THE INFLUENCE OF POPULATION-DENSITY ON OUTCROSSING RATES IN MIMULUS RINGENS

The influence of population density on pollinator movements and outcrossing rates was studied in experimental arrays of Mimulus ringens (square-stemmed monkeyflower), a wetland perennial species with a mixed-mating system. Each population was composed of genets with unique multilocus combinations of homozygous genotypes, facilitating determination of outcrossing rates through paternity exclusion. Replicate arrays were cloned from the same set of genets to minimize differences in floral and vegetative morphology among density treatments. Two arrays were planted at each of three spacings typical of the range of densities found in natural M ringens populations. Both the proportion of pollinator flights between plants and the frequency of outcrossing were significantly greater at high density. These results suggest that ecological and demographic factors, such as population density, can significantly influence levels of inbreeding in species with mixed-mating systems.