Geographic patterns of seed mass are associated with climate factors, but relationships vary between species

Gorden, Nicole L. Soper; Winkler, Katharine J.; Jahnke, Matthew R.; Marshall, Elizabeth; Horky, Joshua; Hudelson, Colton; Etterson, Julie R.

doi:10.3732/ajb.1500295

Cited by 37 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 67 publications

(80 reference statements)

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“…For example a trend has been observed in seeds of the same species to decrease in size with latitude (Soper Gorden et al, 2016). However, it has been also noted the genetic primarily additive effect on seed size and shape; indeed a minimum of three or four genetic factors or blocks of genes appears to control seed heritability of seed size of Sorghum vulgare of the order of 60% (Voigt et al, 1966).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stone diversity in wild and cultivated olive trees (Olea europaea L.)

Hannachi¹,

Gómez²,

Saadaoui³

et al. 2017

Dendrobiology

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Abstract:The olive tree is represented in Tunisia by two varieties: var. sylvestris (wild olive trees) and var. europaea (cultivated olive trees including diverse cultivars). Seed (stone) size and shape analysis may provide the basis for relationships between varieties and cultivars as well as to study the responses to environmental conditions. A semi-automated method of image analysis allows to obtain data related with magnitudes descriptive of stone size and shape and to compare between wild and cultivated olives. Also, the effect of bioclimate on size and shape was analyzed in some cultivars. Stone size and shape presents high variability. In cultivated trees stones are larger. Mean seed image area is 0.38 and 0.75 cm² for wild and cultivated plants respectively. Roundness and circularity were compared as to their potential to define seed shape. Mean values were higher for circularity, but roundness is more variable reaching higher values in some individuals and varieties. Roundness is more useful to compare seed shape variations. In addition, climate factors affect the stone characteristics in cultivars; those of sub-humid region having larger stones. Phenotypic parameters of stone are discriminating parameters for the analysis of intra-specific, intra-varieties and intra-cultivars variability in Olea europaea.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stone diversity in wild and cultivated olive trees (Olea europaea L.)

Hannachi¹,

Gómez²,

Saadaoui³

et al. 2017

Dendrobiology

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“…For example, if population mean seed size is more strongly correlated with long-term climate conditions than with short-term climate anomalies, then natural selection can be interpreted to be more influential than phenotypic plasticity in generating the association. Several recent studies have used this approach to infer the role of evolutionary adaptation versus phenotypic plasticity in generating variation among populations in phenology, reproductive output, seed size and/or floral traits (Bontrager & Angert, 2016;Diskin, Roctor, Jebb, Sparks, & Donnelly, 2012;Munson & Sher, 2015;Ramírez-Valiente, Valladares, Gil, & Aranda, 2009;Soper Gorden et al, 2016). Alternatively, the effect on seed size of long-term climatic conditions may differ qualitatively from the effect of the climate anomalies, indicating that the direction of the evolutionary response to high values of a particular variable contrasts with the direction of the plastic response (e.g.…”

Section: The Potential For the Co-evolution Of Selffertilization Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mating system and historical climate conditions affect population mean seed mass: Evidence for adaptation and a new component of the selfing syndrome in Clarkia

et al. 2020

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“…Seed mass is dependent on environmental variables. For instance, larger seeds are generally found at lower latitudes and this relationship co-varies with higher long-term temperature (Moles et al, 2005(Moles et al, , 2007Soper Gorden et al, 2016). Furthermore, within the Australian Alps, the seed mass of Aciphylla glacialis, Oreomyrrhis eriopoda, Ranunculus gunnianus, Richea continentis and Wahlenbergia ceracea increased with elevation (Segal et al, unpublished data).…”

Section: Comparative Longevity and Drivers Thereofmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seed mass and elevation explain variation in seed longevity of Australian alpine species

et al. 2018

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Conserving alpine ecosystems and the plant communities they contain using ex situ conservation requires an understanding of seed longevity. Knowledge of seed longevity may determine the effectiveness of ex situ seed banking for alpine plant conservation, and may provide insight into plant recruitment in situ. We sought to determine the influence of elevation and climatic variables, as well as plant and seed traits, on the seed longevity of 57 species inhabiting a unique biome, (sub-)alpine regions of mainland Australia. Seed longevity was estimated using controlled accelerated ageing tests to determine the time taken for seed viability to fall by 50%. We found that, across the study species, like alpine seeds elsewhere in the world, Australian alpine seeds are relatively short-lived and overall shorter-lived than Australian plants in general. Seed mass and elevation explained most of the variation in seed longevity among the Australian alpine species considered. Species with larger seed mass, and collections made at higher elevations, were found to have relatively short-lived seeds. Phylogeny, however, explained very little of the variation in longevity. Our results suggest that viability testing for Australian alpine seeds in ex situ seed banks should be conducted with shorter intervals than for the non-alpine flora. This study highlights how seed longevity in the Australian Alps is not dictated primarily by evolutionary lineage but rather by a complex combination of environmental variables and intrinsic seed characteristics. Potential implications for conservation ex situ and in situ in the context of climate change are discussed.

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Geographic patterns of seed mass are associated with climate factors, but relationships vary between species

Cited by 37 publications

References 67 publications

Stone diversity in wild and cultivated olive trees (Olea europaea L.)

Stone diversity in wild and cultivated olive trees (Olea europaea L.)

Mating system and historical climate conditions affect population mean seed mass: Evidence for adaptation and a new component of the selfing syndrome in Clarkia

Seed mass and elevation explain variation in seed longevity of Australian alpine species

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