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Reproductive uncertainty and the relative competitiveness of simultaneous hermaphroditism versus dioecy.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Wilson, WG; Harder, LD
Published in: The American naturalist
August 2003

Hermaphroditism is typically associated with a sedentary existence, whereas dioecy is associated with mobility. This pattern is reflected within flowering plants, as dioecious species commonly possess traits that promote high dispersal. We investigated these associations with three population dynamics models (an individual-based simulation and two mathematical models, one deterministic and the other stochastic) that allowed us to examine competition for space between a hermaphroditic and dioecious species from different perspectives. The competing species are identical in every way but their sexual system. Separation of the sexes increases the variances of pollen import and seed dispersal for the dioecious species. These variances propagate through subsequent reproductive processes and ultimately reduce mean recruitment as a result of nonlinear averaging (Jensen's inequality). A dioecious species could overcome this disadvantage simply by producing more gametes than hermaphrodites; however, in line with the association with mobility, selection on dioecious species should also favor traits that reduce reproductive uncertainty, such as extensive dispersal.

Duke Scholars

Published In

The American naturalist

DOI

EISSN

1537-5323

ISSN

0003-0147

Publication Date

August 2003

Volume

162

Issue

2

Start / End Page

220 / 241

Related Subject Headings

  • Stochastic Processes
  • Species Specificity
  • Seeds
  • Reproduction
  • Population Dynamics
  • Plant Physiological Phenomena
  • Models, Biological
  • Fertilization
  • Ecology
  • Disorders of Sex Development
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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Wilson, W. G., & Harder, L. D. (2003). Reproductive uncertainty and the relative competitiveness of simultaneous hermaphroditism versus dioecy. The American Naturalist, 162(2), 220–241. https://doi.org/10.1086/376584
Wilson, W. G., and L. D. Harder. “Reproductive uncertainty and the relative competitiveness of simultaneous hermaphroditism versus dioecy.The American Naturalist 162, no. 2 (August 2003): 220–41. https://doi.org/10.1086/376584.
Wilson WG, Harder LD. Reproductive uncertainty and the relative competitiveness of simultaneous hermaphroditism versus dioecy. The American naturalist. 2003 Aug;162(2):220–41.
Wilson, W. G., and L. D. Harder. “Reproductive uncertainty and the relative competitiveness of simultaneous hermaphroditism versus dioecy.The American Naturalist, vol. 162, no. 2, Aug. 2003, pp. 220–41. Epmc, doi:10.1086/376584.
Wilson WG, Harder LD. Reproductive uncertainty and the relative competitiveness of simultaneous hermaphroditism versus dioecy. The American naturalist. 2003 Aug;162(2):220–241.
Journal cover image

Published In

The American naturalist

DOI

EISSN

1537-5323

ISSN

0003-0147

Publication Date

August 2003

Volume

162

Issue

2

Start / End Page

220 / 241

Related Subject Headings

  • Stochastic Processes
  • Species Specificity
  • Seeds
  • Reproduction
  • Population Dynamics
  • Plant Physiological Phenomena
  • Models, Biological
  • Fertilization
  • Ecology
  • Disorders of Sex Development