The dynamic mating systems of conifers

Conifer mating systems vary among species and within species; both ecological variables and genetic variation cause mating systems to be dynamic. Within species, estimates of rates of outcrossing vary among populations, among loci, and among individuals within stands. The level of outcrossing varies with stand density, age, and the abundance of local and foreign pollen. Variation in the mating success of both males and females violates the assumption that populations are randomly mating and at equilibrium, and justifies more quantitative analyses of mating systems. Allelic frequencies in the pollen pool and in the pool of receptive female surfaces may vary through a season and among seasons, producing positively assortative mating in time. Seed and seedling viability selects against homozygotes for lethal alleles and favors heterozygous genotypes, biasing estimates of outcrossing. Particularly fruitful topics of research include the genetic consequences of polyembryony, differential male and female mating success, and associations between specific genotypes and floral phenology.