The role of spines in anthropogenic seed dispersal on the Galapagos Islands.

ABSTRACT: Dispersal has important ecological and evolutionary consequences for populations, but understanding the role of specific traits in dispersal can be difficult and requires careful experimentation. Moreover, understanding how humans alter dispersal is an important question, especially on oceanic islands where anthropogenic disturbance through species introductions can dramatically alter native ecosystems.In this study, we investigated the functional role of spines in seed dispersal of the plant caltrop (Tribulus cistoides L., Zygophyllaceae) by anthropogenic dispersal agents. We also tested whether humans or wildlife are more important seed dispersers of T. cistoides on the Galápagos. Tribulus cistoides is found on tropical mainland and oceanic island habitats. The dispe

SUBMITTER: Johnson MKA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7029089 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature