Zotz & Vollrath 2002 (Article) Guzmania, Werauhia, Tillandsia

Substrate preferences of epiphytic bromeliads: an experimental approach

Author(s):—G. Zotz & B. Vollrath

Publication:—Acta Oecologica 28: 306–312. (2005)

Abstract:—Based on the known vertical distributions of three epiphyte species we tested the hypothesis that observed interspecific differences are determined at a very early ontogenetic stage. We attached 1296 first-year seedlings of the three species Guzmania monostachya, Tillandsia fasciculata, and Vriesea sanguinolenta (Bromeliaceae) to substrates differing in orientation and relative position within the crown of the host tree, Annona glabra. Surprisingly, we found no evidence for differential mortality on different substrate types for any of the three species. Hence, differences in vertical distribution cannot be explained by interspecific differences in site-specific survival at this stage. This suggests that spatial distribution patterns are determined even earlier, probably resulting from species differences in seed dispersal or during germination. © 2002 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved

Keywords:—Barro Colorado Island; Seedling ecology; Survival; Tropical moist forest; Vascular epiphytes