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Dispersal mechanisms in Lavandula stoechas subsp. pedunculata: autochory and endozoochory by sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2007

Ana M. Sánchez  and
Begoña Peco
Ana M. Sánchez
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus Cantoblanco Madrid 28049 Spain
Begoña Peco*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus Cantoblanco Madrid 28049 Spain
*
*Correspondence Fax: +34–91–3978001 Email: begonna.peco@uam.es
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Abstract

It is normally assumed that Lavandula stoechas subsp. pedunculata (Miller) Samp. ex Rozeira (Labiatae) is dispersed by autochory in spite of the clear pioneer nature of the species. This paper examines the efficiency of autochorous dispersal (seed rain) and the possibility that the species is also dispersed endozoochorally by sheep. Seed rain was measured using pitfall traps and adhesive strips in summer 1999. The viable seed content in sheep dung was measured by greenhouse germination of dung collected monthly in the summers of 1998 and 1999. Two experimental tests were also conducted to ascertain whether dung-borne seeds could be established under field conditions and to evaluate the effect of added dung in the establishment of seeds taken from plants. The recorded seed rain was 2544 seeds m-2 inside the Lavandula patches, with an aggregated distribution. Autochory around the mother plant fitted a negative exponential distribution, with 90.5% concentrated in a 0–30 cm radius and a maximum distance of 1 m. Viable Lavandula seeds were found in 73% of the examined dung samples, with an average of 5.5 seeds per sample (6 g) and a high inter- and intra-annual variation. This high seed content, together with the daily sheep movements over several kilometres, make the species highly dispersible, possibly explaining its clear pioneer nature. Moreover, available data suggest that seeds in sheep dung can germinate and establish under natural conditions, and that dung addition has a positive effect on species establishment.

Keywords

autochoryendozoochoryLavandula stoechas subsp. pedunculataMediterranean shrublandsheepSpain
Type
Research Article
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 12 , Issue 2 , June 2002 , pp. 101 - 111
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2002

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