The Relationship between Diaspore Characteristics with Phylogeny, Life History Traits, and Their Ecological Adaptation of 150 Species from the Cold Desert of Northwest China

Table 1

The species, APG II taxonomic phylogeny group, family, vegetative period, metrical object, diaspore characteristics (length, width, height, shape (variance), color, appendages), first dispersal phase (dispersal syndrome), second dispersal phase, and ecotype of 150 species in the Gurbantunggut Desert, northwest China.

APG II taxonomic phylogeny group

Family

Species

Vegetative period

Metrical object

Mass of 100 seeds; (Mean ± SE)

Length, width, and height; (Mean ± SE)

Diaspore shape variance

Diaspore color

Appendages

First dispersal phase (dispersal syndromes)

Second dispersal phase

Ecotype

Coniferopsida

Ephedraceae

Ephedra przewalskii Stapf

S

Cone

280.86±7.06

3.926±0.054; 1.700±0.051; 0.854±0.054

0.114

Light brown

Bract

Anemochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Monocots

Liliaceae

Eremurus inderiensis (M. Bieb.) Regel

PH

Seed

820.62±5.85

5.766±0.125; 3.454±0.089; 2.788±0.073

0.052

Brown

Wing

Anemochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Iridaceae

Iris lactea Pall. var. chinensis (Fisch.) Koidz.

PH

Seed

2199.16±30.34

4.320±0.146; 3.408±0.107; 2.002±0.085

0.053

Reddish brown

None

Barochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Commelinids

Poaceae

Achnatherum inebrians (Hance) Keng

PH

Seed

90.50±0.63

3.976±0.071; 0.704±0.015; 0.684±0.015

0.157

Brown

Hair

Zoochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Stipagrostis adscensionis L.

AH

Caryopsis

57.00±1.15

17.64±0.812; 4.422±0.491; 2.636±0.148

0.150

Brownish green

Awn

Zoochory

—

Xerophyte

Stipagrostis pennata Trin.

PH

Caryopsis

88.16±0.53

21.764±0.890; 4.214±0.393; 2.412±0.240

0.167

Yellowish green

Awn

Zoochory

—

Xerophyte

Chloris virgata Sw.

AH

Caryopsis

39.72±0.80

1.850±0.044; 0.574±0.028; 0.378±0.016

0.130

Pale yellow

Awn

Zoochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Eragrostis minor Host-E. poaeoides Beauv.

AE

Seed

7.58±0.24

0.584±0.021; 0.440±0.017; 0.372±0.017

0.028

Reddish brown

None

Anemochory

—

Mesophyte

Eremopyrum bonaepartis (Spreng.) Nevski

AE

Caryopsis

177.86±4.59

9.570±0.377; 1.324±0.043; 1.042±0.072

0.176

Yellowish green

Awn

Zoochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Eremopyrum triticeum (Gaertn.) Nevski

AE

Caryopsis

184.76±3.20

11.748±0.482; 1.394±0.083; 1.096±0.041

0.184

Yellowish green

Awn

Zoochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Elymus atratus Turcz.

PH

Caryopsis

155.82±1.37

19.574±1.02; 1.394±0.065; 0.652±0.034

0.206

Pale yellow

Awn

Zoochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Elymus sibiricus L.

PH

Caryopsis

221.22±4.19

15.372±0.966; 1.466±0.066; 0.638±0.025

0.199

Light green

Awn

Zoochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Leymus racemosus (Lam.) Tzvel.

PH

Caryopsis

944.44±14.73

13.708±0.872; 2.736±0.230; 2.166±0.157

0.156

Pale yellow

Awn

Zoochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Melica transsilvanica Schur

PH

Caryopsis

42.60±1.04

4.668±0.112; 2.116±0.048; 2.060±0.037

0.071

Pale yellow

Hair

Zoochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Stipa capillata L.

PH

Caryopsis

334.06±5.20

10.758±0.301; 0.814±0.039; 0.788±0.038

0.197

Pale yellow

Awn

Zoochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Stipa sareptana Beck.

PH

Caryopsis

367.18±2.76

12.512±0.369; 0.710±0.028; 0.676±0.030

0.205

Yellowish brown

Awn

Zoochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Eudicots

Papaveraceae

Corydalis stricta Steph.

PH

Seed

44.66±0.84

1.420±0.043; 1.268±0.027; 0.488±0.016

0.086

Black

Placenta

Barochory

—

Xerophyte

Glaucium squamigerum Kar. et Kir.

BPH

Seed

41.88±0.18

1.272±0.044; 0.714±0.022; 0.542±0.012

0.065

Black

None

Autochory

—

Xerophyte

Hypecoum erectum L.

AE

Seed

29.96±0.28

1.016±0.038; 0.822±0.032; 0.526±0.020

0.045

Dark brown

Wart

Barochory

—

Xerophyte

Ranunculaceae

Ceratocephalus testiculatus (Crantz) Bess.

AE

Achenecetum

106.46±0.99

4.614±0.229; 4.548±0.276; 3.600±0.180

0.018

Black

Beak/spine

Zoochory

—

Mesophyte

Clematis songarica Bge.

SS

Achene

234.84±11.31

4.038±0.106; 1.800±0.044; 0.654±0.023

0.126

Brown

Pappus

Anemochory

—

Mesophyte

Core eudicots

Caryophyllaceae

Gypsophila perfoliata L.

PH

Seed

31.06±0.45

0.944±0.010; 0.784±0.023; 0.460±0.009

0.048

Black

Wart

Barochory

—

Mesophyte

Amaranthaceae

Agriophyllum squarrosum (L.) Moq.

AH

Seed

115.82±2.70

2.208±0.093; 1.712±0.074; 0.524±0.040

0.108

White

None

Barochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Anabasis aphylla L.

SS

Utricle

114.36±1.98

2.064±0.062; 1.454±0.061; 0.496±0.031

0.104

Dark reddish brown

Bract

Anemochory

—

Mesophyte

Atriplex aucheri Moq.

AH

Utricle

304.26±10.19

8.148±0.291; 6.428±0.266; 0.884±0.042

0.150

Light yellowish brown

Bract

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Atriplex tatarica L.

AH

Utricle

109.94±3.21

4.472±0.355; 3.984±0.302; 0.566±0.138

0.168

Yellowish brown

Bract

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Bassia dasyphylla (Fisch. et Mey.) O. Kuntze

AH

Utricle

66.32±0.78

3.018±0.145; 2.692±0.115; 0.444±0.021

0.150

Light yellowish brown

Spine

Zoochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Bassia Sedoides (Pall.) O. Kuntze

AH

Utricle

42.98±0.49

2.958±0.165; 2.216±0.157; 1.710±0.162

0.040

Yellowish brown

Hook/spine

Zoochory

—

Xerophyte

Camphorosma monspeliaca L.

SS

Utricle

53.58±1.45

2.238±0.066; 1.350±0.039; 0.708±0.034

0.083

Yellowish brown

Hair

Anemochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Ceratocarpus arenarius L.

AH

Utricle

151.14±2.49

7.624±0.556; 10.484±1.246; 0.534±0.028

0.364

Dark green/pale yellow

Spine

Zoochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Ceratoides ewersmanniana (Stschel. ex Losinsk.) Botsch. et Ikonn.

S

Utricle

330.64±4.65

7.272±0.566; 8.794±0.790; 3.680±0.344

0.179

Brown

Hair

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Ceratoides lateens (J. F. Gmel.) Reveal et Holmgren

S/SS

Utricle

434.80±14.25

7.066±0.371; 8.018±0.399; 4.398±0.206

0.076

Brown

Hair

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Chenopodium acuminatum Willd.

AH

Seed

35.22±0.16

0.964±0.025; 0.868±0.024; 0.416±0.021

0.065

Black

None

Barochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Chenopodium aristatum Linn.

AH

Seed

10.66±0.22

0.594±0.023; 0.548±0.024; 0.340±0.018

0.037

Black

None

Barochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Chenopodium glaucum Linn.

AH

Seed

21.58±0.21

0.864±0.049; 0.798±0.051; 0.342±0.013

0.074

Black

None

Barochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Corispermum lehmannianum Bunge.

AH

Utricle

73.10±1.01

2.634±0.083; 1.708±0.077; 0.266±0.016

0.143

Yellowish green

Beak

Zoochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Halogeton arachnoideus Moq.

AH

Seed

43.88±0.92

1.346±0.061; 1.102±0.045; 0.390±0.017

0.095

Dark brown

Bract

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Halogeton glomeratus (Bieb.) C. A. Mey.

AH

Seed

105.98±1.12

2.092±0.047; 1.388±0.034; 0.604±0.015

0.088

Yellowish brown

Bract

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Halostachys caspica (Bieb.) C. A. Mey.

S

Utricle

24.24±0.74

1.798±0.077; 1.366±0.060; 0.920±0.057

0.046

Brown

None

Anemochory

—

Mesophyte

Haloxylon ammodendron (C. A. M.) Bge.

SA

Utricle

388.80±11.50

10.676±0.419; 9.548±0.389; 0.986±0.091

0.172

Yellowish brown

Bract

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Haloxylon persicum Bge. ex Boiss. et Buhse

SA

Utricle

797.18±8.45

9.528±0.149; 8.820±0.122; 1.608±0.119

0.147

Light yellowish brown

Bract

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Horaninowia ulicina Fisch. et Mey.

AH

Utricle

23.00±0.57

0.932±0.043; 0.830±0.043; 0.332±0.014

0.083

Pale yellow

Bract

Zoochory

—

Mesophyte

Kalidium capsicum (L.) Ung.-Sternb.

SS

Utricle

15.12±0.20

0.728±0.029; 0.642±0.026; 0.452±0.022

0.032

Light yellowish brown

None

Anemochory

—

Mesophyte

Kalidium cuspidatum (Ung.-Sternb.) Grub.

SS

Utricle

11.90±0.38

1.680±0.127; 1.336±0.029; 0.608±0.040

0.081

Light yellowish brown

None

Anemochory

—

Mesophyte

Kalidium foliatum (Pall.) G Moq.

