On the selective advantage of coloniality in staghorn ferns (Platycerium bifurcatum, Polypodiaceae)

Abstract

The staghorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum, Polypodiaceae) is an epiphyte from Australasia that displays many life history characteristics commonly associated with eusocial animals. Here, I hypothesize about the selective advantage of living in cooperative groups by comparing the morphological characteristics of colonies to their solitary congeners.