Experimental and genetic analysis of selfing reveals no reinforcement in Phlox cuspidata

Reinforcement is the process through which prezygotic reproductive barriers evolve in sympatry due to selection against hybridization between co-occurring, closely related species. The role of self-fertilization in reinforcement and reproductive isolation is uncertain in part because its efficiency as a barrier against heterospecific mating can depend on the timing of autonomous selfing.
To investigate whether increased autonomous selfing has evolved as a mechanism for reinforcement, we compared Phlox cuspidata populations across their native Texas range using both estimates of genetic diversity and experimental manipulation with morphological measurements. Specifically, we investigated patterns of variation in floral traits and timing of selfing between individuals from allopatric populations of P. cuspidata and from populations sympatric with the closely related species, P. drummondii.
We infer intermediate rates of selfing across field-collected individuals with no significant differ..., , , This folder contains the data and code for the article titled: Experimental and genetic analyses of selfing reveals no reinforcement in Phlox cuspidata

Comments and requests should be addressed to Bushra Shahid: [e-mail]. All material is free of use, but please cite the paper whenever appropriate.

The folder named Data contains six .csv files and an R file for the final version of the manuscript.

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Summary

The manuscript aimed to investigate whether increased autonomous selfing has evolved as a mechanism for reinforcement, we compared Phlox cuspidata populations across their native Texas range using both estimates of genetic diversity and experimental manipulation with morphological measurements. Specifically, we investigated patterns of variation in floral traits and timing of selfing between individuals from allopatric populations of P. cuspidata and from populations sympatric with the closely related species, P. drummondii.

We infer intermediate rates of s...