DOCSLIB.ORG

Seed Bank and Diaspore Morphology

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Seed Bank and Diaspore Morphology ECOGRAPHY 25: 336–344, 2002 Gap colonization in the Patagonian semidesert: seed bank and diaspore morphology Roberto J. Ferna´ndez, Rodolfo A. Golluscio, Alejandro J. Bisigato and Alberto Sorianoc Ferna´ndez, R. J., Golluscio, R. A., Bisigato, A. J. and Soriano, A. 2002. Gap colonization in the Patagonian semidesert: seed bank and diaspore morphology. – Ecography 25: 336–344. We report work on a cold, windy South American steppe dominated by tussock grasses and shrubs of small stature that, together, cover only half of the soil surface. Our objective was to find out why seedlings and juveniles of these dominant species are generally absent from the bare or poorly-populated spots (gaps) that exist between established individuals. We hypothesized that matrix-forming species fail to colonize gaps because of a lack of properly-placed seeds, contained in diaspores which because of their morphology are blown away from gaps that otherwise would constitute safe sites for recruitment. We evaluated diaspore size and wing loading (weight:area ratio) for all common species in the community, collected seed-bank samples in different occasions and microsites, and performed detailed field observa- tions for one gap-dwelling species during several years. We found that: 1) Seeds of the dominant, matrix-forming species are uncommon in the soil bank of the center of the gaps between established vegetation. 2) Seeds of the dominant species are more abundant towards the edges of the gaps than at their center. 3) Diaspores of those species present in the seed bank of the gaps are smaller than diaspores of absent species; contrary to expectations, not all gap-dwelling species had larger diaspore wing loading than non-gap species. 4) Seeds and adult densities of the most common gap species (the annual Camissonia dentata), were correlated between them and across subsequent years. We conclude that it is not an overall shortage of seeds that precludes the dominant species from becoming established in the gaps, but rather the seeds’ uneven spatial distribution. We further argue that gaps would be suitable sites for recruitment, but large diaspore size makes seeds of the dominant species to be blown away by the strong westerly winds. R. J. Ferna´ndez ( [email protected]), R. A. Golluscio, A. J. Bisigato, IFEVA- Ecologı´a, Uni6. de Buenos Aires – CONICET, A6. San Martı´n 4453, Buenos Aires C1417DSQ, Argentina (present address of A.J.B.: Centro Nacional Patago´nico, CON- ICET, Bl6d. Brown s/n, Puerto Madryn, Chubut U9120ABT, Argentina). Vegetation in arid and semiarid zones typically displays tence of low-cover or bare patches. This work examines some sort of ‘‘mosaic structure’’ of high- and low-cover the role of seed availability in the persistence of these patches (Aguiar and Sala 1997). Substantial progress spots for a particularly windy semiarid environment. has been made in understanding the processes deter- In a cold Patagonian semidesert of southern South mining the dynamics, and especially the persistence, of America, adult shrubs and perennial tussock grasses high-cover patches (e.g. Garner and Steinberger 1989, form a high-cover vegetation matrix that covers ca 50% Schlesinger et al. 1996, Klausmeier 1999). Much less is of the soil surface. The rest is occupied by bare or understood, however, about the causes of the persis- poorly-populated spots (gaps) of an average diameter of 35 cm (Soriano et al. 1994). The dominant matrix- forming species are three small-statured shrubs c deceased. Accepted 26 September 2001 Copyright © ECOGRAPHY 2002 ISSN 0906-7590 336 ECOGRAPHY 25:3 (2002) (Mulinum spinosum (Cav.) Pers., Senecio filaginoides Desert (Reichman 1984), and the Negev (Boeken et al. DC and Adesmia campestris (Rendle) Skottsb.) and 1998). three tussock grasses (Stipa speciosa Trin. et Rupr., S. Our main hypothesis was that Patagonian matrix- humilis Cav., Poa ligularis Nees ap Steud.). Gaps host a forming species fail to colonize gaps because of a lack number of annual and small perennial forbs but are of properly-placed seeds, which in turn is caused by generally unoccupied by seedlings and juveniles of the their diaspore morphology. In this windy environment, matrix-forming species (Table 1). diaspores of certain shape and size would be unable to For the non-dominant grass Bromus pictus (Hook), remain over the relatively smooth surface of the gaps Aguiar and Sala (1997) showed that, despite an abun- that otherwise would constitute safe sites for recruit- dant seed rain, establishment in gaps is infrequent ment. Diaspore