A pan‐European citizen science study shows population size, climate and land use are related to biased morph ratios in the heterostylous plant Primula veris
Authors: Aavik Tsipe , Reitalu Triin , Kivastik Marianne , Reinula Iris , Träger Sabrina , Uuemaa Evelyn , Barberis Marta , Biere Arjen , Castro Sílvia , Cousins Sara A. O. , Csecserits Anikó , Dariotis Eleftherios , Fišer Živa , Grzejszczak Grzegorz , Huu Cuong Nguyen , Hool Kertu , Jacquemyn Hans , Julien Margaux , Klisz Marcin , Kmoch Alexander , Krigas Nikos , Lengyel Attila , Lenhard Michael , Moges Desalew M. , Münzbergová Zuzana , Niinemets Ülo , Odé Baudewijn , Pánková Hana , Pärtel Meelis , Pätsch Ricarda , Petanidou Theodora , Plue Jan , Puchałka Radosław , Rienks Froukje , Samartza Ioulietta , Sheard Julie K. , Stojanova Bojana , Töpper Joachim P. , Tsoktouridis Georgios , Uzunov Spas , Zobel Martin 
Published: January 2025

The distylous plant Primula veris has long served as a model species for studying heterostyly, that is the occurrence of multiple floral morphs within a population to ensure outcrossing. Habitat loss, reduced plant population sizes, and climate change have raised concerns about the impact of these factors on morph ratios and the related consequences on fitness of heterostylous species.

We studied the deviation of floral morphs of P. veris from isoplethy (i.e. equal frequency) in response to plant population size, landscape context and climatic factors, based on a pan‐European citizen science campaign involving observations from 28 countries. In addition, we examined the relative frequency of morphs to determine whether landscape and climatic factors disrupt morph frequencies or whether a specific morph has an advantage over the other.

Theory predicts equal frequencies of short‐styled S‐morphs and long‐styled L‐morphs in populations at equilibrium. However, data from >3000 populations showed a substantial morph deviation from isoplethy and a significant excess of S‐morphs (9% higher compared to L‐morphs). Deviation of morph frequency from equilibrium was substantially stronger in smaller populations and was not affected by morph identity. Higher summer precipitation and land use intensity were associated with an increased prevalence of S‐morphs.

Five populations containing individuals exhibiting short homostyle phenotypes (with the style and anthers in low positions) were found. Genotyping of the individuals at CYP734A50 gene of the S locus, which determines the length of the style and the position of anthers of P. veris, revealed no mutations in this region.

Our results based on an unprecedented geographic sampling suggest that changes in land use and climate may be responsible for non‐equilibrium morph frequencies. This large‐scale citizen science initiative sets foundations for future studies to clarify whether the unexpected excess of S‐morphs is due to partial intra‐morph compatibility, disruption of heterostyly or survival advantage of S‐morphs.

Synthesis. Human‐induced environmental change may affect biodiversity indirectly through altering reproductive traits, which can also lead to reduced fitness and genetic diversity. Further research should consider the possible role of pollinators in mediating the ecological and evolutionary consequences of recent landscape and climatic shifts on plant reproductive traits.