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Abstract Detail



Reproductive Processes

Van Drunen, Wendy [1], Friedman, Jannice [2].

The effect of life history strategy and clonal reproduction on autopolyploid establishment.

Polyploidy is a significant component of the evolutionary history of many taxa, particularly in plant groups. However, because the nascent stages of polyploid evolution in natural populations are difficult to observe and test empirically, the factors promoting or preventing polyploid establishment are often unclear. For instance, though perenniality and clonal reproduction were first associated with polyploid occurrence by researchers in the 1930s, important questions regarding how these traits influence the polyploid establishment process remain unanswered. Here, we develop spatially-explicit agent-based simulation models to explore how a perennial life history strategy and clonality influence polyploid establishment, focusing on the consequences of spatially structured populations and clonal architecture on mating patterns. Our models show that polyploids have increased establishment probability when polyploid lifespans are long, especially when unreduced gamete production is non-zero. This effect was moderated by competition for space in the population, such that polyploids were more likely to establish among diploids that are long-lived perennials vs. short-lived annuals. Polyploids that combine sexual and clonal reproduction experienced high rates of establishment across a range of life history strategies, largely due to an increase in intracytotype mating via geitonogamous selfing between clonal ramets. There were significant differences in establishment probability and establishment speed between polyploids with different clonal strategies, which directly altered the mechanisms through which polyploids were able to gain a foothold in the diploid population. Polyploid genets with spreading clonal architecture were most successful across parameter space, but tightly clumped genets had similar establishment probability when pollen dispersal was local and inbreeding depression was low. Overall, we find that polyploid establishment is unlikely among short-lived plants, and the influence of clonal reproduction is significantly dependent on the spatial aspects of clonal strategy. Our study provides insight into the complex relationship between polyploidy, perenniality, and clonal reproduction, and offers testable predictions for future research.


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1 - Queen's University, Biology, 116 Barrie St., Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada
2 - Queen's University, Biology Department, Biosciences Complex , 116 Barrie Street, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada

Keywords:
polyploidy
clonal reproduction
minority cytotype exclusion
theory
life history
perenniality.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: RP2, Reproductive Processes 2
Location: /
Date: Thursday, July 22nd, 2021
Time: 1:30 PM(EDT)
Number: RP2005
Abstract ID:224
Candidate for Awards:None


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