Sampaio et al. 2010 (Article) Vriesea

Seed dispersal and population structure in Vriesea gigantea, a bromeliad from the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest

Author(s):—J. Sampaio, M. Bruxel, C. Zanella, Go, #776, M. etze, C. Palma-Silva, Bu, #776, M. ttow, G. Paggi, C. Palma & F. Bered

Publication:—Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 164: 317–325. (2010) — DOI

Abstract:—Seed dispersal, population structure and the mating system of plant species can have great consequences on thegenetic structure of populations. Vriesea gigantea is a bromeliad from southeastern Brazil which is self-compatibleand pollinator dependent for fruit set. Its populations are fertile in terms of the production of flowers, pollen, fruitsand seeds. To assess the importance of seed supply for gene flow, colonization and distribution of adult individuals,the seed dispersal and population structure of V. gigantea were studied. Seeds are dispersed over short distances;most seeds land close to the mother plant. This pattern coincides with the reported aggregate distribution of bromeliad seedlings. Population structure results showed high seedling recruitment, because 51.3% developed intoadults, although few juveniles reached this stage. This result is different from that for other bromeliad species fromdifferent habitat conditions. Seed dispersal and population structural patterns are consistent with previousmolecular studies, revealing that V. gigantea populations are genetically structured, with low gene flow and amoderate outcrossing rate

Keywords:—Bromeliaceae – conservation – epiphytes – gene flow – genetic structure –mating system – seed recruitment – Tillandsioideae