morphology determines not only pri- because the strong prevalent west winds blow seeds mary dispersal by wind (Greene and Johnson 1986), but away from these bare-soil areas (see also Alippe and also retention at the soil surface (Chambers et al. 1991). Soriano 1978). Soil-water availability during the sum- A parameter that has been successfully used to predict mer drought is higher in the center of the gaps than diaspore movement during free fall is ‘‘wing loading’’, closer to the plants encircling them (Soriano and Sala defined as the ratio between the weight and the area of 1986). The establishment of Bromus seedlings in gaps is the diaspore (Matlack 1987). For a given wind intensity possible as long as its relatively large diaspores (ca and initial height, the distance traveled is inversely 15×3 mm) are experimentally attached to the surface related to the square root of the wing loading (Aguiar et al. 1992, 1994). Theories of population dy- (Augspurger and Franson 1987, Greene and Johnson namics would classify this case as one of recruitment 1993). We reasoned that, under strong winds like the uncoupled from disturbance (Grubb 1986), in which Patagonian ones, this weight:area ratio would not only affect primary dispersal but also later movements on populations are neither strictly seed- nor microsite-lim- the soil surface. Another parameter we chose to study ited (Crawley 1990, Eriksson and Ehrle´n 1992). was diaspore size because, regardless of the rugosity of Vegetation patterning may in many cases be ac- the soil surface, the smaller the diaspore, the better its counted for by after-landing movements of seeds anchorage capability (Chambers et al. 1991). (Chambers and MacMahon 1994), also known as sec- We evaluated diaspore size and wing loading for all ondary dispersal. In Patagonia, dominant grasses and common species in the community, collected seed-bank shrubs have an abundant seed production in most years samples in different microsites, and performed detailed (Soriano 1983, Ferna´ndez et al. 1992). We wondered field observations in one of the gap-dwelling species whether seeds of these species – having diaspores of during several years in order to evaluate four predic- different size and shape than those of Bromus – are tions that follow from our hypothesis: 1) Seeds of most able to persist in the gaps or also accumulate against matrix species are absent from, or very poorly repre- established individuals. This kind of wind piling-up has sented in, the seed bank of the gaps. Our definition of been reported for other environments, such as western seed bank is broad, and includes all viable seeds in the Australia (Mott and McComb 1977), the Sonoran surface soil. 2) The abundance of seeds of the matrix species will be much higher close to the established Table 1. Floristic composition of the gaps between Patago- vegetation (the gap edge) than towards the center of the nian bunchgrasses. Data obtained at the end of the growing season within circular 30-cm diameter plots (January 1992; gaps. 3) Diaspore morphology of species found in the n=200). Asterisks indicate those species also found in the seed bank of the gaps will be different from that of seed bank of the gaps (cf. Table 2). species absent from it. We expected gap species to have SpeciesGrowth form1 Frequency (%) smaller diaspores, with a larger wing loading, than non-gap species. A corollary from this – taking into Camissonia dentata* Annual dicot 57 account that most gap species are of a very short Microsteris gracilis* Annual dicot 39 stature – is that gap species will be poor colonizers of Poa lanuginosa Rhizomatous grass 25 Poa ligularis* Bunchgrass 13 distant gaps, thus tending to re-colonize the same gaps (seedlings) year after year. We chose to work with the most Calceolaria Rhizomatous 11 common gap colonizer, Camissonia dentata Cav. Reiche polyrhiza* deciduous dicot (synonyms given below), to test our last prediction: 4) Polygala darwiniana Stoloniferous 10 evergreen dicot The number of both extant plants and seeds of each Adesmia lotoides Rhizomatous 8 species in a given gap will be positively correlated evergreen dicot across subsequent years. Gilia laciniata* Annual dicot 7 Cerastium ar6ense Rhizomatous 4 deciduous dicot Oxalis Rhizomatous 3 squamoso-radicosa deciduous dicot Site description Other species Perennials B2 This work was performed in central-western Patagonia, 1 See Golluscio and Sala (1993) for details. in an experimental field of the Instituto Nacional de ECOGRAPHY 25:3 (2002) 337 Tecnolog´ıa Agropecuaria (INTA) located near R´ıo fully inspected in order to return to the fine-soil frac- Mayo (45°41%S, 70°16%W). From the phytogeographic tion any material that might contain seeds. The fine soil point of view, the vegetation is typical of the Occidental was spread, as a 1-cm thick layer, on paper towels District of the Patagonian Province (Paruelo et al. placed on plastic flat containers with drainage holes. 1991). All our observations took place in a representa- Soil in the containers was spray-watered regularly while tive 2-ha plot that had been closed to large herbivores maintained in a growth chamber at 15°C with 12 h of since 1983. According to a survey performed on rela- light per day.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Necessity for Testing Germination of Fresh Seeds in Studies on Diaspore Heteromorphism As a Life-History Strategy
    Seed Science Research (2013) 23, 83–88 doi:10.1017/S096025851300010X q Cambridge University Press 2013 RESEARCH OPINION The necessity for testing germination of fresh seeds in studies on diaspore heteromorphism as a life-history strategy Jerry M. Baskin1,2, Juan J. Lu1, Carol C. Baskin1,2,3* and Dun Y. Tan1 1Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources and Ecology and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Western Arid Region Grassland Resources and Ecology, College of Grassland and Environment Sciences, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Uru¨mqi 830052, China; 2Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA; 3Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA (Received 15 September 2012; accepted after revision 8 March 2013) Abstract Introduction and background Many studies have compared diaspore dispersal Diaspore heteromorphism is the production of two or ability and degree of dormancy in the two diaspores more seeds and/or fruits (sometimes with accessory of dimorphic plant species. A primary goal of these parts) on an individual plant that differ in many ways, studies was to determine if germination and dispersal such as morphology, mass, dispersal ability and characteristics of the two morphs fit within a high risk– degree of dormancy (Manda´k, 1997; Imbert, 2002). low risk (bet-hedging) life-history strategy, i.e. high There are two main categories of diaspore-hetero- dispersal/low dormancy in one morph versus low morphic plants: heterodiasporous and amphicarpous. dispersal/high dormancy in the other one. In a survey In heterodiaspory, two or more diaspore morphs are of 26 papers on 28 diaspore dimorphic species, we produced above ground, while in amphicarpy one or found that in 12 of the studies, which were published more diaspore morph(s) is (are) produced above between 1978 and 2008, seeds were stored, and thus ground and one or more below ground (Manda´k, 1997; possibly afterripened, before they were tested for Barker, 2005).
    [Show full text]
  • Linking Fruit Traits to Variation in Predispersal Vertebrate Seed Predation, Insect Seed Predation, and Pathogen Attack
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by DigitalCommons@USU Ecology, 92(11), 2011, pp. 2131–2140 Ó 2011 by the Ecological Society of America Linking fruit traits to variation in predispersal vertebrate seed predation, insect seed predation, and pathogen attack 1,2,3 1 NOELLE G. BECKMAN AND HELENE C. MULLER-LANDAU 1Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Unit 9100 Box 0948, DPO AA 34002 2Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108 USA Abstract. The importance of vertebrates, invertebrates, and pathogens for plant communities has long been recognized, but their absolute and relative importance in early recruitment of multiple coexisting tropical plant species has not been quantified. Further, little is known about the relationship of fruit traits to seed mortality due to natural enemies in tropical plants. To investigate the influences of vertebrates, invertebrates, and pathogens on reproduction of seven canopy plant species varying in fruit traits, we quantified reductions in fruit development and seed germination due to vertebrates, invertebrates, and fungal pathogens through experimental removal of these enemies using canopy exclosures, insecticide, and fungicide, respectively. We also measured morphological fruit traits hypothesized to mediate interactions of plants with natural enemies of seeds. Vertebrates, invertebrates, and fungi differentially affected predispersal seed mortality depending on the plant species. Fruit morphology explained some variation among species; species with larger fruit and less physical protection surrounding seeds exhibited greater negative effects of fungi on fruit development and germination and experienced reduced seed survival integrated over fruit development and germination in response to vertebrates.
