Meiotic behavior and pollen viability of wild populations of the neotropical species Vriesea gigantea (Bromeliaceae)

Plant fertility can influence many aspects of population ecology and evolution. The quantity and quality of pollen produced by a plant is an important component of reproductive success. Plant fertility was analyzed by assessing: chromosome number, meiotic behavior and pollen viability of seven native populations of Vriesea gigantea. All plants presented 2n = 50 chromosomes. Most of the pollen mother cells showed a regular meiotic behavior with 25 bivalents and regular chromosome segregation. In accordance, high pollen viability (84-98%) was recorded for all investigated populations. These results indicated that plants from all populations analyzed are fertile. Despite the overall high pollen viability, significant differences were detected among populations. The population of Praia do Araçá showed a reduced percentage of pollen viability, although meiosis was quite regular. Reduction in pollen viability could have an important effect on plants fertility and, consequently, on fitness of this population.