Seed predation assessment (Polemoniaceae)

Knowledge graph centered on Seed predation assessment (Polemoniaceae) with 73 nodes and 190 connections. Top connected: Hummingbird, Bombus, Ipomopsis, Ligusticum porteri, Delphinium.

Method synopsis

Weekly monitoring of fly oviposition on flowers and assessment of fruit damage by predispersal seed predators including fly larvae and caterpillars to quantify reproductive success and seed predation pressure.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 13 papers using this protocol.

Procedure from a recent peer-reviewed implementation

Steps below were extracted from the most recent peer-reviewed implementation of this protocol in the corpus — Effects of experimental warming on floral scent, display and rewards in two subalpine herbs (2025), Annals of Botany. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Monitor fly oviposition and seed predation
   Weekly counts of fly eggs under sepals on all open flowers and elongated buds of I. aggregata plants. Tallest inflorescence height recorded weekly. Collection of fruits immediately before dehiscence and calyces from flowers that failed to make fruit to estimate reproductive success. Seed predation damage calculated as proportion of non-aborted fruits with fly larva damage (≥6% of fruits) or eaten by a caterpillar (2% of fruits).
   Quantities: 62 plants at Maxfield Meadow measured for reproductive success metricsDuration: Weekly monitoring throughout flowering period, final fruit collection before dehiscenceConditions: Measurements conducted weekly during the fruiting period
   Equipment: collection containers for fruits and calyces

Typical Equipment

• collection containers

Output Measurements

• fly eggs per flower
• fruit abortion rate
• seed predation damage
• reproductive success

Papers Using This Protocol (13)

Species Studied With This Protocol