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Image Title: Examples of intraspecific genetic variation in plants
Image Credit: Dr. Kenneth D. Whitney, University of California
AJB Editor: Judy Jernstedt, University of California - Davis
Intended End User: Teacher, Student
License Details: BSA - Terms for Image Use
Copyright held by: Kenneth D. Whitney, BSA
Date Created: 5/1/2005
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About the Image

Fruit color polymorphisms are striking examples of intraspecific genetic variation in plants that can interact with animal associates such as seed dispersers. Diaspores of the Australian desert shrub Acacia ligulata (Fabaceae) are composed of a black seed (ca. 5 mm in length) surmounted by a colored, lipid-rich aril (ca. 2.5 mm). The three color morphs-red, orange, and yellow-are dispersed by both ants and birds.

Link to the AJB Abstract for the article:

Linking frugivores to the dynamics of a fruit color polymorphism

National Science Foundation  Development Supported by the National Science Foundation