“I think she’s compensating for something!” A case of anther envy in the seemingly perfect world of Mimulus guttatus. Joceline V. Vu The University of Virginia Dr. Michael J. Wise Summer Research 2009 Blandy Experimental Farm

Blandy Experimental Farm Boyce, VA

Breeding Systems in Plants hermaphroditism dioecy monoecy gynodioecy

? male-sterility: reproductive cost How can females compensate in a hermaphroditic population? Problem of Interest

Hermaphrodite (perfect) Male-Sterile (Female)

Questions Compensating for reproductive costs -Fecundity? -Pollinator attraction? Plant Performance Experiment Pollinator Preference Experiment Plant Performance Experiment

Methods 1392 seedlings 611 from female lines606 from perfect lines “sterile-sibling perfect” 59313

Plant Performance Experiment Corolla Width and Length Fruit Count Ovule Count Corolla Width and Length Fruit CountOvule Count Corolla Width and Length Fruit CountOvule Count

Corolla Width P = 0.01 p < Corolla Length p = 0.01 Female flowers are larger than perfect flowers

Females flower earlier than hermaphrodites p = 0.03

Females produce more fruits and more ovules/fruit p < Fruit NumberOvule Number

Summary: Plant Performance Females have bigger flowers, more fruits, and more ovules/fruit

Pollinator Preference

Floral Display, Plant Visits, Flowers/Plant Visit

Trial 1Trial 3Trial 2 a a a b b b b b b Female plants have a larger floral display but…

Trial 1Trial 3Trial 2 a a a b a b b ab Flower visits per plant visit is higher for perfect plants than females ab

Floral display affects flower visits per plant visit for perfect flowers Hermaphrodites: r = 0.30; p = Females: r = 0.10; p = 0.35

Summary: Pollinator Preference Bees visit all plants equally Once on a hermaphrodite, they stay longer Fertilization? Inbreeding?

Conclusions Can female plants compensate enough to compete in a perfect world? fecundity pollination

Acknowledgements

Questions?