Self-Compatibility of the genus Jaltomata (Solanaceae) |
revised 14 October 2020 |
| Link to Jaltomata homepage | The information on this page may be cited as a communication with professor Thomas Mione, Central Connecticut State University, Biology Department, Copernicus Hall, 1615 Stanley Street, New Britain, Connecticut 06050-4010, United States of America. | Link to description of the genus Jaltomata |
It is likely that all species of the genus Jaltomata are self-compatible: during nearly two decades of growing Jaltomata I have noticed that plants usually set fruit abundantly even in a pollinator-free greenhouse. Self-compatible:
It is possible that the combination of self-compatibility, predominant homogamy and presumed bird dispersal of fruits allowed Jaltomata to be successful at colonizing Islands (Galápagos Islands, one species; Greater Antilles, one species; virtual islands known as lomas formations along the coast of Peru, seven species; virtual island Baja California, one widespread species). Igic, Bohs and Kohn (2004) reported that "SI was ancestral in the Solanaceae, with transitions to SC common and irreversible" and mention Jaltomata in their paper.
Link to protogyny page |