The evolution of fruit scent: phylogenetic and developmental constraints.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fruit scent is increasingly recognized as an evolved signal whose function is to attract animal seed dispersers and facilitate plant reproduction. However, like all traits, fruit scent is likely to evolve in response to conflicting selective pressures and various constraints. Two major constraints are (i) phylogenetic constraints, in which traits are inherited from ancestors rather than adapted to current conditions and (ii) developmental constraints, if phenotypes are limited by the expression of other traits within the individual. We tested whether phylogenetic constraints play a role in fruit scent evolution by calculating the phylogenetic signal in ripe fruits of 98 species from three study sites. We then estimated the importance of developmental constraints by exami

SUBMITTER: Nevo O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7590443 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature