| Abstract Detail
Ecology Chen, Yanni [1], Cox, Robert [2], Schwilk, Dylan [3], Johnson, Matthew [4]. Phylogenetic Information in Seed Morphology and Seed Germination for Shortgrass Prairie Species. Seed germination is critical for species survival and colonization of new habitat. Systematically obtaining some insights of seed germination could be beneficial for seeding in wildland restoration and agricultural practice. In this study, we seed germination rate and seed morphological measurements (seed mass and seed surface area) for 19 common shortgrass prairie species. We tested the phylogenetic signal in each seed measurement using Pagel’s lambda and Blomberg’s K. We also applied phylogenetic comparative methods to explore potential patterns between seed germination rate and seed morphological traits. Our results show that seed morphology in shortgrass prairie species contains phylogenetic signal, and seed morphology is weakly correlated with seed germination. These findings support that phenotypic evolution plays a role in shortgrass prairie conservatism. To benefit the shortgrass prairie re-seeding restoration, the phylogenetic analysis of physiological seed traits is expected for future study.
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1 - Texas Tech University, Department of Biological Sciences, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
2 - Texas Tech University, Department of Natural Resources Management, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
3 - Texas Tech University, Biological Sciences, Box 43131, Lubbock, TX, 79409, United States
4 - Texas Tech University, Biological Sciences, 2901 Main Street, Ms3131, Lubbock, TX, 79409, United States
Keywords:
shortgrass prairie
seed germination
seed traits
phylogenetic signal
phylogenetic comparative methods.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: ECO3, Ecology 3: Vegetation, Community and Restoration Ecology
Location: Tucson A/Starr Pass
Date: Tuesday, July 30th, 2019
Time: 4:15 PM
Number: ECO3011
Abstract ID:305
Candidate for Awards:None |
