Frequency-dependent seed size selection on Cryptocarya alba (Mol.) Looser (Lauraceae): testing the effect of background

摘要: Seed size affects the probability of seed predation. Large seeds should be preferred over small but selective responses predators may also frequency-dependent. prefer most common sizes (apostatic selection), rarest ones (antiapostatic selection) or even unresponsive to seeds. Moreover, density further modify predators. We expect that at a low consumption concentrated on sizes, and high it rare as act background makes phenotypes more conspicuous (the effect background). tested this prediction in field experiment with Cryptocarya alba (Lauraceae) La Campana National Park, central Chile. presented large two contrasting densities (ten 100 per m2) five frequencies seeds: 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 0.9. After 28 days we measured proportions classes remaining were always seeds, when they frequency. Contrary predictions, was antiapostatic whereas selection independent discuss causes consequences such expressed by predators. © 2005 The Linnean Society London, Biological Journal Society, 2005, 84, 137–142.