Reproductive isolation among three sympatric Achimenes species: pre- and post-pollination components.

Premise: Closely related species occurring in sympatry may experience the negative consequences of interspecific pollen transfer if reproductive isolation (RI) barriers are not in place. We evaluated the importance of pre- and post-pollination RI barriers in three sympatric species of Achimenes (Gesneriaceae), including ecogeographic, phenological, floral isolation, self-pollination, and hybrid viability (fruit and seed set).

Methods: We recorded geographic distribution throughout species ranges and assessed flowering phenology and pollinator visitation at one site in central Mexico.