Several aspects of the reproductive biology of Fumana juniperina were analyzed to find out whether delayed selfing occurs within a representative natural population in southwest Sardinia. Similar fruit set was obtained after autonomous, within-flower, and between-flower self-pollination (0.35, 0.53, and 0.46, respectively), crosspollination (0.45), and control (0.39). Seed set and seed mass did not differ significantly between pollination treatments (P > 0:05). Autonomous self-pollination was favored at the end of floral anthesis, when the petals fell and the sepals closed and pushed the anthers onto the stigma, making contact. No pollinators were seen visiting the flowers during the 42-h observation period, and the stigmatic pollen load on open-pollinated flowers, collected after the petals had fallen and before anther and stigma contact had occurred, was not enough to fertilize all the ovules. Low levels of inbreeding depression were found for fruit set (d ¼ À0:167), seed set (d ¼ À0:086), seed mass (d ¼ 0:008), and seed germination (d ¼ À0:052). These results support the idea that F. juniperina is selfcompatible and capable of autonomous self-pollination through changes in the position of the stigma and anthers at the end of floral anthesis. This is a case of how delayed selfing can be an efficient mating strategy that ensures reproduction in this plant when pollinators are scarce. This is the first time that a mechanism of delayed selfing has been described within the family Cistaceae.
Knowledge about the reproductive system of species inhabiting rocky habitats is scarce. The reproductive biology (floral biology, experimental pollination, insect visits, inbreeding depression, and seed predation) of the rupicolous Linaria cavanillesii was analyzed under field and experimental conditions. Self-compatibility was revealed by the high fruit set, seed set, and seed mass in the pollination experiment. Furthermore, results disclose that this species does not need insect visitors for seed production since fruit set after autonomous self-pollination was similar to that by hand cross-pollination. Selfoffsprings were not affected by a strong degree of inbreeding depression in early life-cycle stages. Seed predation by Cucurlionidae is the main limiting factor of fruit and seed production in this species. Contrary to other perennial species of Linaria previously studied, L. cavanillesii represents the first clear report of self-fertility.
Cotoneaster granatensis (Rosaceae) is an endangered species in the Valencian Community with two natural populations known and 37 wild plants located in Alicante province. The strategy applied for conservation of this species comprises three steps in a cyclical method: in situ (first step) -ex situ -in situ (second step). Current conservation status for this species has been evaluated as a part of the first step in situ actions. Ex situ conservation activities consisted Cuadernos de Biodiversidad 48 (2015) 8 has been also essential to enhance natural populations. The initial results on plantations in the natural habitat show high survival rates of specimens.
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