Identifying fruit traits that are predictors of predispersal seed predation in Ruellia humilis

Abstract

            As predispersal seed predators can significantly reduce seed recruitment and population growth rates (reviewed in Kolb et al. 2007), it is important to identify plant morphological traits related to seed predator attack. Using the model species Ruellia humilis, quantified fruit morphological traits and incidence of attack by the specialist seed predator, Tripudia rectangula.  We found that fruit length was a significant predictor of seed predator attack. Future work should examine whether T. rectangula acts as a selective agent on R. humilis fruit morphology.