作者: Lydia K. Guja , David J. Merritt , Kingsley W. Dixon , Grant Wardell-Johnson
DOI: 10.1071/BT13290
关键词:
摘要: Dispersal of plant propagules by ocean currents can result in long-distance dispersal and is important for the persistence coastal species. However, ability such species to disperse via often unknown because there relatively little evidence that demonstrates seeds or fruits float survive extended periods seawater. Furthermore, seed fruit traits, intraspecific variation these facilitate buoyancy remain largely unidentified. The genus Scaevola (L.) contains several widespread may be capable oceanic dispersal, as S. crassifolia (Labill). We collected along 700 km a latitudinal environmental gradient. These were used determine influence morphology anatomy on buoyancy. Morphological anatomical was associated with potential. Our empirical data demonstrated larger aeriferous mesocarp layers have greater and, therefore, enhanced capacity long range dispersal. Of three characters hypothesised affect (aeriferous mesocarp, air pockets empty locules, number vascular cavities), only properties significant. Intraspecific significantly potential, should not overlooked ecology.