Scholarlink

<p>Ecological filters govern how hemiparasites express functional traits, shaping species persistence and ecosystem dynamics in drylands. We investigated how host identity, elevation, and disturbance influence morphological plasticity in <i>Osyris lanceolata</i>, a facultative hemiparasite of conservation concern in Uganda’s semi-arid Karamoja rangelands. Despite broad host availability, <i>O. lanceolata</i> consistently associated with a core group of woody hosts including <i>Rhus natalensis</i>, <i>Euclea racemosa</i>, and <i>Maytenus senegalensis</i>, reflecting deterministic host-driven trait outcomes (Sørensen greater than 0.70). Elevation, coppicing, and spatial arrangement caused pronounced plasticity in stem number, stem diameter, and leaf area, with trade-offs observed between height and thickness under disturbance. These predictable shifts, influenced by both hosts and the environment, reveal mechanisms of hemiparasite adaptation that support nutrient cycling and dryland community dynamics. Considering host specificity, morphological plasticity, and responses to disturbance, <i>O. lanceolata</i> provides a model for understanding functional ecology in hemiparasitic plants. The findings offer guidance for sustaining <i>O. lanceolata</i> populations and their host networks to maintain resilient dryland ecosystems.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Trait plasticity in Osyris lanceolata driven by ecological filtering

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月19日

查看全文
  • Ben Belden Mugula,
  • Samuel Kuria Kiboi,
  • James Ireri Kanya,
  • Manuel Curto,
  • Paul Okullo,
  • Anthony Egeru,
  • Jenipher Biira Salamula,
  • Stephen F. Omondi,
  • Nocy Bila,
  • Harald Meimberg

摘要

Ecological filters govern how hemiparasites express functional traits, shaping species persistence and ecosystem dynamics in drylands. We investigated how host identity, elevation, and disturbance influence morphological plasticity in Osyris lanceolata, a facultative hemiparasite of conservation concern in Uganda’s semi-arid Karamoja rangelands. Despite broad host availability, O. lanceolata consistently associated with a core group of woody hosts including Rhus natalensis, Euclea racemosa, and Maytenus senegalensis, reflecting deterministic host-driven trait outcomes (Sørensen greater than 0.70). Elevation, coppicing, and spatial arrangement caused pronounced plasticity in stem number, stem diameter, and leaf area, with trade-offs observed between height and thickness under disturbance. These predictable shifts, influenced by both hosts and the environment, reveal mechanisms of hemiparasite adaptation that support nutrient cycling and dryland community dynamics. Considering host specificity, morphological plasticity, and responses to disturbance, O. lanceolata provides a model for understanding functional ecology in hemiparasitic plants. The findings offer guidance for sustaining O. lanceolata populations and their host networks to maintain resilient dryland ecosystems.