• Key message Mechanisms controlling germination of > 2600 Arecaceae species adapted to the tropical forests are not clearly understood. This contribution underpins the notion that the coexistence of dormancy and desiccation sensitivity in some Arecaceae species could significantly affect the germination ecology. Although the evolutionary and ecological significance behind this occurrence is unknown, these traits together could limit the germination from inappropriate depths and allow dispersal. • Context Dormancy and desiccation sensitivity, i.e., recalcitrance, are considered as mutually exclusive traits that evolved to maximize seed survival after dispersal; the former by allowing seeds to spread germination risk temporally then synchronize germination with a favorable growing season, and the latter by allowing germination immediately. However, a few species from temperate ecosystems have been known to produce seeds that are both dormant and desiccation-sensitive, but little is known about such a relationship in the tropical forests. • Aims To understand if desiccation sensitivity and dormancy can coexist in Arecaceae species, distributed predominantly in the tropical forests, and compare the seed traits found in Arecaceae species with other desiccation-sensitive species. • Methods Information published in international peer-reviewed journals was reviewed and a database with records on seed dormancy and desiccation sensitivity was created and discussed. • Results This literature survey has identified diaspores of 34 Arecaceae species that have both desiccation-sensitivity and an underdeveloped, small embryo, i.e., morphophysiological dormancy or morphological dormancy. In Arecaceae species, desiccation-sensitivity is neither confined to large-sized diaspores, nor all species adapted to dry ecosystems disperse diaspore during the wet-season; features reported to be prevalent in desiccation-sensitive species of other families. Endocarp is proposed to act as a mechanical barrier preventing water loss and also offer protection against physical damage; however, the extent of protection against water loss from internal structures is contentious. • Conclusion The possible ecological significance of this unique relationship noted in Arecaceae is currently unknown, and this review puts forward “testable” hypotheses that call for more studies on germination ecology focusing on dispersal and burial.

中文翻译：

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对槟榔科物种休眠和干燥敏感性共存的生态学见解

• 关键信息 控制> 2600 种适应热带森林的槟榔科物种发芽的机制尚不清楚。这一贡献支持了以下观点，即一些槟榔科物种中休眠和干燥敏感性的共存可能会显着影响发芽生态。尽管这种事件背后的进化和生态意义尚不清楚，但这些特征一起可以限制从不适当深度的发芽并允许扩散。• 环境休眠和干燥敏感性，即顽固性，被认为是相互排斥的特征，它们进化以最大限度地提高散播后的种子存活率。前者通过允许种子暂时传播发芽风险，然后使发芽与有利的生长季节同步，后者通过允许立即发芽。然而，已知来自温带生态系统的一些物种会产生休眠和干燥敏感的种子，但对热带森林中的这种关系知之甚少。• 目的 了解主要分布在热带森林中的槟榔科物种中是否可以同时存在干燥敏感性和休眠，并将槟榔科物种中发现的种子特征与其他干燥敏感物种进行比较。• 方法 审查发表在国际同行评审期刊上的信息，并创建和讨论了一个包含种子休眠和干燥敏感性记录的数据库。• 结果 本文献调查确定了 34 种槟榔科物种的水硬铝石，它们具有干燥敏感性和发育不全的小胚胎，即形态生理休眠或形态休眠。在槟榔科物种中，干燥敏感性不仅限于大尺寸的水铝石，也不是所有适应干燥生态系统的物种都会在雨季驱散水铝石；据报道，特征在其他科的干燥敏感物种中普遍存在。内果皮被提议用作防止水分流失的机械屏障，并提供防止物理损坏的保护；然而，防止内部结构失水的程度是有争议的。• 结论 在槟榔科中发现的这种独特关系的可能生态意义目前尚不清楚，本综述提出了“可检验”的假设，要求对发芽生态学进行更多的研究，重点是传播和埋藏。并非所有适应干旱生态系统的物种都会在雨季驱散水铝石；据报道，特征在其他科的干燥敏感物种中普遍存在。内果皮被提议用作防止水分流失的机械屏障，并提供防止物理损坏的保护；然而，防止内部结构失水的程度是有争议的。• 结论 在槟榔科中发现的这种独特关系的可能生态意义目前尚不清楚，本综述提出了“可检验”的假设，要求对发芽生态学进行更多的研究，重点是传播和埋藏。并非所有适应干旱生态系统的物种都会在雨季驱散水铝石；据报道，特征在其他科的干燥敏感物种中普遍存在。内果皮被提议用作防止水分流失的机械屏障，并提供防止物理损坏的保护；然而，防止内部结构失水的程度是有争议的。• 结论 在槟榔科中发现的这种独特关系的可能生态意义目前尚不清楚，本综述提出了“可检验”的假设，要求对发芽生态学进行更多的研究，重点是传播和埋藏。内果皮被提议用作防止水分流失的机械屏障，并提供防止物理损坏的保护；然而，防止内部结构失水的程度是有争议的。• 结论 在槟榔科中发现的这种独特关系的可能生态意义目前尚不清楚，本综述提出了“可检验”的假设，要求对发芽生态学进行更多的研究，重点是传播和埋藏。内果皮被提议用作防止水分流失的机械屏障，并提供防止物理损坏的保护；然而，防止内部结构失水的程度是有争议的。• 结论 在槟榔科中发现的这种独特关系的可能生态意义目前尚不清楚，本综述提出了“可检验”的假设，要求对发芽生态学进行更多的研究，重点是传播和埋藏。