Density-dependent morphological plasticity in Salvinia auriculata aublet

This study examined the effect of crowding on the size of the floating and submerged leaves of Salvinia auriculata. In addition, we examined investmen t in reproductive structures (sporocarps) in response to the size of ramets , Ramets of S. auriculata growing on the surface of lagoons in the Southern Pantanal were sampled from populations of different densities. Ramets unde r densely crowded conditions were significantly larger than ramets under un crowded conditions. There was a tendency for the number of sporocarps to in crease with the size of submerged leaves, but not with length or specific a rea of floating leaves, These results indicate that S, auriculata exhibit d ensity-dependent morphological plasticity, and may be a reflection of an ev olved strategy that increases competitive ability of the ramets, It further suggests that the increase in production of sporocarps may not be a simple response to the size of ramets, (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.