Experimental evaluation of the foliar flag hypothesis using fruits of Rhus glabra (L.) |
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Authors: | José M Facelli |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, P.O. Box 1059, 08855 Piscataway, NJ, USA;(2) Present address: Department of Botany, University of Adelaide, GPO Box 498 Adelaide, South Australia, 5001, Australia |
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Abstract: | I tested experimentally whether the presence of colorful plastic ovals (simulating foliar flags) attached to infructescences of Rhus glabra increase fruit removal by birds in a forest-oldfield border. I used a factorial experimental design testing for the effect of size (small or large) and color (yellow or red) of the flags. There was also a control, without flags. Large red flags increased the percent of fruits removed from the panicles, but yellow and small flags had no effect. My results give partial support to Stiles (1982) hypothesis that early color change of leaves close to the fruits in some plants may serve as visual signals that attract frugivorous birds and enhances seed dispersal. |
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Keywords: | Frugivorous birds Plant-animal coadaptations Temperate North America Seed dispersal |
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