ibclogo XVI International Botanical Congess


Abstract Number: 2549
Poster No. = 1052


SIBLING COMPETITION AND INBREEDING DEPRESSION


Hans Koelewijn Netherlands Institute of Ecology


Several researchers have noted that fitness differences between selfed and outcrossed progeny (inbreeding depression) are more pronounced under competitive conditions. Two explanations have been put forward: 1) The intensity of inbreeding depression might simply increase with competitive stress, 2) Small initial differences between the progeny types are enhanced through asymmetric competition. In a greenhouse experiment with Plantago coronopus, both progeny types were grown in pure stands and intermixed at different densities. Inbreeding depression between pure stands decreased with increasing density. However, strong inbreeding depression was detected when both progeny types were grown intermixed. This indicates asymmetric competition and suggests that the second mechanism would be responsible for observed increased inbreeding depression under competitive conditions.


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