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Dual Function of the Elaiosome of Corydalis aurea (Fumariaceae): Attraction of Dispersal Agents and Repulsion of Peromyscus maniculatus, a Seed Predator

1985; Wiley; Volume: 72; Issue: 11 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2307/2443727

1537-2197

Frances M. Hanzawa, Andrew J. Beattie, Anne Holmes,

Genetic and Environmental Crop Studies

American Journal of BotanyVolume 72, Issue 11 p. 1707-1711 Article DUAL FUNCTION OF THE ELAIOSOME OF CORYDALIS AUREA (FUMARIACEAE): ATTRACTION OF DISPERSAL AGENTS AND REPULSION OF PEROMYSCUS MANICULATUS, A SEED PREDATOR Frances M. Hanzawa, Frances M. Hanzawa Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60201 Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Crested Butte, Colorado, 81224Search for more papers by this authorAndrew J. Beattie, Andrew J. Beattie Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60201 Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Crested Butte, Colorado, 81224Search for more papers by this authorAnne Holmes, Anne Holmes Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60201 Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Crested Butte, Colorado, 81224Search for more papers by this author Frances M. Hanzawa, Frances M. Hanzawa Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60201 Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Crested Butte, Colorado, 81224Search for more papers by this authorAndrew J. Beattie, Andrew J. Beattie Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60201 Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Crested Butte, Colorado, 81224Search for more papers by this authorAnne Holmes, Anne Holmes Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60201 Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Crested Butte, Colorado, 81224Search for more papers by this author First published: 01 November 1985 https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1537-2197.1985.tb08442.xCitations: 12AboutPDF 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 It has been suggested that one of the selective advantages of ant dispersal is the burial of seeds in ant nests where predators such as small rodents cannot find them. The elaiosomes of Corydalis aurea (Fumariaceae) are extremely attractive to ants, which assiduously gather the seeds and take them to nests. However, seed production commonly exceeds the gathering capacity of ants so that seeds accumulate beneath the parent plants. In spite of this, no signs of rodent predation are evident. Experiments with a major seed predator, the deer mouse Peromyscus maniculatus, show that when given the choice of seeds with and without elaiosomes, the mice consume significantly more seeds without elaiosomes. This remains true whether or not the intact seeds bear fresh, moist elaiosomes or dry, withered ones. Our experiments strongly suggest that the elaiosome has a dual function, the attraction of the ant seed dispersers and the repulsion of seed predators. Citing Literature Volume72, Issue11November 1985Pages 1707-1711 RelatedInformation