Epianthropochory in Mexican weed communities.
Am J Bot
; 86(4): 476-81, 1999 Apr.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-10205067
The diaspores of the 50 most important maize field weed species (agrestals) in a traditional maize-growing area of south-central Mexico (region of Puebla and Tlaxcala) were analyzed for morphological adaptations to long-distance dispersal. Adaptations to wind-dispersal were absent and to endozoochory were minimal. Most species had no visible adaptations and are presumably transported with mud. However, about one-quarter of the taxa, particularly the tall and dominant ones, relied at least partially on burrs with hooks or awns. The possible vectors for these exo- or epizoochorous species are discussed: the most likely regular dispersers are humans (epianthropochory). Interviews with farmers confirm this conclusion. Using humans as vectors allows the plant to transport relatively large seeds to favorable habitats (directed dispersal). The importance of this relatively rare dispersal adaptation in Mexican maize field weeds leads to questions on the origin and evolution of these agrestals.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
País/Região como assunto:
Mexico
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Bot
Ano de publicação:
1999
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
México
País de publicação:
Estados Unidos