@article{fdi:010095850,
  title = {{C}omparative seed physiological ecology in {C}offea species highlights variation in germination strategies associated with climate and phylogeny},
  author = {{B}aschenis, {N}athan and {D}ussert, {S}t{\'e}phane and {S}eguin, {M}. and {L}ashermes, {P}hilippe and {J}o{\¨e}t, {T}hierry},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{B}ackground and {A}ims {S}eed functional traits are poorly understood in species of tropical origin with endospermic or desiccation-sensitive seeds. {S}pecies of the genus {C}offea have colonized a broad range of forest habitats of {A}frica and {I}ndian {O}cean islands, from seasonally dry savannah woodlands to permanently humid evergreen forests. {A}ll {C}offea species produce albuminous seeds, most of which are desiccation-sensitive, thereby offering a valuable model to identify adaptive seed traits in this understudied category of plants.{M}ethods {S}everal morphological traits (tissue masses and mass ratios, embryo depth inside the endosperm) and physiological traits (desiccation tolerance, germination and seedling establishment kinetics) were measured in 28 {C}offea species, and associations with bioclimatic variables and phylogeny were investigated.{K}ey {R}esults {T}he time required for seed germination was influenced by both the thickness of the micropylar endosperm and the relative mass of the endocarp to the seed. {T}he time from germination to the unfolding of cotyledonary leaves was correlated with the endosperm mass. {F}inally, the time for seedling establishment, seed germination and drying sensitivity were positively associated with rain variables, suggesting that these physiological traits were driven by adaptation to seasonal water stress. {S}ignificant phylogenetic signal was detected for most seed traits with the exception of seed desiccation sensitivity, germination time and embryo depth inside the endosperm, which appeared to be evolutionarily labile, i.e. highly divergent between phylogenetically closely related species that occur in contrasted habitats.{C}onclusions {T}he present study highlights the spectrum of coordinated seed traits shaped by phylogeny and/or ecological adaptation among {C}offea species. {T}his is illustrated by the co-option of several characteristics (small, thinly endocarp-coated, desiccation-tolerant and fast-germinating seeds) that enable fast seedling establishment and may confer an ecological advantage in the studied species of the {E}ast {A}frica clade that occur in seasonally dry habitats.},
  keywords = {{C}offea ; coffee ; endosperm ; germination ; seed functional traits ; seedling ; establishment ; desiccation tolerance ; tropical forest},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{A}nnals of {B}otany},
  volume = {137},
  numero = {3},
  pages = {789--803},
  ISSN = {0305-7364},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1093/aob/mcaf291},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010095850},
}