Cones structure and seed traits of four species of large-seeded pines: Adaptation to animal-mediated dispersal.

ABSTRACT: Seed dispersal selection pressures may cause morphological differences in cone structure and seed traits of large-seeded pine trees. We investigated the cone, seed, and scale traits of four species of animal-dispersed pine trees to explore the adaptations of morphological structures to different dispersers. The four focal pines analyzed in this study were Chinese white pine (Pinus armandi), Korean pine (P. koraiensis), Siberian dwarf pine (P. pumila), and Dabieshan white pine (P. dabeshanensis). There are significant differences in the traits of the cones and seeds of these four animal-dispersed pines. The scales of Korean pine and Siberian dwarf pine are somewhat opened after cone maturity, the seeds are closely combined with scales, and the seed coat and scale

SUBMITTER: Zhang MY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7319130 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature