Dispersal timing, palatability and caching of acorns of <i>Aesculus turbinata</i> Bl

Irie, Kazuharu; Tsuyuzaki, Shiro

doi:10.1080/11263504.2011.606986

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…This may be in agreement with the fact that small genome sizes are more reliable predictors of invasiveness in some gymnosperms and herbaceous angiosperms than in woody angiosperms (Grotkopp et al, 2004;Chen et al, 2010). Surprisingly, studies of Aesculus seed dispersal are rather rare (Thompson and Thompson, 1980;Hoshizaki et al, 1999;Irie and Tsuyuzaki, 2001) and focused mostly on the Japanese species A. turbinata. Lack of efficient dispersal mechanisms for relatively large seeds is probably the major reason for limited spread of introduced Aesculus species.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

Small genomes and large seeds: chromosome numbers, genome size and seed mass in diploidAesculusspecies (Sapindaceae)

Krahulcová¹,

Trávníček²,

Krahulec³

et al. 2017

Ann Bot

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Background and Aims Aesculus L. (horse chestnut, buckeye) is a genus of 12-19 extant woody species native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere. This genus is known for unusually large seeds among angiosperms. While chromosome counts are available for many Aesculus species, only one has had its genome size measured. The aim of this study is to provide more genome size data and analyse the relationship between genome size and seed mass in this genus. Methods Chromosome numbers in root tip cuttings were confirmed for four species and reported for the first time for three additional species. Flow cytometric measurements of 2C nuclear DNA values were conducted on eight species, and mean seed mass values were estimated for the same taxa. Key Results The same chromosome number, 2n ¼ 40, was determined in all investigated taxa. Original measurements of 2C values for seven Aesculus species (eight taxa), added to just one reliable datum for A. hippocastanum, confirmed the notion that the genome size in this genus with relatively large seeds is surprisingly low, ranging from 0Á955 pg 2C-1 in A. parviflora to 1Á275 pg 2C-1 in A. glabra var. glabra. Conclusions The chromosome number of 2n ¼ 40 seems to be conclusively the universal 2n number for nonhybrid species in this genus. Aesculus genome sizes are relatively small, not only within its own family, Sapindaceae, but also within woody angiosperms. The genome sizes seem to be distinct and non-overlapping among the four major Aesculus clades. These results provide an extra support for the most recent reconstruction of Aesculus phylogeny. The correlation between the 2C values and seed masses in examined Aesculus species is slightly negative and not significant. However, when the four major clades are treated separately, there is consistent positive association between larger genome size and larger seed mass within individual lineages.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

Small genomes and large seeds: chromosome numbers, genome size and seed mass in diploidAesculusspecies (Sapindaceae)

Krahulcová¹,

Trávníček²,

Krahulec³

et al. 2017

Ann Bot

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“…Working in a shrub encroached savanna embedded within a complex landscape matrix, we predicted rodents would selectively remove seeds of a woody encroacher (Dichrostachys cinerea). We predicted that the nutritious D. cinerea herbivore-dispersed seeds would also be highly palatable for rodents (Irie and Tsuyuzaki, 2011;Xiao and Zhang, 2016) and selected (i.e., removed at a higher rate) over a non-herbivore dispersed tree species (Senegalia nigrescens). Additionally, we predicted that fine-scale habitat conditions would have a greater influence on seed removal than the surrounding landscape because of rodents' strong behavioral responses to local vegetation structure (Lima and Dill, 1990;Loggins et al, 2019a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Savanna Rodents’ Selective Removal of an Encroaching Plant’s Seeds Increased With Grass Biomass

et al. 2021

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In savannas across the planet, encroaching woody plants are altering ecosystem functions and reshaping communities. Seed predation by rodents may serve to slow the encroachment of woody plants in grasslands and savannas. Our goals for this study were to determine if rodents in an African savanna selectively removed seeds of an encroaching plant and if foraging activity was influenced by the local vegetation structure or by the landscape context. From trials with two species of seeds (encroacher = Dichrostachys cinerea, non-encroaching overstory tree = Senegalia nigrescens) at 64 seed stations, we recorded 1,065 foraging events by seven species of granivorous rodents. We found a strong positive relationship between rodent activity and the number of seeds removed during trials. Foraging events were dominated by rodent seed predators, with <10.6% of events involving a rodent with the potential for secondary dispersal. Rodents selectively removed the seeds of the encroaching species, removing 32.6% more D. cinerea seeds compared to S. nigrescens. Additionally, rodent activity and the number of seeds removed increased at sites with more grass biomass. Our results suggest a potential mechanistic role for rodents in mitigating the spread of woody plants in grass dominated savannas.

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Dispersal timing, palatability and caching of acorns of Aesculus turbinata Bl

Cited by 2 publications

References 13 publications

Small genomes and large seeds: chromosome numbers, genome size and seed mass in diploidAesculusspecies (Sapindaceae)

Small genomes and large seeds: chromosome numbers, genome size and seed mass in diploidAesculusspecies (Sapindaceae)

Savanna Rodents’ Selective Removal of an Encroaching Plant’s Seeds Increased With Grass Biomass

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