Partial predispersal seed predation in Lotus corniculatus L. (Fabaceae)

AbstractPredispersal seed predation may have implications for plant population dynamics and the evolution of plant traits, but assessing the level of seed predation for an individual plant is not always straightforward. Seeds of Lotus corniculatus (Fabaceae) are often only partially eaten by a weevil seed predator, Apion loti. Samples of these seeds were tested for viability and subsequent seedling vigour. A large proportion of these damaged seeds were viable, and the resulting seedlings almost as vigorous as those from undamaged seeds. The ubiquity of these findings, and their ecological significance, is discussed.

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Predispersal seed predation and population dynamics in the perennial understorey herb Actaea spicata

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b03-099 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 81 (11) ◽

pp. 1058-1069 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Heléne Fröborg ◽

Ove Eriksson

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Seed Predation ◽

Seedling Recruitment ◽

Deciduous Forest ◽

Transition Probabilities ◽

Coniferous Forest ◽

Perennial Herb ◽

Seed Predator ◽

Predispersal Seed Predation ◽

The Impact

Predispersal seed predation by a moth larva, Eupithecia immundata Leinig & Zeller (Geometridae), and its impact on population dynamics of the perennial herb Actaea spicata L. were studied during 7 years in deciduous and mixed coniferous forest populations in southeastern Sweden. Twelve population matrix models were constructed based on transition probabilities among six stage classes in the populations. The fraction of seeds consumed varied between 21% and 80% but was not significantly correlated with seed production. Experimental seed addition compensating for seed losses caused by the seed predator resulted in increased seedling emergence in one of the populations. Population growth rate was positive (λ > 1) in 1 of 6 years in the deciduous forest population and in 2 of 6 years in the mixed coniferous forest population. Survival among reproductive individuals contributed most strongly to λ in both populations. In some years, the projected λ changed from positive to negative values because of seed loss caused by E. immundata. However, results suggest that seed predation did not affect λ to any large extent, despite a considerable seed predation. This study is one of the rare efforts to estimate the impact of seed predation on population dynamics of perennial plants.Key words: Actaea spicata, demography, population dynamics, predispersal seed predation, seedling recruitment.

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Individual crop size increases predispersal predation by beetles in a tropical palm

Seed Science Research ◽

10.1017/s0960258520000380 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Morgana Maria Arcanjo Bruno ◽

Klécia Gili Massi ◽

Alexander V. Christianini ◽

John du Vall Hay

Keyword(s):

Seed Predation ◽

Positive Influence ◽

Reproductive Phenology ◽

Individual Plant ◽

Crop Size ◽

Seed Predators ◽

Plant Trait ◽

Predispersal Seed Predation ◽

Total Seed ◽

Number Of Seeds

Abstract Predispersal seed predation is one of the main causes of seed mortality in plant populations, contributing to decreased plant recruitment. Seed loss has previously been found to be related to crop size. Thus, we examined the influence of individual crop size on predispersal seed predation by beetles in the palm Syagrus flexuosa in the Brazilian savanna. The study was carried out in three tropical woodland savanna sites, where we sampled the total seed crop of 46 fruiting palms and checked the presence of beetle larvae inside all seeds per plant. We observed predispersal seed predation of S. flexuosa from all sites and a high variation in the number of seeds preyed on per individual palm. Crop size had a positive influence on the number of seeds lost to predispersal seed predators. Variations in levels of predispersal seed predation may also be accounted for by the reproductive phenology of S. flexuosa. If fruits are not available at the same time, less resource is available for predators and therefore a high proportion of seeds may be preyed on. Thus, our study demonstrates that an individual plant trait, crop size, is an important predictor of beetle seed damage per palm and a driver of the number of seeds lost to predispersal seed predators.

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Population dynamics of the shrub Acacia suaveolens (Sm.) Willd.: Seed production and predispersal seed predation

Austral Ecology ◽

10.1111/j.1442-9993.1986.tb01394.x ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 219-234 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

TONY D. AULD ◽

PETER J. MYERSCOUGH

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Seed Production ◽

Seed Predation ◽

Predispersal Seed Predation

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PREDISPERSAL SEED PREDATION OF CANADA THISTLE

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/ent1171075-9 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 117 (9) ◽

pp. 1075-1081 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

S.F. Forsyth ◽

A.K. Watson

Keyword(s):

Seed Predation ◽

Population Regulation ◽

Geographical Location ◽

Cirsium Arvense ◽

Canada Thistle ◽

Seed Predator ◽

Microscopic Studies ◽

Predispersal Seed Predation ◽

The Impact

AbstractPredispersal seed predation of Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. (Asteraceae) by Orellia ruficauda (Fabr.) (Diptera: Tephritidae) occurs in about 20–85% of the seed heads and the proportion of damaged seeds per attacked head averages 20–80% depending on geographical location and sampling date. Microscopic studies of damaged seeds were performed. Although the impact of this seed predator is not severe, it may be an important factor in the population regulation of the weed.

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Reduced plant fitness by pre-dispersal seed predation in the threatened plant species Cirsium decussatum

Seed Science Research ◽

10.1017/s0960258518000107 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 123-130 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Alina Stachurska-Swakoń ◽

Beata Barabasz-Krasny ◽

Anna Klasa ◽

Andrzej Palaczyk

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Seed Predation ◽

Plant Traits ◽

Plant Fitness ◽

Plant Population Dynamics ◽

Selective Force ◽

Seed Predators ◽

Threatened Plant Species ◽

Taxonomic Groups ◽

Oviposition Sites

AbstractSeed predation has been suggested to play a crucial role in plant population dynamics and could act as a strong selective force in the evolution of plant traits such as plant phenology, size and number of flowers. The loss of seeds could be particularly threatening for population maintenance of rare plant species. We investigated the influence of seed predators on plant fitness of the rare monocarpic thistle Cirsium decussatum. We tested the following hypotheses: (1) pre-dispersal seed predators reduce the number of dispersed propagules; (2) seed predators select larger inflorescences as oviposition sites; (3) the size of the capitulum is correlated with seed productivity; and (4) seed predators compete for the oviposition sites. We identified ten insect taxa from different taxonomic groups in the capitula of C. decussatum. Terellia longicauda larvae (Diptera: Tephritidae) were the most common. The presence of the flies’ larvae was positively correlated with the predation level in the capitula. Females of T. longicauda selected larger inflorescences for laying eggs that may increase offspring fitness as larger inflorescences promise more food resources. We could not prove the presence of competition between insect species inhabiting the capitula. Our data suggest, however, that T. longicauda, a specialized seminophagous dipteran, is one of the factors that negatively influence the fitness of threatened C. decussatum, lowering significantly the seed pool. Terellia longicauda potentially acts as a strong selective force in the evolution of C. decussatum inflorescence size.

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