Browne and Karubian 2016 - Ecology Letters.xlsx (121.49 kB)
Data for Browne and Karubian 2016 - Frequency-dependent selection for rare genotypes promotes genetic diversity of a tropical palm
Abstract:
Negative frequency dependent selection among
species is a key driver of community diversity in natural systems, but the
degree to which negative frequency dependent selection shapes patterns of
survival and genetic diversity within species is poorly understood. In a
five-year field experiment, we show that seedlings of a tropical palm with rare
genotypes had a pronounced survival advantage over seedlings with common
genotypes, with effect sizes (i.e., regression
coefficients) comparable to that of light availability. This 'rare genotype
advantage' led to an increase of population-wide genetic diversity among
seedlings compared to null expectations, as predicted by negative frequency
dependent selection, and increased reproductive success in adult trees with
rare genotypes. These results suggest that within-species negative frequency
dependent selection of genotypes can shape genetic variation on ecologically
relevant timescales in natural systems and may be a key, overlooked source of
non-random mortality for tropical plants.