How does reproductive strategy influence demography? A case study in the tropical, unisexual epiphyllous moss Crossomitrium patrisiae

摘要: PREMISE OF THE STUDY Leaf-inhabiting organisms offer an experimentally tractable model system within which to investigate the influence of alternative reproductive strategies on plant metapopulation dynamics. We conducted a field study determine whether (1) threshold colony sizes exist for onset sexual and asexual expression, (2) differentially within-patch dynamics tropical pleurocarpous moss Crossomitrium patrisiae. METHODS The growth, reproduction, fate 2101 colonies C. patrisiae were followed over 2 years size age sporophyte brood branch formation their growth rates longevity. KEY RESULTS Asexual expression rather than was limited by minimal size. Age uncoupled with sizes. Colonies bearing branches survived nearly twice as long sterile solely sporophytic colonies. However, no effect found. CONCLUSIONS This is among few attempts correlate life history demographic parameters terrestrial plants. Specifically, we provide evidence differential survivorship.