The Relationship between Diaspore Characteristics with Phylogeny, Life History Traits, and Their Ecological Adaptation of 150 Species from the Cold Desert of Northwest China

Abstract

Diaspore characteristics of 22 families, including 102 genera and 150 species (55 represented by seeds and 95 by fruits) from the Gurbantunggut Desert were analyzed for diaspore biological characteristics (mass, shape, color, and appendage type). The diaspore mass and shape were significantly different in phylogeny group (APG) and dispersal syndromes; vegetative periods significantly affected diaspore mass, but not diaspore shape; and ecotypes did not significantly affect diaspore mass and shape, but xerophyte species had larger diaspore mass than mesophyte species. Unique stepwise ANOVA results showed that variance in diaspore mass and shape among these 150 species was largely dependent upon phylogeny and dispersal syndromes. Therefore, it was suggested that phylogeny may constrain diaspore mass, and as dispersal syndromes may be related to phylogeny, they also constrained diaspore mass and shape. Diaspores of 85 species (56.67%) had appendages, including 26 with wings/bracts, 18 with pappus/hair, 14 with hooks/spines, 10 with awns, and 17 with other types of appendages. Different traits (mass, shape, color, appendage, and dispersal syndromes) of diaspore decided plants forming different adapted strategies in the desert. In summary, the diaspore characteristics were closely related with phylogeny, vegetative periods, dispersal syndromes, and ecotype, and these characteristics allowed the plants to adapt to extreme desert environments.

Geographic patterns of seed mass are associated with climate factors, but relationships vary between species

“…Some awns have stiff hairs or thorns on their surface that help provide unidirectional "ratcheting" movement for seeds ( Elbaum et al, 2007 ;Kulic et al, 2009 ). In some cases, awns react with water to increase seed burying depth through spiraling or "drilling" motions ( Garnier and Dajoz, 2001 ;Elbaum et al, 2007 ;Johnson and Baruch, 2014 ;Liu et al, 2014 ). In many cases, this increased burial depth can lead to increased survival aft er fi re ( Garnier and Dajoz, 2001 ;Johnson and Baruch, 2014 ).…”

“…In many cases, this increased burial depth can lead to increased survival aft er fi re ( Garnier and Dajoz, 2001 ;Johnson and Baruch, 2014 ). Additionally, some awns can cling to animal fur or feathers to increase zoonotic dispersal ( Liu et al, 2014 ). Many awns have dense numbers of stomata, leading to high rates of transpiration and, in some species, photosynthesis, which can increase seed mass ( Grundbacher, 1963 ).…”

Seed Dispersal and Germination Traits of 70 Plant Species Inhabiting the Gurbantunggut Desert in Northwest China

“…Hence, seed characteristics of species in this desert are diverse and complex [ 30 ]. Previous studies showed that diaspore mass and shape differed significantly among phylogenetic groups and dispersal syndromes in this desert [ 31 ]. However, germination strategies as well as seed dispersal strategies of species are adaptations to the desert environment, but very little is known about the relationship of seed dispersal and germination strategies in deserts (but see [ 7 ]).…”

Explore the Structural Changes of Nitrogen-fixing Microorganisms of Rhizosheath During the Growth of Stipagrostis Pennata in the Desert

“…Rhizosheath-related microorganisms of desert plants can promote plant growth and enhance stress tolerance, especially nitrogen-fixing related microorganisms (10,11). Stipagrostis pennata (Gramineae) has advantages in effectively resisting long-distance diffusion and occupying the surrounding optimized environment (12). Our previous experimental results show that the strategy of stipagrostis pennata against harsh environment is related to the nitrogen fixation ability of root sheath (13).…”