The evolution of distyly in Primula vulgaris

Abstract

Experiments on pollen flow and seed production were performed in populations of P. vulgaris in order to examine the roles of selection for reduced self-pollination in a partially self-fertile morph, selection for reduced stigma clogging, selection for a pollen saving effect, and selection for disassortative pollination in the evolution of morphological distyly (reciprocal herkogamy). Selection for reduced self-pollination and disassortative pollination were shown to have a plausible role in the evolution of this dimorphism. Selection for reduced stigma clogging and pollen saving appeared to have no obvious role in the evolution of morphological distyly.