INTRAGAMETOPHYTIC SELFING DOES NOT REDUCE REPRODUCTION IN DRYOPTERIS-FILIX-MAX

Gametophytes of Dryopteries filix-mas (L.) Schott were grown as isolat es and as pairs of related and unrelated individuals. Reproductive eff orts were generally highest among isolates, which reproduce by intraga metophytic selfing only. Reproductive success of D, filix-mas may depe nd on the abundance of resources rather than the actual mating system employed. The estimates of the amount of genetic load for the two popu lations examined were low, 10% and 16%, respectively. The great number s and the high viability of sporophytes produced by intragametophytic selfing indicate that D. filix-mas does not experience serious inbreed ing depression.