    [Show full text]
  • The Influence of Fruit Morphology and Habitat Structure on Ant-Seed
    1 The Influence of Fruit Morphology and Habitat Structure on Ant-Seed Interactions: A Study with Artificial Fruits by Rafael Luís Galdini Raimundo1,4, Paulo Roberto Guimarães Jr.2,4, Mãrio Almeida-Neto1,4 & Marco Aurélio Pizo3 ABSTRACT Artificial fruits chemically designed to simulate lipid-rich diaspores were used to test for the effect of fruit morphology and habitat structure on ant-seed interactions in the Atlantic Forest of SE Brazil. The outcome of the interaction (i.e., if the “fruit” was removed, cleaned by ants on the spot or had no interaction with ants) and the time of ant response were the investigated variables. Two fruit models simulating “drupes” and “arilate” diaspores were used to test for morphological effects and four habitat attributes (litter depth, number of logs, number of trees, and percentage of bromeliad coverage on the forest floor), which are likely to be correlated with the diversity and abundance of ants in the study site, were measured to test for the effect of habitat structure. The proportion of fruits removed or cleaned did not differ between the two morphological models. Sites in which fruits were cleaned had a higher number of trees than those in which no interaction occurred, which may be a result of the foraging behavior of arboreal ants that frequently descend to the forest floor to exploit fleshy diaspores. Sites in which model removal occurred had lower litter depth than both those in which models were cleaned and those in which no interaction occurred. A negative correlation was observed between litter depth and ant response time.
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of Seed Appendage in Improving the Adaptation of A
    Wang et al. BMC Plant Biology (2019) 19:538 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-019-2090-6 RESEARCHARTICLE Open Access The role of seed appendage in improving the adaptation of a species in definite seasons: a case study of Atriplex centralasiatica Zhaoren Wang2,5†, Yufei Zhao1†, Yuanyuan Zhang4, Baoshan Zhao1, Zhen’an Yang3* and Lijia Dong1* Abstract Background: As a common accompanying dispersal structure, specialized seed appendages play a critical role in the successful germination and dispersal of many plants, and are regarded as an adaptation character for plants survival in diverse environments. However, little is known about how the appendages modulate the linkage between germination and environmental factors. Here, we tested the responses of germination to seasonal environmental signals (temperature and humidity) via seed appendages using Atriplex centralasiatica, which is widely distributed in salt marshlands with dry-cold winter in northern China. Three types of heteromorphic diaspores that differ in morphology of persistent bracteole and dormancy levels are produced in an individualARTICLE plant of A. centralasiatica. Results: Except for the nondormant diaspore (type A, with a brown seed enclosed in a persistent bracteole), bracteoles regulated inner seed dormancy of the other two dormant diaspore types, i.e., type B (flat diaspore with a black inner seed) and type C (globular diaspore with a black inner seed). For types B and C, germination of bracteole-free seeds was higher than that of intact diaspores, and was limited severely when incubated in the bracteole-soaking solution. Dormancy was released at a low temperature (< 10 °C) and suitable humidity (5–15%) condition.
    [Show full text]
  • Morphology and Anatomy of the Diaspores and Seedling of Paspalum (Poaceae, Poales)
    Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências (2013) 85(4): 1389-1396 (Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences) Printed version ISSN 0001-3765 / Online version ISSN 1678-2690 http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765201301112 www.scielo.br/aabc Morphology and anatomy of the diaspores and seedling of Paspalum (Poaceae, Poales) MAYRA T. EICHEMBERG1,2 and VERA L. SCATENA1 1Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Caixa Postal 199, 13506-900 Rio Claro, SP, Brasil 2Departamento de Zootecnia, Centro de Ensino Superior do Oeste, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, 89815-630 Chapecó, SC, Brasil Manuscript received on April 18, 2012; accepted for publication on January 23, 2013 ABSTRACT The knowledge regarding of the diaspore and post-seminal development of Paspalum L. is important for grassland biodiversity conservation, based on their representativeness and genetic improvement of forage. The morphology of the diaspore and the post-seminal development of Paspalum dilatatum Poir. (rhizomatous), P. mandiocanum Trin. var. subaequiglume Barreto (stoloniferous), P. pumilum Nees. (decumbent caespitose) and P. urvillei Steud. (erect caespitose) was described to distinguish species with different growth forms and to survey the characters useful for taxonomy. P. dilatatum differs by presenting oval diaspores larger than the others, with five prominent nerves and trichomes; P. urvillei presents diaspores with one central nerve that is more developed than the two lateral nerves and trichomes; P. mandiocanum var. subaequiglume presents diaspores with trichomes only in the margin; and P. pumilum differs by presenting glabrous diaspores. The caryopsis involves the seed that presents the differentiated embryo and disposed laterally, an elliptical hilum in all of the studied species and a rostellum in P.
