{"title":"Intraspecific variation in seed dispersal between annual and perennial populations.","authors":"Jenni Velichka, Jannice Friedman","doi":"10.1093/aob/mcae218","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and aims: </strong>Seed dispersal impacts plant fitness by shaping the habitat and distribution of offspring, influencing population dynamics and spatial genetic diversity. Whether the evolution of dispersal strategies varies across herbaceous life forms (annual, perennial, clonal) is inconclusive. This study examines how seed dispersal strategies vary between annual and perennial populations of Mimulus guttatus (syn. Erythranthe guttata), investigating differences in seedpod orientation and shape, and the probability and distance of seed dispersal.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a greenhouse experiment using 190 plants from 6 populations of annual and perennial M. guttatus, to compare floral orientation, seedpod architecture, and its effect on seed dispersal. We used controlled wind trials to measure the probability of seed dispersal and the dispersal distance of individual seeds from plants.</p><p><strong>Key results: </strong>We identify three key differences in seedpod architecture and seed dispersal in annuals and perennials: seedpods are angled more upward-facing in perennials compared to annuals; a lower proportion of seed is dispersed in perennials; and seed disperse farther in perennials than annuals. These results are consistent with our predictions that a clonal, perennial life form should be associated with traits that increase the retention of seeds, requiring greater wind speeds to dislodge seed and increasing dispersal distance.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Despite the close genetic relationship between annual and perennial populations of M. guttatus, we find differences in seedpod architecture and seed dispersal. We suggest that perennial plants, characterized by clonal reproduction and multi-year survival, benefit from strategies that facilitate long-distance seed dispersal to mitigate competition and promote colonization of new habitats.</p>","PeriodicalId":8023,"journal":{"name":"Annals of botany","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6000,"publicationDate":"2024-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Annals of botany","FirstCategoryId":"99","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcae218","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"PLANT SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background and aims: Seed dispersal impacts plant fitness by shaping the habitat and distribution of offspring, influencing population dynamics and spatial genetic diversity. Whether the evolution of dispersal strategies varies across herbaceous life forms (annual, perennial, clonal) is inconclusive. This study examines how seed dispersal strategies vary between annual and perennial populations of Mimulus guttatus (syn. Erythranthe guttata), investigating differences in seedpod orientation and shape, and the probability and distance of seed dispersal.
Methods: We conducted a greenhouse experiment using 190 plants from 6 populations of annual and perennial M. guttatus, to compare floral orientation, seedpod architecture, and its effect on seed dispersal. We used controlled wind trials to measure the probability of seed dispersal and the dispersal distance of individual seeds from plants.
Key results: We identify three key differences in seedpod architecture and seed dispersal in annuals and perennials: seedpods are angled more upward-facing in perennials compared to annuals; a lower proportion of seed is dispersed in perennials; and seed disperse farther in perennials than annuals. These results are consistent with our predictions that a clonal, perennial life form should be associated with traits that increase the retention of seeds, requiring greater wind speeds to dislodge seed and increasing dispersal distance.
Conclusions: Despite the close genetic relationship between annual and perennial populations of M. guttatus, we find differences in seedpod architecture and seed dispersal. We suggest that perennial plants, characterized by clonal reproduction and multi-year survival, benefit from strategies that facilitate long-distance seed dispersal to mitigate competition and promote colonization of new habitats.
期刊介绍:
Annals of Botany is an international plant science journal publishing novel and rigorous research in all areas of plant science. It is published monthly in both electronic and printed forms with at least two extra issues each year that focus on a particular theme in plant biology. The Journal is managed by the Annals of Botany Company, a not-for-profit educational charity established to promote plant science worldwide.
The Journal publishes original research papers, invited and submitted review articles, ''Research in Context'' expanding on original work, ''Botanical Briefings'' as short overviews of important topics, and ''Viewpoints'' giving opinions. All papers in each issue are summarized briefly in Content Snapshots , there are topical news items in the Plant Cuttings section and Book Reviews . A rigorous review process ensures that readers are exposed to genuine and novel advances across a wide spectrum of botanical knowledge. All papers aim to advance knowledge and make a difference to our understanding of plant science.