scholarly journals A new rain-operated seed dispersal mechanism in Bertolonia mosenii (Melastomataceae), a Neotropical rainforest herb

2002 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Pizo ◽  
L. P. C. Morellato
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Dispersal Mechanism ◽  
Neotropical Rainforest

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 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.

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.

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

scholarly journals THE UNPREDICTABLE EXPLOSIVE DISPERSAL MECHANISM OF A PRICKLY NEOTROPICAL Solanum (SOLANACEAE)

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (03) ◽  
pp. 769-774
Author(s):  
Thamyris Bragioni ◽  
◽  
João Renato Stehmann
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Dispersal Mechanism ◽  
Solanum Sect ◽  
Group Belonging ◽  
Explosive Dispersal

The mechanism of explosive dehiscence is rare in fruits in Solanum (Solanaceae), being reported for Solanum sect. Gonatotricum, a small non-aculeate group belonging to the Brevantherum clade. We tested empirically the presence of this strategy in populations of the closely related S. mellobarretoi and S. leptostachys, species belonging to the Leptostemonum clade, a group that comprises most aculeate species of the genus. Our results showed the occurrence of the explosive dehiscence in berries of S. mellobarretoi, but not in S. leptostachys, besides their phylogenetic and morphological similarities. We confirmed the homoplasic nature of the mechanism within the genus and highlight the importance of conducting empirical studies, contributing to reduce knowledge gaps on seed dispersal in the Neotropics.

Tumbling: Use of Diffuse Knapweed (Centaurea diffusa) to Examine an Understudied Dispersal Mechanism

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk V. Baker ◽  
John R. Withrow ◽  
Cynthia S. Brown ◽  
K. George Beck
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Invasive Plants ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Linear Process ◽  
Wind Tunnel Experiments ◽  
Centaurea Diffusa ◽  
Dispersal Mechanism ◽  
Independent Field ◽  
Diffuse Knapweed

AbstractDispersal is a critically important process in the spread of invasive plants. Although knowledge of dispersal will be crucial to preventing the spread of invasive plants, little research has been performed within this context. Many important invasive or agricultural weeds disperse their seeds via tumbling, yet only one previously published paper investigated this dispersal mechanism. Field and wind tunnel experiments were conducted to quantify and model tumbling dispersal. We developed competing models for diffuse knapweed seed dispersal from wind tunnel experiments and compared predictions to data collected from a field site in Colorado. Seeds were retained in plants that had traveled hundreds to as much as 1,039 m (3,408 ft). Although neither model accurately predicted dispersal when compared with independent field data, surprisingly, seed retention with distance was somewhat better described as a linear process than as exponential decay. Wind tunnel trials showed no evidence that the number of seeds deposited per meter depended on plant size. Thus, fecundity might be a key factor determining seed dispersal distances; plants with higher fecundity might disperse seeds over longer distances than those with fewer seeds.

scholarly journals Frugivory and seed dispersal in a hyperdiverse plant clade and its role as a keystone resource for the Neotropical fauna

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Vitor S Messeder ◽  
Fernando A O Silveira ◽  
Tatiana G Cornelissen ◽  
Lisieux F Fuzessy ◽  
Tadeu J Guerra
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Gut Passage ◽  
Dispersal Mechanism ◽  
Neotropical Fauna ◽  
Coexisting Species ◽  
Seed Handling

Abstract Background and Aims Much of our understanding of the ecology and evolution of seed dispersal in the Neotropics is founded on studies involving the animal-dispersed, hyperdiverse plant clade Miconia (Melastomataceae). Nonetheless, no formal attempt has been made to establish its relevance as a model system or indeed provide evidence of the role of frugivores as Miconia seed dispersers. Methods We built three Miconia databases (fruit phenology/diaspore traits, fruit–frugivore interactions and effects on seed germination after gut passage) to determine how Miconia fruiting phenology and fruit traits for >350 species interact with and shape patterns of frugivore selection. In addition, we conducted a meta-analysis evaluating the effects of animal gut passage/seed handling on Miconia germination. Key Results Miconia produce numerous small berries that enclose numerous tiny seeds within water- and sugar-rich pulps. In addition, coexisting species provide sequential, year long availability of fruits within communities, with many species producing fruits in periods of resource scarcity. From 2396 pairwise interactions, we identified 646 animal frugivore species in five classes, 22 orders and 60 families, including birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and ants that consume Miconia fruits. Endozoochory is the main dispersal mechanism, but gut passage effects on germination were specific to animal clades; birds, monkeys and ants reduced seed germination percentages, while opossums increased it. Conclusions The sequential fruiting phenologies and wide taxonomic and functional diversity of animal vectors associated with Miconia fruits underscore the likely keystone role that this plant clade plays in the Neotropics. By producing fruits morphologically and chemically accessible to a variety of animals, Miconia species ensure short- and long-distance seed dispersal and constitute reliable resources that sustain entire frugivore assemblages.

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