HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (18) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Daehler, C. C. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Daehler, C. C. Agricola Articles by Daehler, C. C.

Inbreeding depression in smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora, Poaceae) invading San Francisco Bay¹

^a Center for Population Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, California 95616

The magnitude of inbreeding depression in invading plant populations is often presumed to be small and of little consequence. The purpose of this study was to assess the magnitude of inbreeding depression in a pollen-limited, partially self-incompatible, invading plant population. The magnitude and timing of inbreeding depression were compared among ten maternal plants sampled from a population of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) invading San Francisco Bay. Selfed and outcrossed progeny were compared for embryo abortion, survival of seedlings, and growth/survival at the end of the first growing season in three greenhouse environments. Estimates of inbreeding depression varied among environments, with competitive environment > high-nutrient environment > low-nutrient environment. Population-level estimates of inbreeding depression ranged from 0.61 to 0.81; however, maternal plants varied significantly in their magnitude of inbreeding depression, ranging from 0.1 to 0.97. The 95% confidence interval for inbreeding depression for some maternal plants included zero. There was a significant negative correlation between the overall magnitude of inbreeding depression and self-fertility rate among maternal plants. The few maternal plants with high self-fertility carried relatively little genetic load, and their selfed progeny are likely to survive on open mudflats. The noncompetitive, pollen-limited growing conditions associated with invasion may allow self-fertility to spread in this population.

Key Words: cross-pollination • embryo abortion • founder population • inbreeding depression • plant invasion • Poaceae • population evolution • self-fertility, Spartina alterniflora

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. Mustajarvi, P. Siikamaki, and A. Akerberg Inbreeding depression in perennial Lychnis viscaria (Caryophyllaceae): effects of population mating history and nutrient availability Am. J. Botany, November 1, 2005; 92(11): 1853 - 1861. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. W. Fox Problems in measuring among-family variation in inbreeding depression Am. J. Botany, November 1, 2005; 92(11): 1929 - 1932. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. T. Brock The potential for genetic assimilation of a native dandelion species, Taraxacum ceratophorum (Asteraceae), by the exotic congener T. officinale Am. J. Botany, May 1, 2004; 91(5): 656 - 663. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. V. Good-Avila, T. Nagel, D. W. Vogler, and A. G. Stephenson Effects of inbreeding on male function and self-fertility in the partially self-incompatible herb Campanula rapunculoides (Campanulaceae) Am. J. Botany, December 1, 2003; 90(12): 1736 - 1745. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]