Cones structure and seed traits of four species of large-seeded pines: adaptation to animal-mediated dispersal

Seed dispersal selection pressures may cause morphological differences in cone structure and seed traits of large-seeded pine trees. We investigated the cone, seed, and scale traits of four species of animal-dispersed pine trees to explore the adaptations of morphological structures to different dispersers. The four focal pines analyzed in this study were Chinese white pine (Pinus armandi), Korean pine (P. koraiensis), Siberian dwarf pine (P. pumila), and Dabieshan white pine (P. dabeshanensis). There are significant differences in the traits of the cones and seeds of these four animal-dispersed pines. The scales of Korean pine and Siberian dwarf pine are somewhat opened after cone maturity, the seeds are closely combined with scales, and the seed coat and scales are thick. The cones of Chinese white pine and Dabieshan white pine are open after ripening, the seeds fall easily from the cones, and the seed coat and seed scales are relatively thin. The results showed that the cone structur...种子传播的选择压力可导致大粒松属植物的球果结构与种子性状产生形态差异。本研究以4种以动物为传播媒介的松属植物为对象，测定其球果、种子及种鳞性状，旨在探究其形态结构对不同传播者的适应性。本研究分析的4种目标松属植物分别为华山松（Pinus armandi）、红松（P. koraiensis）、西伯利亚偃松（P. pumila）以及大别山五针松（P. dabeshanensis）。上述4种动物传播松的球果与种子性状存在显著差异。红松与西伯利亚偃松的球果成熟后，种鳞略微开裂，种子与种鳞紧密结合，种皮及种鳞较厚。华山松与大别山五针松的球果成熟后开裂，种子极易从球果中脱落，种皮及种鳞相对较薄。研究结果表明，球果结构...