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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

The Spatial Signature Of Biotic Interactions Of A Clonal And A Non-Clonal Palmetto In A Subtropical Plant Community, Mizuki Takahashi, Toshiro Kubota, Liana Horner, Nathan Keller, Warren Abrahamson Jun 2012

The Spatial Signature Of Biotic Interactions Of A Clonal And A Non-Clonal Palmetto In A Subtropical Plant Community, Mizuki Takahashi, Toshiro Kubota, Liana Horner, Nathan Keller, Warren Abrahamson

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

Spatial analyses of plant-distribution patterns can provide inferences about intra- and interspecific biotic interactions. Yet, such analyses are rare for clonal plants because effective tools (i.e., molecular markers) needed to map naturally occurring clonal individuals have only become available recently. Clonal plants are unique in that a single genotype has a potential to spatially place new individuals (i.e., ramets) in response to intra- and interspecific biotic interactions. Laboratory and greenhouse studies suggest that some clonal plants can avoid intra-genet, inter-genet, and inter-specific competition via rootplacement patterns. An intriguing and yet to be explored question is whether a spatial signature of …


Extensive Clonal Spread And Extreme Longevity In Saw Palmetto, A Foundation Clonal Plant, Mizuki K. Takahashi, Liana M. Horner, Toshiro Kubota, Nathan A. Keller, Warren G. Abrahamson Ii Aug 2011

Extensive Clonal Spread And Extreme Longevity In Saw Palmetto, A Foundation Clonal Plant, Mizuki K. Takahashi, Liana M. Horner, Toshiro Kubota, Nathan A. Keller, Warren G. Abrahamson Ii

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

The lack of effective tools has hampered our ability to assess the size, growth and ages of clonal plants. With Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) as a model, we introduce a novel analytical frame work that integrates DNA fingerprinting and mathematical modelling to simulate growth and estimate ages of clonal plants. We also demonstrate the application of such life-history information of clonal plants to provide insight into management plans. Serenoa is an ecologically important foundation species in many Southeastern United States ecosystems; yet, many land managers consider Serenoa a troublesome invasive plant. Accordingly, management plans have been developed to reduce or …


Genetic Variation For Susceptibility To Storm-Induced Stem Breakage In Solidago Altissima: The Role Of Stem Height And Morphology, M. Wise, W. Abrahamson Dec 2009

Genetic Variation For Susceptibility To Storm-Induced Stem Breakage In Solidago Altissima: The Role Of Stem Height And Morphology, M. Wise, W. Abrahamson

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

While storms can have obvious ecological impacts on plants, plants’ potential to respond evolutionarily to selection for increased resistance to storm damage has received little study. We took advantage of a thunderstorm with strong wind and hail to examine genetic variation for resistance to stem breakage in the herbaceous perennial Solidago altissima. The storm broke the apex of nearly 10% of 1883 marked ramets in a common-garden plot containing 26 genets of S. altissima. Plant genets varied 20-fold in resistance to breakage. Stem height was strongly correlated with resistance to breakage, with taller stems being significantly more susceptible. A stem’s …


Spatiotemporal Variation Of Fruit Digestible-Nutrient Production In Florida's Uplands, J. Layne, W. Abrahamson Dec 2009

Spatiotemporal Variation Of Fruit Digestible-Nutrient Production In Florida's Uplands, J. Layne, W. Abrahamson

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

We examined annual total digestible nutrient (TDN) production by fruits of eight species (Quercus chapmanii, Q. geminata, Q. inopina, Q. laevis, Q. myrtifolia, Carya floridana, Sabal etonia, Serenoa repens) that account for the major proportion of TDN production by fruits and seeds in Florida’s xeric upland associations (southern ridge sandhill, sand pine scrub, scrubby flatwoods). Mean annual fruit TDN of all species combined over a 27-year span in sandhill and scrub and 24 years in scrubby flatwoods was highest (45.4 kg/ha) in sandhill, intermediate in scrubby flatwoods (28.8 kg/ha), and lowest in scrub (14.2 kg/ha). Sandhill fruit TDN production was …


