Morphological constraints on seed mass in lodgepole pine
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Functional Ecology
Publication Date
1990
Volume
4
Issue
2
First Page
183
Last Page
192
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Abstract
The two main proximate causes of intratree variation in individual seed mass of lodgepole pine [Pinus contorta var. latifolia (Dougl. ex Loudon)] were space constraints within cones and between-branch position effects. Cone scales get smaller near the distal tip of the cone. Seed predation has selected for the production of the fertile zone in the distal tip of the cone where cone scales are smaller. Thus, seed and wing size were constrained by cone scale size, and decreased from the base to the tip of the cone. Heavier seeds had larger seed wings, but wing loading (fruit mass/wing area) was independent of seed mass. Although it is possible that seed mass variation might be selected because it increases dispersal effectiveness, several factors - the consistent within-cone positional variation in seed mass, wing area, and wing loading; the dependence of seed mass, wing area, and wing loading on cone size; and the positive relationship between seed mass and wing area - suggest that variation is caused by constraints by scale size.
Print ISSN
02698463
E-ISSN
13652435
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 1990 Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
McGinley, M. A., Smith, C. C., Elliott, P. F., & Higgins, J. J. (1990). Morphological constraints on seed mass in lodgepole pine. Functional Ecology, 4(2), 183-192. doi: 10.2307/2389337