On the widespread capacity for, and functional significance of, extreme inbreeding in ferns

• Published in: The New phytologist Vol. 211; no. 3; pp. 1108 - 1119
• Main Authors: Sessa, Emily B., Testo, Weston L., Watkins, James E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England New Phytologist Trust 01.08.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Developmental stages; Diploidy; embryophytes; evolution; Ferns; Ferns - physiology; ferns and fern allies; gametophyte; gametophytes; homospory; Homozygosity; Inbreeding; mating behavior; mating systems; Phylogeny; Polyploidy; progeny; Reproduction; selfing; Species Specificity; sporophytes; Tropical Climate; vascular plants; selfing; homospory; mating systems; polyploidy; gametophyte; ferns

Homosporous vascular plants utilize three different mating systems, one of which, gametophytic selfing, is an extreme form of inbreeding only possible in homosporous groups. This mating system results in complete homozygosity in all progeny and has important evolutionary and ecological implications....