Potential ballistic dispersal of Cytisus scoparius (Fabaceae) seeds

2004 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan E. Malo
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Mixture Model ◽  
Experimental Approach ◽  
Cytisus Scoparius ◽  
Dispersal Mechanism ◽  
Ballistic Dispersal ◽  
Flat Roof ◽  
Underlying Processes

Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link (Fabaceae) has a ballistic type of primary seed-dispersal mechanism in which its legumes dehisce suddenly when they dry. This paper presents an experimental approach to the measurement and modeling of distances reached by seeds under optimum dispersal conditions. Branchlets of the species carrying mature legumes were collected and attached to 1.20-m-high platforms on a flat roof terrace. For 2 weeks, daily measurements were made of distances attained by seeds ejected from legumes in the previous 24 h. Seeds were found at a distance of 2343 ± 113 mm (mean ± s.e., n = 245), with 10.2% of recorded distances greater than 5 m and some about 7 m. The mixture model fitted to the distances traveled by seeds allows the mathematical isolation of two underlying processes, the ballistic projection of seeds by dehiscent legumes (nearly 49% of seeds, reaching 3686 ± 1797 mm) and the barochorous dispersal of the remaining seeds in the platform environs (1254 ± 1254 mm). Modeling shows that seeds dispersed ballistically reach locations at some distance from the shrub crown, with low densities of sibling seeds—a potential advantage for the establishment of new individuals.

scholarly journals Spatiotemporal Patterns and Mechanisms of Chinese Tallowtree (Triadica sebifera) Spread along Edge Habitat in a Coastal Landscape, Mississippi, USA

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaofei Fan ◽  
Shaoyang Yang ◽  
Xia Liu
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Spatiotemporal Patterns ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Triadica Sebifera ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Edge Habitat ◽  
Dispersal Mechanism

AbstractChinese tallowtree [Triadica sebifera(L.) Small] has reached unprecedented prevalence in coastal landscapes in the Gulf of Mexico, especially along edge habitat with low competition and abundant resource (e.g., light) availability. This study investigated the spatiotemporal patterns and mechanisms ofT. sebiferaspread along roadways and fire lines.Triadica sebiferaindividuals and landscape and community features were surveyed in equally spaced, spatially mapped plots. AllT. sebiferaindividuals were felled to determine tree age and status (seed trees or non-seed bearing trees), andT. sebiferaseed and seedling (≤2 yr old) densities and community and landscape features (over- and understory conditions, distance to seed trees) were measured. A zero-inflated negative binomial model was used to evaluate factors affectingT. sebiferaseed dispersal and seedling recruitment contributing to the observed spatiotemporal patterns. Introduced into the Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge around 30 yr ago,T. sebiferatrees distribute in clustered patterns along roadways and fire lines and exhibit an exponential growth in density. HighT. sebiferaseed and seedling densities mainly occurred in sites that are ≤250 m from seed trees or have sparse overstory and high understory grass/herb coverage. With respect to the avian seed dispersal mechanism, the spatiotemporal patterns ofT. sebiferaspread along roadways and fire lines could be simply characterized by using landscape and community features that influence avian behaviors, including distance to seed trees, overstory tree density, and ground grass/herb coverage.

scholarly journals Martynia annua (tiger's claw).

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julissa Rojas-Sandoval
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Central America ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
Medicinal Herb ◽  
Dispersal Mechanism ◽  
The World ◽  
The Caribbean

Abstract Martynia annua is grown as an ornamental and medicinal herb. Originally native to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, its effective seed dispersal mechanism has helped it spread throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world as a weed of pastures, disturbed sites, roadsides, moist thickets, riverbanks and floodplains. Currently, it is listed as invasive in Australia, New Caledonia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Cuba.

scholarly journals Secondary seed dispersal of Ricinus communis Linnaeus (Euphorbiaceae) by ants in secondary growth vegetation in Minas Gerais

2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 1013-1018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mário Marcos do Espírito Santo
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Natural Population ◽  
Ricinus Communis ◽  
Secondary Growth ◽  
Dispersal Distance ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Atta Sexdens ◽  
Directed Dispersal ◽  
Ballistic Dispersal ◽  
Secondary Seed Dispersal

In this study, I tested the efficacy of ants as secondary seed dispersers of Ricinus communis in southeastern Brazil. In a natural population of 143 individuals, I determined the ballistic dispersal distance for 62 seeds and 100 additional seeds were experimentally offered to ants in groups of ten seeds along a transect of 50 m. Fifty-three seeds were removed by ants, mainly by the leafcutter Atta sexdens (90.4%). The dispersal distance by ants was high, compared to the global average (4.38 m ± 0.74 m vs. 0.96 m), but was lower than the ballistic distance (7.27 m ± 0.13 m). Ants increased the total dispersal distance (8.66 m ± 0.60 m), but the main benefit for the plant was the directed dispersal, with seed deposition on the enriched soil of ant nests.

