Biology
Spicing up the Understory: Investigating the Effects of Resource Sinks on Maternal Fitness in Lindera benzoin
Document Type
Poster Presentation
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Start Date
13-4-2018 2:30 PM
End Date
13-4-2018 4:00 PM
Sponsor
Andrew McCall (Denison University)
Description
Resources, time, and energy are limited in the ecological world. As such, organisms must allocate these finite entities in a way that optimizes fitness. Dioecious plants are ideal study candidates to investigate resource allocation patterns. This study monitors characteristics of 157 females of Lindera benzoin (Lauraceae) distrusted across 8 localities in 3 regions oriented on a north-south transect across Ohio. Using 2016 and 2017 data, we related herbivory to vegetative growth and reproductive output. Fruiting decreased significantly going southward in the state. In addition, a multiple regression indicated that 2017 basal diameter and 2016 herbivory were significant predictors of 2017 fruiting intensity. Larger individuals likely have more resources to contribute to reproduction. In addition, high herbivory in 2016 may have functioned as a resource sink that drove a decreased fruiting output the subsequent year. Individuals likely prioritize repair of vegetative tissue over fruiting, and larger individuals may be less affected by losses in leaf tissue. Additional research is necessary to further elucidate resource trade-offs in this species.
Spicing up the Understory: Investigating the Effects of Resource Sinks on Maternal Fitness in Lindera benzoin
Indianapolis, IN
Resources, time, and energy are limited in the ecological world. As such, organisms must allocate these finite entities in a way that optimizes fitness. Dioecious plants are ideal study candidates to investigate resource allocation patterns. This study monitors characteristics of 157 females of Lindera benzoin (Lauraceae) distrusted across 8 localities in 3 regions oriented on a north-south transect across Ohio. Using 2016 and 2017 data, we related herbivory to vegetative growth and reproductive output. Fruiting decreased significantly going southward in the state. In addition, a multiple regression indicated that 2017 basal diameter and 2016 herbivory were significant predictors of 2017 fruiting intensity. Larger individuals likely have more resources to contribute to reproduction. In addition, high herbivory in 2016 may have functioned as a resource sink that drove a decreased fruiting output the subsequent year. Individuals likely prioritize repair of vegetative tissue over fruiting, and larger individuals may be less affected by losses in leaf tissue. Additional research is necessary to further elucidate resource trade-offs in this species.