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New Phytol

Title:		Ecological causes and consequences of flower color polymorphism in a self-pollinating plant (Boechera stricta)
Author(s):		Vaidya P; McDurmon A; Mattoon E; Keefe M; Carley L; Lee CR; Bingham R; Anderson JT;
Address:		"The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Crested Butte, CO, 81224, USA. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3B2, Canada. Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA. Department of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Western State Colorado University, Gunnison, CO, 81231, USA. University Program in Ecology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA. Institute of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology & Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. Department of Genetics and Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA"
Journal Title:		New Phytol
Year:		2018
Volume:		20180125
Issue:		1
Page Number:		380 - 392
DOI:		10.1111/nph.14998
ISSN/ISBN:		1469-8137 (Electronic) 0028-646X (Linking)
Abstract:		"Intraspecific variation in flower color is often attributed to pollinator-mediated selection, yet this mechanism cannot explain flower color polymorphisms in self-pollinating species. Indirect selection mediated via biotic and abiotic stresses could maintain flower color variation in these systems. The selfing forb, Boechera stricta, typically displays white flowers, but some individuals produce purple flowers. We quantified environmental correlates of flower color in natural populations. To disentangle plasticity from genotypic variation, we performed a multiyear field experiment in five gardens. In controlled conditions, we evaluated herbivore preferences and the effects of drought stress and soil pH on flower color expression. In natural populations, purple-flowered individuals experienced lower foliar herbivory than did their white-flowered counterparts. This pattern also held in the common gardens. Additionally, low-elevation environments induced pigmented flowers (plasticity), and the likelihood of floral pigmentation decreased with source elevation of maternal families (genetic cline). Viability selection favored families with pigmented flowers. In the laboratory, herbivores exerted greater damage on tissue derived from white- vs purple-flowered individuals. Furthermore, drought induced pigmentation in white-flowered lineages, and white-flowered plants had a fecundity advantage in the well-watered control. Flower color variation in selfing species is probably maintained by herbivory, drought stress, and other abiotic factors that vary spatially"
Keywords:		"Brassicaceae/genetics/*physiology Droughts *Ecological and Environmental Phenomena Flowers/*physiology Herbivory Hydrogen-Ion Concentration Pigmentation/*physiology Pollination/*physiology Soil Stress, Physiological Boechera stricta drought flower color g;"
Notes:		"MedlineVaidya, Priya McDurmon, Ansley Mattoon, Emily Keefe, Michaela Carley, Lauren Lee, Cheng-Ruei Bingham, Robin Anderson, Jill T eng Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. England 2018/01/26 New Phytol. 2018 Apr; 218(1):380-392. doi: 10.1111/nph.14998. Epub 2018 Jan 25"