    [Show full text]
  • Long-Distance Dispersal Syndromes Matter: Diaspore– Trait Effect on Shaping Plant Distribution Across the Canary Islands
    Ecography 40: 001–009, 2017 doi: 10.1111/ecog.02624 © 2017 CSIC. Ecography © 2017 Nordic Society Oikos Subject Editor: Joaquin Hortal. Editor-in-Chief: Miguel Ara ú jo. Accepted 30 May 2017 Long-distance dispersal syndromes matter: diaspore – trait effect on shaping plant distribution across the Canary Islands Yurena Arjona , Manuel Nogales , Ruben Heleno and Pablo Vargas Y. Arjona (http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1851-1664) ([email protected]) and P. Vargas, Real Jard í n Bot á nico (RJB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain. YA also at: Univ. Rey Juan Carlos, M ó stoles, Madrid, Spain. – M. Nogales, Island Ecology and Evolution Research Group (IPNA-CSIC), San Crist ó bal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. – R. Heleno (http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4808-4907), Centre for Functional Ecology, Dept of Life Sciences, Univ. of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. Oceanic islands emerge lifeless from the seafl oor and are separated from continents by long stretches of sea. Consequently, all their species had to overcome this stringent dispersal fi lter, making these islands ideal systems to study the biogeo- graphic implications of long-distance dispersal (LDD). It has long been established that the capacity of plants to reach new islands is determined by specifi c traits of their diaspores, historically called dispersal syndromes. However, recent work has questioned to what extent such dispersal-related traits eff ectively infl uence plant distribution between islands. Here we evaluated whether plants bearing dispersal syndromes related to LDD – i.e. anemochorous (structures that favour wind dispersal), thalassochorous (sea dispersal), endozoochorous (internal animal dispersal) and epizoochorous (external animal dispersal) syndromes – occupy a greater number of islands than those with unspecialized diaspores by virtue of their increased dispersal ability.
    [Show full text]
  • Diaspore Networks in the Brazilian Savanna
    RESEARCH ARTICLE Unmasking the architecture of ant±diaspore networks in the Brazilian Savanna Diego Anjos1*, Wesley DaÂttilo2☯, Kleber Del-Claro1,3☯ 1 Universidade de São Paulo, Programa de PoÂs-graduacËão em Entomologia, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil, 2 Red de EcoetologõÂa, Instituto de EcologõÂa AC, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, 3 Universidade Federal de UberlaÃndia, UberlaÃndia, MG, Brazil ☯ These authors contributed equally to this work. * [email protected] a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 Abstract a1111111111 a1111111111 Ant±diaspore interactions are directly related to fruit consumption, seed predation and dis- persal, being determinant for the plant fitness. However, although abundant and diversified, these ecological interactions have been neglected in network studies. Understanding the structure of these networks is the first step in preserving these ecological functions. How- OPEN ACCESS ever, describing the network structure is not enough; we need to understand what mecha- Citation: Anjos D, DaÂttilo W, Del-Claro K (2018) nisms are behind the network patterns. In this study, for the first time, we describe the Unmasking the architecture of ant±diaspore structure of the ant±diaspore network, considering only the interactions that can benefit networks in the Brazilian Savanna. PLoS ONE 13 plants, separating it into fruit consumption and diaspore removal networks in the Brazilian (8): e0201117. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. Savanna. We postulated that ant±diaspore interactions tend to be more specialized in the pone.0201117 diaspore removal network compared to the fruit consumption network. Furthermore, we Editor: Fabio S. Nascimento, Universidade de Sao tested whether morphological features, such as size of mandibles of ants and diaspores, Paulo Faculdade de Filosofia Ciencias e Letras de Ribeirao Preto, BRAZIL could modulate these ecological networks.
