A novel adaptation facilitates seed establishment under marine turbulent flows
Kendrick, G.A.; Pomeroy, A.W.; Orth, R.J.; Cambridge, M.L.; Shaw, J.; Kotula, L.; Lowe, R.J. (2019). A novel adaptation facilitates seed establishment under marine turbulent flows. NPG Scientific Reports 9(1): 19693. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-56202-7
In: Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group). Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 2045-2322; e-ISSN 2045-2322, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Kendrick, G.A.
- Pomeroy, A.W.
- Orth, R.J.
- Cambridge, M.L.
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- Shaw, J.
- Kotula, L.
- Lowe, R.J.
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| Abstract |
Seeds of Australian species of the seagrass genus Posidonia are covered by a membranous wing that we hypothesize plays a fundamental role in seed establishment in sandy, wave swept marine environments. Dimensions of the seed and membrane were quantified under electron microscopy and micro-CT scans, and used to model rotational, drag and lift forces. Seeds maintain contact with the seabed in the presence of strong turbulence: the larger the wing, the more stable the seed. Wing surface area increases from P. sinuosa < P. australis < P.coriacea correlating with their ability to establish in increasingly energetic environments. This unique seed trait in a marine angiosperm corresponds to adaptive pressures imposed on seagrass species along 7,500 km of Australia’s coastline, from open, high energy coasts to calmer environments in bays and estuaries. |
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