Selection at work in self-incompatible Arabidopsis lyrata. II. Spatial distribution of S haplotypes in Iceland.

We survey the distribution of haplotypes at the self-incompatibility (SI) locus of Arabidopsis lyrata (Brassicaceae) at 12 locations spread over the species' natural distribution in Iceland. Previous investigations of the system have identified 34 functionally different S haplotypes maintained by frequency-dependent selection and arranged them into four classes of dominance in their phenotypic expression. On the basis of this model of dominance and the island model of population subdivision, we compare the distribution of S haplotypes with that expected from population genetic theory. We observe 18 different S haplotypes, recessive haplotypes being more common than dominant ones, and dominant ones being shared by fewer populations. As expected, differentiation, although significant, is very low at the S locus even over distances of up to 300 km. The frequency of the most recessive haplotype is slightly larger than expected for a panmictic population, but consistent with a subdivided population with the observed differentiation. Frequencies in nature reflect effects of segregation distortion previously observed in controlled crosses. The dynamics of the S-locus variation are, however, well represented by a 12-island model and our simplified model of dominance interactions.