Ducking As The Means Of Resistance In "Candy-Cane" Stems Of Goldenrod: Straightened Stems Lose Their Edge, M. J. Wise, W. G. Abrahamson, J. A. Cole Dec 2009

Ducking As The Means Of Resistance In "Candy-Cane" Stems Of Goldenrod: Straightened Stems Lose Their Edge, M. J. Wise, W. G. Abrahamson, J. A. Cole

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

Herbivores are among the most pervasive selective forces acting on plants, and the number of plant chemicals that presumably evolved for defense against herbivory is immense. In contrast, biologists are only beginning to appreciate the important roles that architectural traits can play in antiherbivore defense. One putative architectural-resistance trait is the nodding stem apex of some goldenrods (Solidago ; Asteraceae). Individuals of S. altissima genets that undergo temporary nodding in the late spring (i.e., “candy-cane ramets) have been shown to be more resistant than individuals of erect-stemmed genets to certain apex-attacking” herbivores. We tested the hypothesis that the greater resistance …


Life In The Slow Lane: Palmetto Seedlings Exhibit Remarkable Survival But Slow Growth In Florida's Nutrient-Poor Uplands, W. G. Abrahamson, C. R. Abrahamson Dec 2008

Life In The Slow Lane: Palmetto Seedlings Exhibit Remarkable Survival But Slow Growth In Florida's Nutrient-Poor Uplands, W. G. Abrahamson, C. R. Abrahamson

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

The palmettos Serenoa repens and Sabal etonia are crucial foundation species in many peninsular Florida vegetative associations. We monitored the survival and growth of individual palmetto seedlings using two cohorts found in different vegetative associations. Seedling cohorts containing both S. repens and S. etonia were individually tagged in 1989 and have been monitored until 2008, a period of 19 years. One cohort (N = 100 seedlings) occurs in a xeric, “inopina-phase” scrubby flatwoods and a second cohort (N =78 seedlings) lives in a well-drained, “wiregrass-phase” flatwoods. The soils at both sites are very nutrient-poor Entisols that show rapid permeability, low …


Associational Resistance, Gall-Fly Preferences, And A Stem Dimorphism In Solidago Altissima, M. J. Wise, C. G. Yi, W. G. Abrahamson Dec 2008

Associational Resistance, Gall-Fly Preferences, And A Stem Dimorphism In Solidago Altissima, M. J. Wise, C. G. Yi, W. G. Abrahamson

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Nutrient Stress And Gall Flies Interact To Affect Floral-Sex Ratio In Gynomonoecious Solidago Altissima (Asteraceae), Warren Abrahamson, M.J. Wise, L.E. Coffey Dec 2007

Nutrient Stress And Gall Flies Interact To Affect Floral-Sex Ratio In Gynomonoecious Solidago Altissima (Asteraceae), Warren Abrahamson, M.J. Wise, L.E. Coffey

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Good Mothers, Bad Mothers, And Resistance To Herbivory In Solidago Altissima, Warren Abrahamson, M.J. Wise, J.M. Partelow, K.J. Everson, M.K. Anselmo Dec 2007

Good Mothers, Bad Mothers, And Resistance To Herbivory In Solidago Altissima, Warren Abrahamson, M.J. Wise, J.M. Partelow, K.J. Everson, M.K. Anselmo

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Applying The Limiting Resource Model To Plant Tolerance Of Apical Meristem Damage, Warren Abrahamson, M.J. Wise Dec 2007

Applying The Limiting Resource Model To Plant Tolerance Of Apical Meristem Damage, Warren Abrahamson, M.J. Wise

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Ducking As A Means Of Resistance To Herbivory In Tall Goldenrod, Solidago Altissima, Warren Abrahamson, M.J. Wise Dec 2007