scholarly journals Fruit and seed structural characteristics and seed dispersal in Mercurialis annua L. (Euphorbiaceae)

2014 ◽  
Vol 66 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 379-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Lisci ◽  
Ettore Pacini
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Outer Integument ◽  
Thick Layer ◽  
Ant Nest ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ballistic Dispersal ◽  
Mean Time ◽  
Mercurialis Annua

The fruit of <em>Mercurialis annua</em> L. is a two-seeded capsule with a caruncle, a small appendage which arises from the outer integument in the micropylar area. The inner integument has a thick layer of Malpighian-like cells, interrupted at the micropyle by a remnant of nucellus, the walls of which contain suberin. There is no cuticle covering the caruncle and its cells have lipids and protein bodies as reserves. Seed dispersal occurs by a combination of autochory followed by myrmecochory. The explosive ejection of seeds is caused by dehydration-induced torsion of the mechanical layer of the fruit walls. This phenomenon is due to the different orientation of the cells and a folding over of the mechanical layer in the chalazal area. The seeds were found to be thrown distances from 1 to 130 cm (mean 41.1 cm; modal peak 10-20 cm). Ballistic dispersal is influenced by the weight of the seed. The seeds were collected by ants in a mean time of 24.4 minutes the maximum and mean distances of dispersal being 14 and 3.4 m, respectively. Of the seeds removed, 95.2 % were recovered on excavation of the ant nest. The seeds in the nest were intact but without the caruncles. The mean distance of dispersal by diplochory was &lt; 5 m. These features are discussed in relation to possible benefits to the plant species in terms of adaptive advantages of seeds.

scholarly journals Nest building by Darwin’s finches as an overlooked seed dispersal mechanism

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-45
Author(s):  
Carlos Camacho ◽  
Marc-Olivier Beausoleil ◽  
Julio Rabadán-González ◽  
Roxanne Richard
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Nest Building ◽  
Nest Material ◽  
Intense Rainfall ◽  
Darwin's Finches ◽  
Seed Predators ◽  
Dispersal Mechanism ◽  
Darwin’S Finches ◽  
Cotton Seeds

AbstractCaliochory, or seed dispersal by birds as nest material, has been reported for several species, but its effectiveness remains unclear in most cases. Darwin’s finches are traditionally regarded as seed predators, but the observation of two nests challenges this assumption by demonstrating that they can act as seed dispersers via caliochory. Darwin’s finches incorporate cotton-like materials into their nests, including seeds of Darwin’s cotton (Gossypium darwinii), a shrub endemic to the Galápagos (Ecuador). Bird nests typically break down after intense rainfall, so the seeds incorporated into nests might benefit from suitable conditions for germination. By simulating the germination conditions experienced over a 72-h period by cotton seeds in a naturally fallen nest, this study qualitatively confirms the long-term viability of at least a small fraction of the seeds at the surface of the nest. Darwin’s finches might therefore provide seed-dispersal services to Darwin’s cotton and possibly, other native and exotic plants of the Galápagos commonly incorporated into nests. However, larger confirmatory studies are needed.

A new species of Solanum subg. Leptostemonum (Solanaceae) from the southern Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Phytotaxa ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 288 (3) ◽  
pp. 258 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARIA DE FÁTIMA AGRA ◽  
JOÃO RENATO STEHMANN
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Minas Gerais ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Espinhaço Range ◽  
Dispersal Mechanism ◽  
First Time ◽  
A New Species

Solanum mellobarretoi, a new species of Solanum subg. Leptostemonum (Solanaceae), is described and illustrated. It is endemic to Brazil and restricted to the southern Espinhaço Range in the State of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Solanum mellobarretoi is morphologically related to S. leptostachys Dunal, from which it differs by its irregularly lobed lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate leaves, irregularly lobed, ovate to lanceolate calyx lobes, larger flowers, and pentagonal rotate corolla with cuspidate lobes. Although known in other groups of Solanum, the explosive seed dispersal mechanism found in this species is described here for the first time for the spiny solanums. The affinities with S. leptostachys, geographic distribution, ecology and conservation status of S. mellobarretoi are discussed.

scholarly journals Endozoochory by beetles: a novel seed dispersal mechanism

2011 ◽  
Vol 107 (4) ◽  
pp. 629-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara de Vega ◽  
Montserrat Arista ◽  
Pedro L. Ortiz ◽  
Carlos M. Herrera ◽  
Salvador Talavera
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Dispersal Mechanism
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