Seed dispersal systems in the New Zealand flora

Abstract

Knowledge of the dispersal mechanisms used by plants is important in phylogenetic, ecological, biogeographical, and conservation studies. Here we attempt to assign dispersal mechanisms to the entire flora-2595 plant species of the New Zealand Botanical Region. Anemochory is the most frequent dispersal mechanism, utilised by 79% of species. The next most frequent mechanisms are endozoochory (33%), hydrochory (28%), epizoochory (26%), and ballistic (8%). Polychory is common, particularly in monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous families and hydrochorous, epizoochorous, and ballistically dispersed species. Epizoochory is more common in New Zealand than in other regions, and species using this dispersal mechanism are over-represented among threatened species. Frugivory is less common than previously reported, and is under-represented among threatened species. Some mechanisms are poorly known, and entanglement and capsulivory are dispersal mechanisms apparently unique to New Zealand. Dispersal mechanisms reflective of New Zealand's distinctive assemblages of large flightless birds and reptiles are not apparent. A pattern of reduction in dispersal-related structures is evident in some genera. The mechanisms utilised by some species are ambiguous. Thus there remains a need for further investigation of the dispersal mechanisms utilised by plants in New Zealand. © 2009 Rübel Foundation, ETH Zürich.