Function, Ecology and Evolution of Seed Size in Hakea (Proteaceae)

Abstract

This study investigated function, ecology and evolution of variation in seed size in Hakea (Proteaceae). I first revealed that the evolution of seed size is phylogenetically constrained. Using a series of glasshouse experiments, I further demonstrated that small-seeded Hakea species gain fitness advantage in environment with dry summer through rapid germination, early seedling emergence, and early true leaves emergence; small-seeded Hakea species are also better to tolerate herbivore predation than large-seeded congeners.