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Population Density and Module Demography in Trapa natans (Trapaceae), an Annual, Clonal Aquatic Macrophyte

1996; Wiley; Volume: 83; Issue: 11 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2307/2446095

1537-2197

Anne T. Groth, Lesley Lovett‐Doust, Jon Lovett‐Doust,

Freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology

American Journal of BotanyVolume 83, Issue 11 p. 1406-1415 Article Population density and module demography in Trapa natans (Trapaceae), an annual, clonal aquatic macrophyte Anne T. Groth, Anne T. Groth Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4 CanadaSearch for more papers by this authorLesley Lovett-Doust, Lesley Lovett-Doust Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4 CanadaSearch for more papers by this authorJon Lovett-Doust, Jon Lovett-Doust Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4 CanadaSearch for more papers by this author Anne T. Groth, Anne T. Groth Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4 CanadaSearch for more papers by this authorLesley Lovett-Doust, Lesley Lovett-Doust Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4 CanadaSearch for more papers by this authorJon Lovett-Doust, Jon Lovett-Doust Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4 CanadaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 November 1996 https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1537-2197.1996.tb13934.xCitations: 20 Author for correspondence. AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract The effects of population density on module demography were studied in Trapa natans L., an annual aquatic macrophyte capable of extensive clonal propagation. At low density, the floating plants produced ten times as many ramets (clonal offshoots) as those at high density. Module mortality occurred at three levels: leaf, ramet (shoot), and genet (genetic individual). There was 100-fold variation in the size of nuts containing germinable seeds. In early summer there was a highly significant linear relationship between dry mass of nuts and the total mass of ramets that each had produced. In early summer most (73–83%) of the variation in total plant biomass was attributable to variation in initial nut size. However the significance of initial nut size was diminished later in the season. The great success of the exotic weed T. natans at colonizing and monopolizing an aquatic habitat is a function of its highly productive clonal growth response to low-density conditions, combined with greater proportional allocation of biomass to reproductive structures, resulting in greatly increased nut production at low initial density. The species appears able to develop and maintain a population at extremely high density: plant buoyancy and the production of large, well-protected nuts allow rapid early growth from the sediment each year and early pre-emption of the water surface. Citing Literature Volume83, Issue11November 1996Pages 1406-1415 RelatedInformation