Neighborhood Density And Genetic Relatedness Interact To Determine Fruit Set And Abortion Rates In A Continuous Tropical Tree Population

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 20 Aug 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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We investigated the role of neighborhood density and genetic relatedness on individual fruit set and abortion in the Neotropical tree Jacaranda copaia in a large forest plot in central Panama.

Using nested neighborhood models, we found a strong positive effect of increased conspecific density on fruit set and maturation.

However, high neighborhood genetic relatedness interacted with density to reduce total fruit set and increase the proportion of aborted fruit.

Our results imply a fitness advantage for individuals growing in high densities as measured by fruit set, but realized fruit set is lowered by increased neighborhood relatedness.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

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