Exceptional desiccation resistance in recalcitrant seeds of Brosimum alicastrum may confer ecological advantage.

ABSTRACT:

Main conclusion

The recalcitrant seeds of Brosimum alicastrum, a widespread tropical tree, have an exceptional ability to resist desiccation, which we propose has contributed to the dominance of the species across a broad precipitation gradient in forests of Latin America. Seed desiccation sensitivity is relatively common in tree species of tropical rain forests. For such species, pre-germination survival may be as important as seedling establishment in determining reproductive success, yet the adaptive traits important for survival are poorly understood. We studied seeds of Brosimum alicastrum Sw., a dominant tree species across a very broad precipitation gradient in Central America. This ecological success seems counterintuitive to the putative presence of seed desiccation sensit

SUBMITTER: Colville L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12764665 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature