Mechanisms and Consequences of Fitness in a Natural Plant Population

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This study addresses some of the most fundamental questions about processes that determine the evolution of flowering plants. Individual plants can vary in the amount of pollen transported to, and fertilizing, other plants (male reproduction) as well as pollen received and seeds set (female reproduction) Using dyes to follow pollen transport by animal pollinators and genetic markers to determine paternity of seeds, Dr. Campbell will determine male as well as female reproductive success in a natural plant population. The results will yield some of the first measurements of natural selection acting on flower traits through both male and female reproduction, and will allow tests of general theory on the evolution of breeding systems and energy allocation to reproductive structures. Behavioral studies of the pollinators will seek to characterize the mechanisms of this selection. In addition, methods of quantitative genetics will be used to link field measurements of heritabilities and selection to current theory. These studies will contribute to understanding of the roles of genetic constraints and conflicts between opposing selective pressures in determining the course of evolution. The results will have significance for both natural population and crop plants, particularly those in agricultural breeding programs dealing with seed and fruit production.