    [Show full text]
  • The Relationship Between Shape and Size of Diaspores Depends on Being Seeds Or Fruits
    horticulturae Brief Report The Relationship between Shape and Size of Diaspores Depends on Being Seeds or Fruits Luís Silva Dias * and Alexandra Soveral Dias Department of Biology, University of Évora, Ap. 94, 7000-554 Évora, Portugal * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 29 June 2019; Accepted: 5 September 2019; Published: 9 September 2019 Abstract: The relationship between the size and shape of diaspores was investigated in angiosperms and gymnosperms including determining if being a seed or fruit was a factor. Size was expressed as volume and shape as the departure from a perfect idealized sphere. Departure from sphericity in seeds was found to be independent from volume. Conversely, an inverse relationship was found between departure from sphericity and volume in fruits. Therefore, whether a diaspore is a seed or a fruit should be considered and included in analyses when ecological, functional or evolutionary correlates of diaspore morphology are under investigation. Keywords: departure from sphericity; diaspores; fruits; seeds; volume 1. Introduction In their classic review on “The shapes and sizes of seeds” Harper et al. [1] concluded that the variation of seed size involves some type of compromise with seed number, with the advantage of the large reserves of large seeds opposed by their disadvantages in water relations, dispersion and risk of predation, while seed shapes represented various trade-offs among the forms that maximize the efficiency of packing, dispersal, landing and seedling establishment. Despite the impressive amount of evidence gathered in that review supporting the hypothesis that changes in size and shape of seeds, even very small ones, may affect almost every aspect of seed germination and plant establishment, a number of questions were left unaddressed.
    [Show full text]
  • DISPERSAL ABILITIES of SEVEN SPARSE and COMMON GRASSES from a MISSOURI Prairiel
    Amer. J. Bot. 68(5): 616-624. 1981. DISPERSAL ABILITIES OF SEVEN SPARSE AND COMMON GRASSES FROM A MISSOURI PRAIRIEl DEBORAH RABINOWITZ AND JODY K. RAPP Division of Biological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109; Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211 ABSTRACT Seven grass species on an abundance continuum from common to sparse on a Missouri tall­ grass prairie were examined for two diaspore traits (morphology and weight), for three dispersal traits (terminal velocity, and mean and maximum lateral movement propagules released in still air from a height of I m), and for two parental traits (culm biomass at maturity and culm height at dispersal). Dispersal ability, measured in the laboratory as the lateral movement ofpropagules in the upper 5% (right tail) of the distribution of distances, is inversely correlated (r, = -0.94) with biomass abundance. Under constant conditions, seeds of sparse species travel farther than seeds of common species. Dispersal ability is more closely related to a populational attribute (abundance) than to a more proximate characteristic (diaspore weight). Diaspore weight is closely related (rs = 0.97) to culm biomass of the parent, in apparently simple allometry, and more weakly related (r s = 0.71) to biomass abundance. Large parents make large seeds. The sparsest species, which is small in stature, has light (0.08 to 0.19 mg), flattened diaspores with low terminal velocities (82 to 87 cm sec-I) and achieves lateral movement (up to 460 mm) by tumbling and gliding. Species of intermediate abundance have intermediate stature and diaspore weight (1.0 to 1.8 mg), unornamented propagules, high terminal velocities (191 to 209 cm sec ") and intermediate dispersal ability (up to 388 mm).
    [Show full text]
  • Soil Seed Banks Near Rubbing Trees Indicate Dispersal of Plant Species Into Forests by Wild Boar
    Universität Potsdam Thilo Heinken, Marcus Schmidt, Goddert von Oheimb, Wolf-Ulrich Kriebitzsch, Hermann Ellenberg Soil seed banks near rubbing trees indicate dispersal of plant species into forests by wild boar first published in: Basic and applied ecology. - 7 (2006), 1, S. 31 - 44, DOI 10.1016/j.baae.2005.04.006 Postprint published at the Institutional Repository of the Potsdam University: In: Postprints der Universitat¨ Potsdam Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe ; 150 http://opus.kobv.de/ubp/volltexte/2010/4647/ http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-46476 Postprints der Universitat¨ Potsdam Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe ; 150 Soil seed banks near rubbing trees indicate dispersal of plant species into forests by wild boar Thilo Heinken, Marcus Schmidt, Goddert von Oheimb, Wolf-Ulrich Kriebitzsch and Hermann Ellenberg Address for correspondence: Thilo Heinken, Institut für Biochemie und Biologie, Biozönoseforschung/Spezielle Botanik, Universität Potsdam, D-14471 Potsdam, Germany Phone number: +49 331 977-4854 Fax number: +49 331 977-4865 E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Current knowledge about processes that generate long-distance dispersal of plants is still limited despite its importance for persistence of populations and colonization of new potential habitats. Today wild large mammals are presumed to be important vectors for long-distance transport of diaspores within and between European temperate forest patches, and in par- ticular wild boars recently came into focus. Here we use a specific habit of wild boar, i.e. wal- lowing in mud and subsequent rubbing against trees, to evaluate epizoic dispersal of vascu- lar plant diaspores. We present soil seed bank data from 27 rubbing trees versus 27 control trees from seven forest areas in Germany.
