J. Nishihiro et al., Patterns and consequences of stigma height variation in a natural population of a distylous plant, Primula sieboldii, FUNCT ECOL, 14(4), 2000, pp. 502-512
1. In order to reveal the direction and magnitude of phenotypic selection o
n the stigma height of heterostylous morphs in a natural population of Prim
ula sieboldii E. Morren (Primulaceae), morphological traits including stigm
a and anther heights, flowering phenology, local density of potential matin
g partners, size of ramet, number of pollen grains deposited from the oppos
ite morph and seed set were measured in two flowering seasons.
2. Both components of female reproductive success, pollen receipt and seed
set, were significantly larger in the long-styled than in the short-styled
morph in both years.
3. Selection analyses based on bivariate correlation and path-analysis mode
ls revealed positive relationships between stigma height and pollination or
seed set in the short-styled morph only, although the effect was statistic
ally significant only in one year. In contrast, seed set in the long-styled
morph was correlated with ramet size.
4. Morph difference in reproductive success and the natural selection revea
led for higher stigmas in the short-styled morph should be ascribed to the
narrow corolla tube of the species that strictly restrict the path of the p
roboscis of the pollinators.