Phenotypic Selection on Flowering Phenology in Senecio integrifolius, a Perennial Herb

Abstract

For natural selection to shape a flowering phenology three conditions must be met ; there must be phenotypic variation in phenology having a genetic basis, and this variation must be correlated with variation in reproductive success or survival. Earlier studies demonstrated a significant genetic component of variation in phenological rank order in the self-incompatible, perennial herb, Senecio integrifolius. Here I test if plants with different phenological rank order differ in female reproductive success, and examine the mechanisms behind differential fecundity (...)