Ducking As A Means Of Resistance To Herbivory In Tall Goldenrod, Solidago Altissima, Warren Abrahamson, M.J. Wise

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Testing The Nutrition Hypothesis For The Adaptive Nature Of Insect Galls: Does A Non-Adapted Herbivore Perform Better In Galls?, Warren Abrahamson, S.E. Diamond, C.P. Blair Dec 2007

Testing The Nutrition Hypothesis For The Adaptive Nature Of Insect Galls: Does A Non-Adapted Herbivore Perform Better In Galls?, Warren Abrahamson, S.E. Diamond, C.P. Blair

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Plant And Pollinator Diversity In Northern Arizona, Warren Abrahamson, L.E. Stevens, T.L. Griswold, O. Messenger, T.J. Ayers Dec 2006

Plant And Pollinator Diversity In Northern Arizona, Warren Abrahamson, L.E. Stevens, T.L. Griswold, O. Messenger, T.J. Ayers

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Leaf Traits And Leaf Life Spans Of Two Xeric-Adapted Palmettos, Warren Abrahamson Dec 2006

Leaf Traits And Leaf Life Spans Of Two Xeric-Adapted Palmettos, Warren Abrahamson

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

Plants of nutrient-poor, arid environments often have leaf traits that include small size, sclerophylly, long life span, low nutrient concentration, and low photosynthetic rate. Hence, the success of two large-leaved palmettos in peninsular Florida’s seasonally xeric, nutrient-impoverished uplands seems anomalous, given that their leaves are orders of magnitude larger than the leaves of co-occurring species. An examination of leaf traits and leaf life spans across four vegetative associations differing in available light using a 16-yr data set showed that leaves of Serenoa repens and Sabal etonia had low rates of leaf production coupled with long leaf life spans reaching 3.5 …


Effects Of Resource Availability On Tolerance Of Herbivory: A Review And Assessment Of Three Opposing Models, Warren Abrahamson, M.J. Wise Dec 2006

Effects Of Resource Availability On Tolerance Of Herbivory: A Review And Assessment Of Three Opposing Models, Warren Abrahamson, M.J. Wise

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Purple Loosestrife On The Susquehanna River’S West Branch: Distribution And Environmental Correlates, E. Ketterer, Warren Abrahamson Dec 2005

Purple Loosestrife On The Susquehanna River’S West Branch: Distribution And Environmental Correlates, E. Ketterer, Warren Abrahamson

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Disarming The Paradox Of Sublethal-Plant Defense Against Insects: Trirhabda Virgata Larval Development Time And Leaf Tissue Loss On Solidago Altissima, Warren Abrahamson, M.J. Wise, R.J. Fox Dec 2005

Disarming The Paradox Of Sublethal-Plant Defense Against Insects: Trirhabda Virgata Larval Development Time And Leaf Tissue Loss On Solidago Altissima, Warren Abrahamson, M.J. Wise, R.J. Fox

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Edaphic Environment, Gall Midges, And Goldenrod Clonal Expansion In A Mid-Successional Old Field, Warren Abrahamson, M.J. Wise, K. Landis Dec 2005

Edaphic Environment, Gall Midges, And Goldenrod Clonal Expansion In A Mid-Successional Old Field, Warren Abrahamson, M.J. Wise, K. Landis

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Post-Fire Canopy Recovery In Two Fire-Adapted Palms, Serenoa Repens And Sabal Etonia (Arecaceae), Warren Abrahamson, C.R. Abrahamson Dec 2005

Post-Fire Canopy Recovery In Two Fire-Adapted Palms, Serenoa Repens And Sabal Etonia (Arecaceae), Warren Abrahamson, C.R. Abrahamson

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Scrub Hickory: A Florida Endemic, Warren Abrahamson, J.N. Layne Dec 2005

Scrub Hickory: A Florida Endemic, Warren Abrahamson, J.N. Layne

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Ecological Divergence Among Five Co-Occurring Species Of Old-Field Goldenrods, Warren Abrahamson, K. Ball Dobley Dec 2004

Ecological Divergence Among Five Co-Occurring Species Of Old-Field Goldenrods, Warren Abrahamson, K. Ball Dobley

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Long-Term Trends In Annual Reproductive Output Of The Scrub Hickory: Factors Influencing Variation In Size Of Nut Crop, Warren Abrahamson, J.N. Lane Dec 2003

Long-Term Trends In Annual Reproductive Output Of The Scrub Hickory: Factors Influencing Variation In Size Of Nut Crop, Warren Abrahamson, J.N. Lane

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Classification And Successional Changes Of Mixed-Oak Forests At The Mohn Mill Area, Pennsylvania, Warren G. Abrahamson Ii, A.C. Gohn Dec 2003

Classification And Successional Changes Of Mixed-Oak Forests At The Mohn Mill Area, Pennsylvania, Warren G. Abrahamson Ii, A.C. Gohn

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Using Gall Wasps On Oaks To Test Broad Ecological Concepts, P.W. Price, Warren G. Abrahamson Ii, M.D. Hunter, G. Melika Dec 2003

Using Gall Wasps On Oaks To Test Broad Ecological Concepts, P.W. Price, Warren G. Abrahamson Ii, M.D. Hunter, G. Melika

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

Planning conservation of insect herbivores requires knowing what needs to be conserved and developing a set of predictor variables that aid management. We conducted a state-wide survey to examine the species richness of gall wasps ( Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) on six oak species dominant in the threatened scrub-oak vegetation in peninsular Florida. Eighty-eight cynipid species were recorded; 23 were new species to Florida (a 35% increase), including 17 species new to science and 6 species newly recorded in the state. The cynipid species represented 68% of cynipids of Florida, on only 24% of oak species sampled. This fauna represents a hotspot …


Cynipid Gall-Wasp Communities Correlate With Oak Chemistry, Warren Abrahamson, M.D. Hunter, G. Melika, P.W. Price Dec 2002

Cynipid Gall-Wasp Communities Correlate With Oak Chemistry, Warren Abrahamson, M.D. Hunter, G. Melika, P.W. Price

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Long-Term Patterns Of Acorn Production For Five Oak Species In Xeric Florida Uplands, Warren G. Abrahamson Ii, J.N. Layne Dec 2002

Long-Term Patterns Of Acorn Production For Five Oak Species In Xeric Florida Uplands, Warren G. Abrahamson Ii, J.N. Layne

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Forest Composition, Spatial Pattern, And Size Structure Of The Snyder-Middleswarth Natural Area Old-Growth, Snyder County, Pennsylvania, P.P. Zawadzkas, Warren G. Abrahamson Ii Dec 2002

Forest Composition, Spatial Pattern, And Size Structure Of The Snyder-Middleswarth Natural Area Old-Growth, Snyder County, Pennsylvania, P.P. Zawadzkas, Warren G. Abrahamson Ii

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Stem Turnover In The Clonal Scrub Oak, Quercus Inopina, Warren Abrahamson, A.F. Johnson Dec 2001

Stem Turnover In The Clonal Scrub Oak, Quercus Inopina, Warren Abrahamson, A.F. Johnson

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Relation Of Ramet Size To Acorn Production In Five Oak Species Of Xeric Upland Habitats In South-Central Florida, Warren Abrahamson, J.N. Layne Dec 2001

Relation Of Ramet Size To Acorn Production In Five Oak Species Of Xeric Upland Habitats In South-Central Florida, Warren Abrahamson, J.N. Layne

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.


Persistent Palmettos: Effects Of The 2000-2001 Drought On Serenoa Repens And Sabal Etonia, Warren Abrahamson, C.R. Abrahamson Dec 2001

Persistent Palmettos: Effects Of The 2000-2001 Drought On Serenoa Repens And Sabal Etonia, Warren Abrahamson, C.R. Abrahamson

Warren G. Abrahamson, II

No abstract provided.