Dispersal syndromes are often defined by reference to fruit traits that are associated with distinct frugivore guilds. Studies rarely examine the relationship between seed traits and frugivores or test the alternative hypothesis that traits are shaped by climatic variables. We assess whether the evolution of seed size and physical defense are correlated with dispersal‐related traits and climatic variables in Artabotrys, a fleshy‐fruited tropical lineage. Diaspore traits and WorldClim bioclimatic variables were compiled for 43 species. Correlated evolution was evaluated using phylogenetic regression and model‐fitting approaches. The best‐fitting multioptima Ornstein‐Uhlenbeck model suggests that lineages with smooth testa and thin pericarp (SP) have evolved toward smaller seeds with a thinner testa, whereas lineages with rough testa and/or thick pericarp have evolved toward larger seeds with a thicker testa. A smooth testa facilitates spitting and/or swallowing of intact seeds while fruits with thin pericarp may be preferentially consumed by frugivores with less destructive oral processing, enabling lower investment in seed physical defense in SP lineages. Moreover, small seeds are more likely to be swallowed intact with a food bolus. The effect of climate on seed size and physical defense is equivocal and warrants further investigation.

中文翻译：

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肉质果实热带谱系（Artabotrys，番荔枝科）中硬水铝石特性的相关进化和潜在的食果动物介导的选择

扩散综合征通常是根据与不同的食果动物行会相关的水果特征来定义的。研究很少检查种子性状和食果动物之间的关系，也很少检验性状受气候变量影响的替代假设。我们评估了种子大小和物理防御的进化是否与 Artabotrys（一种肉质水果的热带谱系）的传播相关性状和气候变量相关。为 43 个物种编制了水铝石特性和 WorldClim 生物气候变量。使用系统发育回归和模型拟合方法评估相关进化。最佳拟合的多最优 Ornstein-Uhlenbeck 模型表明，具有光滑种皮和薄果皮 (SP) 的谱系已经向种皮更薄、更小的种子进化，而具有粗糙种皮和/或厚果皮的谱系已经向具有更厚种皮的较大种子进化。光滑的种皮有利于完整种子的吐出和/或吞咽，而果皮薄的果实可能会优先被食果动物食用，具有较小的破坏性口腔加工，从而降低对 SP 谱系中种子物理防御的投资。此外，小种子更有可能被食物丸完整地吞下。气候对种子大小和物理防御的影响是模棱两可的，需要进一步调查。降低对 SP 谱系中种子物理防御的投资。此外，小种子更有可能被食物丸完整地吞下。气候对种子大小和物理防御的影响是模棱两可的，需要进一步调查。降低对 SP 谱系种子物理防御的投资。此外，小种子更有可能被食物丸完整地吞下。气候对种子大小和物理防御的影响是模棱两可的，需要进一步调查。