ACORN SIZE AND GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE IN THE NORTH-AMERICAN OAKS (QUERCUS L)

A positive correlation exists between acorn size and geographical range of the oaks of E North America. Analysis of oaks native to the California region suggests that this is a continental pattern. Two hypotheses (size-dependent dispersal and niche availability as a function of seed food reserves) are examined as factors that could account for the relationship between range area and seed size. The latter apparently provides the better explanation. -from Authors