Scientists find self-fertilizing orchid

[Byblos]

Don't know exactly what this means (in terms of the reproductive and possibly the evolutionary process) but I found it fascinating nonetheless.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060621/ap_ ... ely_orchid

Is this something new (i.e. did the orchids adapt to a new style of fertilization) or is it just a recent discovery?

[BGoodForGoodSake]

Don't know exactly what this means (in terms of the reproductive and possibly the evolutionary process) but I found it fascinating nonetheless.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060621/ap_ ... ely_orchid

Is this something new (i.e. did the orchids adapt to a new style of fertilization) or is it just a recent discovery?

This is not likely to be a new behaviour. They found the same results in 1,900 individuals.

Also the flower does not produce either a scent or nectar. Suggesting that the genes which were responsible for related proteins accumulated errors over time. Because the plant no longer needed outside help for fertilization these attributes were no longer actively selected.

In the long run the species is probably not likely to survive, due to the homogenous nature of the gene pool brought about by self-fertilization. For example a homogenous population is more likely to succumb to a deadly disease. florida palms

This is part of the prevailing theory of why sexual and not asexual reproduction is more common in nature for organisms with relatively longer lifespans.

[Byblos]

Don't know exactly what this means (in terms of the reproductive and possibly the evolutionary process) but I found it fascinating nonetheless.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060621/ap_ ... ely_orchid

Is this something new (i.e. did the orchids adapt to a new style of fertilization) or is it just a recent discovery?

This is not likely to be a new behaviour. They found the same results in 1,900 individuals.

Also the flower does not produce either a scent or nectar. Suggesting that the genes which were responsible for related proteins accumulated errors over time. Because the plant no longer needed outside help for fertilization these attributes were no longer actively selected.

In the long run the species is probably not likely to survive, due to the homogenous nature of the gene pool brought about by self-fertilization. For example a homogenous population is more likely to succumb to a deadly disease. florida palms

This is part of the prevailing theory of why sexual and not asexual reproduction is more common in nature for organisms with relatively longer lifespans.

Thanks.