摘要:

An important motivation for the study of variability in size and reproductive output in plant populations is its potential relation to natural selection. However, very few data are available to assess the genetic component of fitness—related traits in competing plant populations, or the differential performance of plant genotypes at different densities. To address these issues we conducted an experiment using 25 genotypes of a colonizing herbaceous annual, Polygonum pensylvanicum. These genotypes were randomly sampled from a natural population and cloned by axillary meristem enhancement. Cloned plants were grown in a glasshouse at three densities spanning the range encountered in the natural population (from individually grown to 850 individuals/m2). The growth and fate of a total of 1400 individuals were followed over the course of a 10—wk growing period. Variability in size and reproductive output (as measured by the coefficient of variation of vegetative and reproductive dry mass) increased with density. Early plant size measures were positively correlated with subsequent relative growth rates in dense populations, but not among individually grown plants. These observations indicate the likely importance of asymmetric or "one—sided" competition in the dense populations. The proportion of variance in final size and reproduction explained by genotype was generally higher for individually grown plants than for plants grown under crowded conditions. We suggest that this may result from asymmetric competitive interactions working to amplify early size differences resulting primarily from environmental and developmental "noise." The same genotypes were not superior across all densities. Qualitative ("cross—over") interactions for fitness—related characters were observed in comparing genotype performance between the individually grown vs. the low and high density treatments. Genotypes with an early size advantage were predictably favored in dense populations, but the genetic correlation between early and final performance was weaker among individually grown plants. In sum, density increased relative variation in fitness correlates such as reproductive biomass, but decreased the heritability of these traits. The response of selection is the product of these two opposing forces. Applying our results to some elementary quantitative genetic models suggests that the potential for natural selection would increase with population density, while the potential for genetic drift would decrease. Such patterns may be of particular evolutionary importance in colonizing annuals, whose life histories imply an alternate exposure of genotypes to high and low densities.

ISSN:0012-9615    

DOI:10.2307/2937099

出版商:Ecological Society of America    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0012-9615    

DOI:10.2307/2937100

出版商:Ecological Society of America    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

This paper presents the results of a 5—yr field study on the determinants of individual variation in maternal fecundity (seed production) in the narrowly endemic violet Viola cazorlensis (Violaceae), at a southeastern Spanish locality. Flowers of this species are characterized by a very long, thin spur and broad morphological variability, and are pollinated by a single species of day—flying hawk moth (Macroglossum stellatarum; Lepidoptera, Sphingidae). The primary aim of this investigation was to answer the question, What are the relative importances, as explanations of individual differences in fecundity, of variability in floral traits and of other fecundity determinants that are of an extrinsic nature, such as microhabitat type and interactions with herbivores? The floral morphology of individual V. cazorlensis plants was characterized by means of both "conventional," linear measurements of the size of flower parts (petals, spur, peduncle), and shape analysis of corolla outline (using thin—plate splines relative warps analysis). Spatial (among substrate types) and temporal (among years) patterns of variation in flower, fruit, and seed production by V. cazorlensis plants are described, with particular emphasis on the comparative effects of floral morphology, herbivory (by mammalian ungulates and two species of lepidopteran larvae), and substrate type (rock cliffs, bare rocks at ground level, and sandy soils), on cumulative seed production at the individual plant level. Cumulative seed production of individual V. cazorlensis plants depended significantly on average floral morphology (both size and shape components), thus revealing the existence of phenotypic selection on the floral morphology of this species at the study population. Among all the floral traits examined, spur length was the only one for which no significant relationship with fecundity was found. Type of substrate largely determined differences between V. cazorlensis plants in the impact of herbivory (plants growing on the soil exhibited the greatest reproductive losses to herbivores), and it also influenced plant size and flower production per reproductive episode. Plant size, in turn, influenced the supra—annual frequency of flowering and the number of flowers produced in each reproductive event. Flower production and herbivory levels significantly influenced (positively and negatively, respectively) fruit number, which was the major direct determinant of seed production. Path analysis revealed that the main determinants of individual variation in cumulative seed production over the study period were, in decreasing order of importance (absolute value of "effect coefficient" in parentheses), cumulative fruit production (0.946), mean flower production per reproductive event (0.868), plant size (0.441), herbivory by ungulates (—0.221), and average score on the first relative warp (0.107), a descriptor of flower shape. After accounting for the effects of substrate type, herbivory, plant size, and flower and fruit production, individual variation in floral morphology (aspects of size and shape) explained a negligible proportion (2.1%) of total individual variation in cumulative fruit production. Phenotypic selection on the floral morphology of V. cazorlensis at the study population, although statistically significant, was therefore almost inconsequential as a source of individual variation in maternal fitness, its effects being heavily "dilute" by the overwhelming influence of other factors. As exemplified by this study, selection on the floral phenotype may often become largely irrelevant in evolutionary terms because other ecological factors are far more important determinants of fitness differences among plants. A realistic assessment of the potential relevance of selection on plant reproductive traits thus requires a quantitative evaluation, in its natural scenario, of the predictable consequences of such selection.

