A novel adaptation facilitates seed establishment under marine turbulent flows.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Kendrick GA
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6928165 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
A novel adaptation facilitates seed establishment under marine turbulent flows.
Kendrick Gary A GA Pomeroy Andrew W AW Orth Robert J RJ Cambridge Marion L ML Shaw Jeremy J Kotula Lukasz L Lowe Ryan J RJ
Scientific reports 20191223 1
Seeds of Australian species of the seagrass genus Posidonia are covered by a membranous wing that we hypothesize plays a fundamental role in seed establishment in sandy, wave swept marine environments. Dimensions of the seed and membrane were quantified under electron microscopy and micro-CT scans, and used to model rotational, drag and lift forces. Seeds maintain contact with the seabed in the presence of strong turbulence: the larger the wing, the more stable the seed. Wing surface area increa ...[more]
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