Substrate Restriction in Entomophilous Splachnaceae: Role of Spore Dispersal
Cameron RG and Wyatt R. 1986. Substrate Restriction in Entomophilous Splachnaceae: Role of Spore Dispersal. The Bryologist. 89(4):279-284
Insect-mediated spore dispersal was quantified for Splachnum ampullaceum, S. rubrum, S. sphaericum, S. vasculosum, and Teraplodon mnioides. Dipterans from the genera Scatophaga (Scatophagidae), Delia (Anthomyidae), Myospila (Muscidae), and Pyrellia (Muscidae) visited colonies and contacted sporophytes. Scatophagids, the most frequent and effective visitors, benefited from a possible increase in copulatory success as a result of visiting these plants. Measurements indicated that wind is not an effective agent of spore dispersal in S. rubrum. Consequently, spore dispersal adaptations and insect behavior are major factors restricting colonies of these mosses to organic substrates. Field sites for these studies were located in Isle Royale National Park, Michigan and Peters Lake, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Cameron, Randall; Wyatt, Robert
- Units
- ISRO
- Keywords
- Adaptation, Dispersion, mosses(musci), Plant Studies, Splachnum ampullaceum), Splachnum rubrum), Splachnum sphaericum), Splachnum vasculosum), Teraplodon mniodes)