Disobedient epiphytes: colonization and extinction rates in a metapopulation of Lepanthes rupestris (Orchidaceae) contradict theoretical predictions based on patch connectivity

摘要: The metapopulation concept is widely established in population biology. It predicts that the likelihood of colonization an empty patch positively correlated with its connectivity, because colonizers from occupied patches will be more likely to reach if they are closer it. Another prediction extinction negatively connectivity other patches, as can ‘reinforced’ by immigrants close by. We tested these predictions using extensive data set for epiphytic orchid, Lepanthes rupestris Puerto Rico. Our did not support first prediction, but we found connectivity. hypothesize this might most orchid seeds wind dispersed and do fall immediately below mother plant uniformly distributed after a steep leptokurtic distribution. predict taxa similar seed gene flow characteristics should show patterns association between colonization/extinction rates connectivity. © 2014 Linnean Society London, Botanical Journal Society, 2014, 175, 598–606.