Evol Ecol Res 8: 1101-1116 (2006)     Full PDF if your library subscribes.

The relationship between the pollen–ovule ratio and seed size: a comparative test of a sex allocation hypothesis

Lars Götzenberger,* Walter Durka, Ingolf Kühn and Stefan Klotz

Department of Community Ecology, Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, D-06120 Halle, Germany

Author to whom all correspondence should be addressed.
e-mail: lars.goetzenberger@ufz.de

ABSTRACT

Hypothesis: Sex allocation theory predicts that the pollen–ovule ratio should increase linearly with increasing seed size among seed plants (Charnov, 1982).

Data examined: We retrieved data for the pollen–ovule ratio, seed size, and possible confounding variables (ovule number, plant height, mating system) from a database and additional literature for 299 gymnosperm plant species of the German flora.

Methods: We analysed uncorrected cross-species data as well as phylogenetically independent contrasts with Model II regressions and (partial) correlations.

Results: A linear positive correlation between pollen–ovule ratio and seed size was found to exist across all plant species analysed and within different mating systems for phylogenetically corrected and uncorrected data. This positive correlation remained valid when we controlled for the effect of possible confounding variables.

Conclusions: The interspecific variation of the pollen–ovule ratio depends, at least partly, on the allocation of resources to female sexual function.

Keywords: comparative analysis, mating system, pollen–ovule ratio, seed size, sex allocation.

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        © 2006 Lars Götzenberger. All EER articles are copyrighted by their authors. All authors endorse, permit and license Evolutionary Ecology Ltd. to grant its subscribing institutions/libraries the copying privileges specified below without additional consideration or payment to them or to Evolutionary Ecology, Ltd. These endorsements, in writing, are on file in the office of Evolutionary Ecology, Ltd. Consult authors for permission to use any portion of their work in derivative works, compilations or to distribute their work in any commercial manner.

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