Relationship between Dispersal Ability and Levels of Gene Flow in Plants

Data from 115 species of plants, on the proportion of total gene diversity due to differences among populations, Gs, levels of gene flow (Nm), and pollination mechanisms were utilized to test the null hypothesis that dispersal abilities as reflected by pollination mechanisms are not associated with gene flow levels in plants. The results suggested that the average levels of gene flow in predominantly self, animal and wind pollinated species were 0.830, 1.211 and 2.921, respectively. A contingency x2 test between pollination mechanisms and levels of gene flow showed a close association between the two variables, and thus rejected the hypothesis. It was concluded that pollination mechanisms play an important role in determining the levels of gene flow and patterns of micro-evolution in plants.