Fruit shape variation in Fraxinus mandshurica var. japonica characterized using elliptic Fourier descriptors and the effect on flight duration

Fruit shape variation in Fraxinus mandshurica var. japonica was characterized using principal component analysis of elliptic Fourier descriptors (EFDs), and experimental release of the fruits from a 8.3-m tower was conducted to examine the effect of fruit shape on flight ability. The differences in the first five components of symmetrical variation in fruit shape, area and weight were highly significant among individual trees. Experimental release of fruits indicated that three principal components of fruit shape, area and weight were significantly related to flight duration. Thus, intraspecific morphological variation of fruits will affect the dispersion potential of individual trees.