ISSN:0012-9615    

DOI:10.2307/2937101

出版商:Ecological Society of America    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

The model of competition for light presented here uses modular autonomy to incorporate plasticity in plant growth under competition. Once plants are characterized as composed of modules, then model structure for competition changes in a fundamental way. Interactions between the plant module and its local resource environment must be modeled rather than the traditionally viewed interactions between whole plants and their neighbors. We assume that a plant module interacts with its local resource environment regardless of whether this environment was altered by a neighbor or by the same plant. Two spatial processes are considered: resource acquisition and growth. The spatial pattern of resource acquisition by a module determines a growth and allocation pattern, e.g., the elongation of branches into a gap. The spatial structure of a module and its connection to the whole tree then determines the pattern of resource distribution and resource acquisition of the next time step.Plasticity of plant growth is incorporated by variation in both the efficiency of resource capture of modules and patterns of resource allocation for individuals of different canopy positions and results in individuals in the community having different spatial structures. The model simulates the three—dimensional development of tree crown structure over time. It is applied to the 30—yr development of a dense, spatially aggregated stand of Abies amabilis beginning with an initial pattern of seedlings. The importance of incorporation of plasticity is apparent when the model output is compared to observed height distribution and crown structure data. Simulations indicate that asymmetrical crown development, one form of plasticity, is advantageous to stand productivity and becomes more advantageous as the degree of spatial aggregation in the initial spacing of trees increases.

ISSN:0012-9615    

DOI:10.2307/2937102

出版商:Ecological Society of America    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

I quantitatively test the hypothesis that four taxa or "types" (species or subspecies) of Red Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) in the Pacific Northwest have diversified morphologically in bill characters in response to alternative adaptive peaks presented by their food: seeds in conifer cones. Hypothetically, each adaptive peak corresponds to one conifer species whose seeds are (1) produced regularly from year to year, (2) held in cones through late winter when seed is most limiting, and (3) protected from depletion by potential noncrossbill competitors. Four such conifers, termed "key conifers," are present (Tsuga heterophylla, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus ponderosa, and Pinus contorta var. latifolia). I use data on foraging efficiency for 31 captive crossbills of four types to determine the optimal bill size and palate structure for foraging on the key conifers. As predicted, if each type is adapted for foraging on a key conifer, the observed morphology of a given type is often the predicted optimal size morphology of foraging on its respective key conifer. Two of the types have mean bill sizes (bill depth) equalling their predicted optimal size. For one of the remaining types, the observed differs from the optimum by 0.4 mm; I was unable to predict an optimal size for the remaining type. Optimal bill size varies with season. Bill sizes corresponded more closely to the optima for winter (lean period) than for summer. Observed mean width of the palate groove, in which crossbills hold conifer seeds while the seeds are being husked, was consistently close to the estimated optimal groove width. Optimal groove width was correlated (r2= 1.00, n = 4) with seed size (cube root of mass), suggesting optimal groove width is determined by seed size. Overall, each crossbill type has either the optimal bill size or optimal husking groove width, or both, for foraging on their key conifers. Fitness set analyses indicate that there are substantial trade—offs in foraging efficiency. The best phenotype for foraging on one conifer is often only one—half as efficient on other conifers. All four fitness sets are concave, implying selection against intermediate phenotypes. I conclude, first, that reliability of seeds on key conifers during periods of food scarcity is a critical feature in the ecology and evolution of crossbills. Second, optimization of morphological traits occurs even in populations in highly variable environments. Third, disruptive selection against intermediate phenotypes is likely. This should maintain, if not reinforce, the distinctiveness of types. Fourth, the diversity of cone structure and seed size among key conifers is ultimately responsible for the diversification of crossbills.

ISSN:0012-9615    

DOI:10.2307/2937103

出版商:Ecological Society of America    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0012-9615    

DOI:10.2307/2937104

出版商:Ecological Society of America    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY