Bicolored display of Miconia albicans fruits: Evaluating visual and physiological functions

摘要: 2 PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Most bird-dispersed fruits are green when unripe and become colored conspicuous ripe, signaling that ready to be consumed dispersed. The color pattern for of Miconia albicans (Melastomataceae), however, is the opposite, with reddish ripe fruits. We (1) verifi ed maintenance over time its bicolored display, (2) tested communicative function fruits, (3) photo- protective role anthocyanins in (4) whether can assimilate carbon. METHODS: Using a paired experiment, we detection was higher on infructescences compared only also measured gas exchange, chlorophyll fl uorescence, heat dissipation covered (to pre- vent anthocyanin synthesis) uncovered KEY RESULTS: Although display maintained time, had no infl uence bird removal Ripe did not CO , but they respired instead. CONCLUSIONS: Since confi rmed, seed dispersers unlikely select Because absence photosynthetic activity enhanced photoprotective mechanisms rather than could rm As an alternative hypothesis, suggest fruit adaptation diversify dispersal vectors instead restricting birds may have defense against pathogens.