    [Show full text]
  • Fruit Polymorphism in Ephemeral Species of Namaqualand. II
    456 S.Afr.J.Bot., 1992, 58(6): 456 - 460 Fruit polymorphism in ephemeral species of Namaqualand. ll. Anatomical differences between polymorphic diaspores of Arctotis Jastuosa and Ursinia cakileJolia Karen Beneke,* Irmgard von Teichman,t Margaretha W. van Rooyen* and G.K. Theron* -Grassland Research Centre, Private Bag XOS, Lynn East, 0039 Republic of South Africa tMargaretha Mes Institute for Seed Research, Department of Botany, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002 Republic of South Africa *Department of Botany, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002 Republic of South Africa Received 25 November 1991; revised 20 June 1992 The different colour diaspore types of Arctotis fastuosa Jacq. and Ursinia cakilefolia DC. were examined. Pericarp and seed coat anatomy revealed only minor differences between fruit morphs. Diaspores of A. fastu­ osa are characterized, amongst others, by a lens-shaped pericarp operculum and bubble-shaped, air-filled cells in the outer epidermis of the seed coat. The latter may represent a mechanism to protect the embryo against excessive heat. Die verskillende kleur diaspoortipes van Arctotis fastuosa Jacq. en Ursinia cakilefolia DC. is ondersoek. Perikarp- en saadhuidanatomie verskil min tussen die vrugmorfe. Diaspoortipes van A. fastuosa word onder andere gekenmerk deur 'n lensvormige perikarp-operkulum en blaasvormige, luggevulde selle in die buitenste epidermis van die saadhuid. Laasgenoemde kan 'n meganisme verteenwoordig om die embrio teen oormatige hitte te beskerm. Keywords: Arctotis fastuosa, arid environment, Asteraceae, Namaqualand, Ursinia cakilefolia. *To whom correspondence should be addressed. Introduction examined both light- and electron-microscopically. Arctotis Jastuosa Jacq. and Ursinia cakilefolia OC. are two One third of the achene was removed and transverse sec­ polymorphic species from the arid Namaqualand.
    [Show full text]
  • Dispersal of Plants in the Central European Landscape – Dispersal Processes and Assessment of Dispersal Potential Exemplified for Endozoochory
    Dispersal of plants in the Central European landscape – dispersal processes and assessment of dispersal potential exemplified for endozoochory Dissertation zur Erlangung des Doktorgrades der Naturwissenschaften (Dr. rer. Nat.) der Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät III – Biologie und Vorklinische Medizin – der Universität Regensburg vorgelegt von Susanne Bonn Stuttgart Juli 2004 l Promotionsgesuch eingereicht am 13. Juli 2004 Tag der mündlichen Prüfung 15. Dezember 2004 Die Arbeit wurde angeleitet von Prof. Dr. Peter Poschlod Prüfungsausschuss: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Heinze Prof. Dr. Peter Poschlod Prof. Dr. Karl-Georg Bernhardt Prof. Dr. Christoph Oberprieler Contents lll Contents Chapter 1 General introduction 1 Chapter 2 Dispersal processes in the Central European landscape 5 in the change of time – an explanation for the present decrease of plant species diversity in different habitats? Chapter 3 »Diasporus« – a database for diaspore dispersal – 25 concept and applications in case studies for risk assessment Chapter 4 Assessment of endozoochorous dispersal potential of 41 plant species by ruminants – approaches to simulate digestion Chapter 5 Assessment of endozoochorous dispersal potential of 77 plant species by ruminants – suitability of different plant and diaspore traits Chapter 6 Conclusion 123 Chapter 7 Summary 127 References 131 List of Publications 155 Acknowledgements V Acknowledgements This thesis was a long-term “project“, where the result itself – the thesis – was often not the primary goal. Consequently, many people have contributed directly or indirectly to this thesis. First of all I would like to thank Prof. Dr. Peter Poschlod, who directed all steps of this “project”. His enthusiasm for all subjects and questions concerning dispersal was always “infectious”, inspiring and motivating. I am also grateful to Prof.
    [Show full text]