Re: [aroid-l] self pollination of aroids

From: Marc Gibernau gibernau at cict.fr> on 2003.05.21 at 11:49:54(10278) Dear Julius & Friends, I listed the advantages and disadvantages of apomixis in a previous e-mail. So it will depend on the populational state of your species. If I understand well your question, apomixis will never "mix" genes (it's a cloning multiplication better than reproduction). But apomixis will "keep" all the genes in place (for future mixing if cross-pollination occurs). Self-pollination will mix the genes and all lethal genetic combinations will be +More eliminate (through the death of the individuals bearing them). Thus alleles will be lost (but they were not fit), this is called 'allelic purge'. On the other hand has recombination occurs between alleles, new genetic combinations are created. Here the balance between elimination and creation is (I think) very variable, in some case it's negtive oin other positive. I think that at the beginning genetic combinations will be lost and that genetic creation will come in a second time. But here again it will depend on genetic structure and breeding system of your taxa. Apomixis do not create but conserve a given genetic state whereas self-pollination eliminate but also create genetic combinations. I don't know what is "better". What happens is that such mechanisms (can) exist and can be selected or counter-selected according to the population situation. It's clearer? Sincerely yours, Marc

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