title: Genomic compatibility occurs over a wide range of parental genetic similarity in an outcrossing plant.
abstract: The theory of inbreeding and outbreeding suggests that there is a hump-shaped relationship between the genetic similarity of sexually reproducing parents and the performance of their offspring. Inbreeding depression occurs when genetic similarity is high, whereas hybrid breakdown is expected when genetic similarity is low. Between these extremes, the effect of genetic similarity on fitness is unclear. We studied the shape of this relationship by crossing 65 target genotypes of the clonal, self-incompatible Ranunculus reptans with partner genotypes spanning a broad scale of genetic similarity, ranging from crosses within populations to between-population crosses and hybridisation with a closely related species. Offspring were raised in outdoor tubs. Results revealed a quadratic relationship between parental genetic distance and offspring performance, with the clonal component of fitness more strongly hump-shaped than the sexual component. Optimal genetic similarity encompassed a broad range of within-population and between-population crosses. This pattern of genomic compatibility has important implications for the evolution of mating systems and mate choice.
authors: Institute of Environmental Sciences, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland. williy@uwinst.unizh.ch
authors: Yvonne
authors: Y
authors: Willi
authors: Josh
authors: J
authors: Van Buskirk
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D005787:Gene Frequency; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005828:Genetics, Population; D005838:Genotype; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D007178:Inbreeding; D007527:Isoenzymes; D010641:Phenotype; D031947:Ranunculus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D013557:Switzerland
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes