@article{PAR00021145,
  title = {{V}ariation in seed traits among {M}editerranean oaks in {T}unisia and their ecological significance},
  author = {{A}mimi, {N}. and {D}ussert, {S}t{\'e}phane and {V}aissayre, {V}irginie and {G}houil, {H}. and {D}oulbeau, {S}ylvie and {C}ostantini, {C}arlo and {A}mmari, {Y}. and {J}o{\¨e}t, {T}hierry},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{B}ackground and {A}ims {O}aks are the foundation and dominant tree species of most {M}editerranean forests. {A}s climate models predict dramatic changes in the {M}editerranean basin, a better understanding of the ecophysiology of seed persistence and germination in oaks could help define their regeneration niches. {T}unisian oaks occupy distinct geographical areas, which differ in their rainfall and temperature regimes. and are thus a valuable model to investigate relationships between seed traits and species ecological requirements. {M}ethods {S}eed morphological traits, desiccation sensitivity level, lethal freezing temperature. embryonic axis and cotyledon sugar and lipid composition, and seed and acorn germination rates at various constant temperatures were measured in {Q}uerrus canariensis, {Q}. coccifera, {Q}. ilex and {Q}. suber, using seeds sampled in 22 {T}unisian woodlands. {K}ey {R}esults {O}nly faint differences were observed for desiccation sensitivity in the oak species studied. {B}y contrast, the species differed significantly in sensitivity to freezing, germination rates at low temperature and base temperature. {Q}uerrus ilex and {Q}. canariensis, which occur at high elevations where frost events are frequent, showed the lowest freezing sensitivity. {A} significant correlation was found between hexose contents in the embryonic axis and freezing tolerance. {S}ignificant interspecific differences in the time for seeds to germinate and the time for the radicle to pierce the pericarp were observed. {T}he ratio of pericarp mass to acorn mass differed significantly among the species and was negatively correlated with the acorn germination rate. {Q}uercus coccifera, which is frequent in warm and arid environments, showed the highest acorn germination rate and synchrony. {C}onclusions {S}eed lethal temperature, seed germination time at low temperatures, the ratio of pericarp mass to acorn mass and the embryonic axis hexose content appeared to be key functional traits that may influence the geographical ranges and ecological requirements of {M}editerranean oaks in {T}unisia.},
  keywords = {{D}esiccation-sensitive seeds ; seed functional traits ; germination ; oak acorn ; {Q}uercus canariensis ; {Q}uercus coccifera ; {Q}uercus ilex ; {Q}uercus saber ; recalcitrant seeds ; drought ; freezing tolerance ; {M}editerranean climate ; {TUNISIE} ; {ZONE} {MEDITERRANEENNE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{A}nnals of {B}otany},
  volume = {125},
  numero = {6},
  pages = {891--904},
  ISSN = {0305-7364},
  year = {2020},
  DOI = {10.1093/aob/mcz211},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/{PAR}00021145},
}