Heterostyly, what do we currently know?

Abstract

Ferrero, V. 2014. Heterostyly, what do we currently know?. Ecosistemas 23(3): 23-30. Doi.: 10.7818/ECOS.2014.23-3.04

Sexual polymorphisms are common in nature, both in animals and plants, and have been interpreted as mechanisms that promote outcrossing. Heterostyly is a floral polymorphism in plants that has interested biologists since Darwin described it and proposed its functional significance. As it happens with other polymorphisms, the study of heterostyly allows understanding how the different forms are maintained in the populations and why phenotypes are selected. However, as the number of studies on this floral polymorphism increases, new variations and exceptions suggest caution when generalizing the typical characteristics of the heterostylous syndrome and its adaptive significance. In this review the morphological and physiological characteristics in heterostyly and its evolutionary context are described. Additionally, recent studies showing the morphological, physiological and adaptive complexity of heterostyly are reported, and future study questions are also proposed.