The fruit morphometric variation and fruit type evolution of the stone oaks (Fagaceae, Lithocarpus).

ABSTRACT:

Background

The great species diversity of Lithocarpus is associated with interspecific fruit morphological variation, represented by acorn (AC) and enclosed receptacle (ER) fruit types. Species representing both fruit types co-occur in the same forests and share two distribution centers in southern China and southeastern Asia. The predation selection hypothesis suggests that the fruit morphological mechanical trade-off between two fruit types could represent divergent dispersal strategies under varied predation pressures. By integrating phylogenetic construction with fruit morphometric study, we tried to verify the predation selection hypothesis and elucidate the fruit type evolution of Lithocarpus, which is critical in interpreting the distribution and diversification of the genus

SUBMITTER: Chen X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10148511 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature