Conflicting selection pressures on seed size: evolutionary ecology of fruit size in a bird-dispersed tree, Olea europaea

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1420-9101.2003.00618.x
• Publication Date: 2003-10-23T15:50:54Z
• Authors: J. M. Alcántara; P. J. Rey
• Keywords: Mutualism; Olea; Seed predation

Recent evidence indicates that fruit size has evolved according to dispersers' size. This is hypothesized result from a balance between factors favouring large seeds and dispersers setting the maximum hypothesis assumes (1) of fruits can be consumed by limited, (2) seed are positively correlated, (3) multiple selection pressures on positive. Our studies dispersal mutualism Olea europaea have supported first second assumptions, but valid tests third assumption still lacking. Here we confirm assumption. Using multiplicative fitness components, show conflicting during after reverse negative pattern exerted dispersers.