Potential Germination Success of Exotic and Native Trees Coexisting in Central Spain Riparian Forests

We compared potential germination success (i.e., percentage of produced seeds that germinate under optimal conditions), the percentage of empty and insect-damaged seeds, germinability (Gmax), and time to germination (Tgerm) between the exoticsAilanthus altissima,Robinia pseudoacacia,andUlmus pumilaand two coexisting native trees (Fraxinus angustifoliaandUlmus minor) in the riparian forests of Central Spain. Additionally, we tested the effect of seed age, seed bank type (canopy or soil) and population onGmaxandTgermofA. altissimaandR. pseudoacacia, which are seed-banking species. Species ranked by their potential germination success wereA. altissima>U. pumila>R. pseudoacacia>U. minor>F. angustifolia. The combination of a highGmaxand negligible seed insect-damage providedA. altissimawith a potential germination advantage over the natives, which were the least successful due to an extremely high percentage of empty seeds or a very lowGmax.R. pseudoacaciashowed high vulnerability to insect seed predation which might be compensated with the maintenance of persistent seed banks with highGmax.GmaxandTgermwere strongly affected by seed age in the seed-banking invaders, but between-seed bank variation ofGmaxandTgermdid not show a consistent pattern across species and populations.

Electrophoretic and allometric variation in burdock (Arctium spp.): hybridization and its ecological implications

Allometric variation and insect seed predation among Arctium minus, A. lappa, and two possible hybrids were quantified. All four biotypes were also examined using isoelectric focusing, and differences among their proteins were found for alkaline phosphatases, leucine amino peptidases, esterases, and peroxidases. The allometric and electrophoretic results indicated that hybridization between A. minus and A. lappa is very common. The implications for the population dynamics of Arctium are discussed. The parental species are probably maintained by the combined effects of differential insect predation on the seeds, differential dispersal of seeds, and reduced seed viability in hybrids.