Seed size variation: magnitude,distribution, and ecological correlates |
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| Authors: | Helen J Michaels B Benner A P Hartgerink T D Lee S Rice Mary F Willson Robert I Bertin |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Plant Biology, Morrill Hall, University of Illinois, 505 S. Goodwin, 61801 Urbana, IL, USA;(2) Department of Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution, Shelford Vivarium, University of Illinois, 606 E. Healey St, 61820 Champaign, IL, USA;(3) Present address: Division of Biological Sciences, University of Michigan, 48109 Ann Arbor, MI;(4) Present address: Department of Botany, Indiana University, 47405 Bloomington, IN;(5) Present address: Department of Botany, University of New Hampshire, 03824 Durham, NH;(6) Present address: Department of Biology, College of the Holy Cross, 01610 Worcester, MA, USA |
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| Abstract: | Summary We examined seed-mass variation in 39 species (46 populations) of plants in eastern-central Illinois, USA. The coefficient of variation of seed mass commonly exceeded 20%. Significant variation in mean seed mass occurred among conspecific plants in most species sampled (by hierarchical ANOVA), averaging 38% of total variance. For most species, within-plant variation was the larger component of total variance, averaging 62% of total variance. Variation in seed mass among fruits within crops was significant in most species tested.We conclude that variation in seed mass among and within plants is widespread and common. There was little evidence of trade-offs between number of seeds and mean or variance of seed mass, and little correlational evidence of local competition for maternal resources. No consistent ecological (dispersal mode and growth form) correlates of variance of seed mass were evident. |
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| Keywords: | Seed size variation |
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