to explain the evolution of pistil length as a female choice mechanism. This choice is performed by direct interference with male to male competition. Furthermore, the sessile nature of plants limits the number of mates a female can choose between, which could limit the benefit a female can gain from distinguishing between donors. To mirror these circumstances, we model a situation when there are only two competitors at a time. Using a game theoretical approach we show... (More)
- During the fertilisation process in plants, pollen tube growth rate may be selected as a trait important in male to male competition. Since female morphology provides the necessary selective arena for such competition. we investigate if sexual selection theory can be used to explain the evolution of pistil length as a female choice mechanism. This choice is performed by direct interference with male to male competition. Furthermore, the sessile nature of plants limits the number of mates a female can choose between, which could limit the benefit a female can gain from distinguishing between donors. To mirror these circumstances, we model a situation when there are only two competitors at a time. Using a game theoretical approach we show that if pollen tube growth rate can be used as an indication of heritable quality, pistil length can be selected in response to variation of this trait. We further find that length of the pistil affects selection of pollen tube growth rate. Thus female preference and male competitive ability co-evolve, but this does not necessarily lead to a positive relationship between the two. Under certain circumstances we find a negative relation instead. Given realistic differences in male quality, the model indicates that there is a potential for evolution of female morphology as a choice mechanism for pollen quality. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/147663
- author
- Lankinen, Åsa LU and Skogsmyr, Io LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2001
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Oikos
- volume
- 92
- issue
- 1
- pages
- 81 - 90
- publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:0035137437
- ISSN
- 1600-0706
- DOI
- 10.1034/j.1600-0706.2001.920110.x
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Theoretical ecology (Closed 2011) (011006011), Department of Ecology (Closed 2011) (011006010)
- id
- 721bdbd0-5c80-4d00-9833-a3c3afb95eac (old id 147663)
- date added to LUP
- 2016-04-01 12:00:07
- date last changed
- 2022-02-11 00:31:28
@article{721bdbd0-5c80-4d00-9833-a3c3afb95eac,
abstract = {{During the fertilisation process in plants, pollen tube growth rate may be selected as a trait important in male to male competition. Since female morphology provides the necessary selective arena for such competition. we investigate if sexual selection theory can be used to explain the evolution of pistil length as a female choice mechanism. This choice is performed by direct interference with male to male competition. Furthermore, the sessile nature of plants limits the number of mates a female can choose between, which could limit the benefit a female can gain from distinguishing between donors. To mirror these circumstances, we model a situation when there are only two competitors at a time. Using a game theoretical approach we show that if pollen tube growth rate can be used as an indication of heritable quality, pistil length can be selected in response to variation of this trait. We further find that length of the pistil affects selection of pollen tube growth rate. Thus female preference and male competitive ability co-evolve, but this does not necessarily lead to a positive relationship between the two. Under certain circumstances we find a negative relation instead. Given realistic differences in male quality, the model indicates that there is a potential for evolution of female morphology as a choice mechanism for pollen quality.}},
author = {{Lankinen, Åsa and Skogsmyr, Io}},
issn = {{1600-0706}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{1}},
pages = {{81--90}},
publisher = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
series = {{Oikos}},
title = {{Evolution of pistil length as a choice mechanism for pollen quality}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0706.2001.920110.x}},
doi = {{10.1034/j.1600-0706.2001.920110.x}},
volume = {{92}},
year = {{2001}},
}