Patterns of Pollen Dispersal in an Invasive Population of Solanum rostratum (Solanaceae) in China

Abstract

Paternity analysis, carried out on 13 microsatellite loci, was used to investigate pollen dispersal and mating patterns in an invasive population of Solanum rostratum in China. We determined a high outcrossing rate (0.81 ± 0.02) and found that all 174 offspring for which the father could be identified were outcross progeny. The mean pollen dispersal distance was 13.66 m (range 0.41–71.67 m); however, 59.2% of effective pollination events occurred at <10 m. Our results indicate substantial near-neighbor pollen dispersal and imply that successful invasion of S. rostratum is facilitated by a high level of pollen flow within the population.