Abstract Detail

Conference Wide

kariyat ramachandran, rupesh ram [3], scanlon, sarah [1], mescher, mark [2], demoraes, consuelo [2], Stephenson, Andrew G. [3].

Effects of inbreeding and herbivory over generations in Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense L).

The effects of inbreeding depression are reported to be stronger in species that typically outcross than in species that typically self (Johnston and Schoen, 1996); moreover, the effects of inbreeding can vary among families within populations (Dudash et al., 1997). However, there is little information regarding the long-term effects of inbreeding depression in wild plant populations across multiple generations under natural conditions. This study investigated differences between inbred and outbred progeny from 8 maternal families of Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense L) in fitness, susceptibility to herbivory, and production of new sprouts. Sixteen plants—one inbred and one outbred progeny from each family—all carrying a different combination of self incompatibility alleles (Variants of the Polymorphic S locus) were planted in each of 2 fields in 2008, and data on fruit number, seeds per fruit, and overall fitness was collected. After the first growing season, plants overwintered and new sprouts emerged in early summer 2009. Data on time of sprouting, number of sprouts, leaf damage, and number of fruits, seeds/fruit and overall fitness was collected for the second generation. To examine how herbivory differentially affected the fitness of inbred and outbred progenies, one of the fields was sprayed with the contact insecticide Carbaryl 0.05% four times during the growing season. Genomic DNA was extracted and amplified from leaf samples of the new sprouts and self incompatibility alleles were identified to determine parentage. We found that (1) outbreds (both parents and second generation sprouts) produced significantly higher number of fruits and seeds, and had better fitness than inbreds, (2) outbred parents produced significantly higher numbers of new sprouts in the second generation and their sprouts germinated at least 2-3 days earlier, (3) both inbreds and outbreds from the sprayed field produced higher number of fruits and seeds, but (4) herbivory had a greater impact on the fruit production and fitness of outbred progeny.

Broader Impacts:

1 - the pennsylvania state university, biology, 316 mueller lab, dept of biology, state college, pa, 16801, usa
2 - the pennsylvania state university, entomology, 555 ASI building, dept of entomology, state college, pa, 16801, usa
3 - Pennsylvania State University, Department of Biology, 202 Mueller Lab, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802-5301, USA

Keywords:
inbreeding
fitness
generations.

Presentation Type: Recent Topics Poster
Session: P
Location: Hall A/Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 2nd, 2010
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PRT013
Abstract ID:1115