Selfing rate variation among natural populations of Mimulus ringens

Variation in selfing rates within and among populations of hermaphroditic flowering plants can strongly influence the evolution of reproductive strategies and the genetic structure of populations. This intraspecific variation in mating patterns may reflect both genetic and ecological factors, but the relative importance of these factors remains poorly understood. Here we explore how selfing in thirteen natural populations of the perennial wildflower Mimulus ringens is influenced by 1) pollinator visitation, an ecological factor, and 2) floral display, a trait with a genetic component that also responds to environmental variation. We also explore whether genetically based floral traits, including herkogamy, affect selfing.

            We found substantial variation among populations in selfing rate (0.13-0.55). Selfing increased strongly and significantly with floral display, among as well as within populations. Selfing also increased at sites with lower pollinator visitation and low plant density. However, selfing was not correlated with floral morphology. Overall, these results suggest that pollinator visitation and floral display, two factors that interact to affect geitonogamous pollinator movements, can influence the selfing rate. This study identifies mechanisms that may play a role in maintaining selfing rate variation among populations.