SS

Utricle

16.06±0.65

1.270±0.121; 0.938±0.141; 0.770±0.081

0.047

Light yellowish brown

None

Anemochory

—

Mesophyte

Kochia iranica Litv. ex Bornm.

AH

Utricle

47.34±0.80

1.568±0.080; 1.188±0.044; 0.910±0.050

0.037

Dark brown

Hair

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Petrosmonia sibirica (Pall.) Bge.

AH

Utricle

174.96±1.51

3.712±0.213; 1.988±0.030; 0.874±0.039

0.104

Pale yellow

Bract

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Salicornia europaea Linn.

AH

Utricle

5.54±0.04

0.698±0.017; 0.430±0.017; 0.350±0.017

0.049

Dark brown

None

Anemochory

—

Xerophyte

Salsola affinis C. A. Mey.

AH

Utricle

626.96±15.51

8.032±0.408; 7.106±0.347; 3.174±0.140

0.072

Yellowish brown

Bract

Anemochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Salsola foliosa (L.) Schrad.

AH

Utricle

103.94±0.40

6.162±0.218; 5.834±0.214; 0.524±0.020

0.182

Reddish brown

Bract

Anemochory

—

Xerophyte

Salsola heptapotamica Iljin

AH

Utricle

518.34±6.87

10.176±0.596; 9.210±0.525; 1.874±0.183

0.139

Yellowish brown

Bract

Anemochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Salsola nitraria Pall.

AH

Utricle

180.20±3.96

6.690±0.269; 5.958±0.290; 1.668±0.126

0.115

Yellowish brown

Bract

Anemochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Salsola ruthenica Iljin

AH

Utricle

271.46±4.11

8.216±0.424; 7.556±0.397; 1.748±0.109

0.129

Brown

Bract

Anemochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Salsola subcrassa M. Pop.

AH

Utricle

1071.36±2.37

10.770±0.578; 9.694±0.509; 2.584±0.120

0.117

Yellowish brown

Bract

Anemochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Suaeda acuminata (C. A. Mey.) Moq.

AH

Utricle

56.88±1.67

1.456±0.088; 1.264±0.071; 1.020±0.056

0.020

Dark brown

None

Barochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Suaeda altissima (L.) Pall.

AH

Utricle

34.74±0.57

1.244±0.033; 1.076±0.046; 0.768±0.033

0.029

Black

None

Barochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Suaeda corniculata (C. A. Mey.) Bunge

AH

Utricle

33.79±0.58

1.102±0.026; 0.924±0.026; 0.580±0.021

0.047

Yellowish brown

None

Barochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Suaeda microphylla (C. A. M.) Pall.

SS

Utricle

31.66±0.51

1.086±0.040; 1.040±0.039; 0.964±0.033

0.003

Black/yellowish brown

None

Barochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Suaeda physophora Pall.

SS

Utricle

247.52±2.11

2.934±0.162; 2.724±0.120; 1.870±0.088

0.029

Reddish brown

Perianth

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Suaeda salsa (L.) Pall.

AH

Utricle

15.20±0.28

0.792±0.031; 0.726±0.036; 0.466±0.020

0.034

Black

None

Barochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Polygonaceae

Atraphaxis frutescens (Rgl.) Krassn.

S

Achene

283.68±6.26

7.596±0.096; 5.322±0.174; 3.326±0.226

0.058

Brown

Perianth

Anemochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Calligonum ebinuricum Ivanova.

S

Achene

2672.20±121.39

10.138±0.369; 6.614±0.521; 5.738±0.437

0.045

Brown

Hook/spine

Zoochory

—

Mesophyte

Calligonum mongolicum Turcz.

SS

Achene

5934.84±57.75

14.056±0.538; 12.604±0.390; 12.454±0.398

0.005

Yellowish brown

Hook/spine

Zoochory

—

Xerophyte

Calligonum  leucocladum (Schrenk) Bunge

S

Achene

2829.50±124.68

10.614±0.423; 10.250±1.378; 8.240±1.235

0.087

Yellowish brown

Wing

Zoochory

—

Xerophyte

Rumex pseudonatronatus Borb.

PH

Achene

211.74±4.07

4.614±0.229; 4.548±0.276; 3.600±0.180

0.018

Yellowish brown

Bract

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Tamaricaceae

Reaumuria soongorica (Pall.) Maxim.

SS

Capsule

916.18±12.07

6.050±0.156; 2.568±0.064; 2.500±0.058

0.078

Dark brown

Hair

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Plumbaginaceae

Limonium coralloides (Tausch) Lincz.

PH

Utricle

26.40±0.63

2.622±0.048; 1.424±0.049; 1.390±0.050

0.051

Light brown

Bract

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Limonium gmelinii (Willd.) Kuntze.

PH

Utricle

45.50±1.22

3.532±0.090; 1.324±0.062; 1.288±0.063

0.093

Dark brown

Bract

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Limonium otolepis (Schrenk)

PH

Utricle

21.40±0.42

1.984±0.088; 0.972±0.023; 0.944±0.020

0.064

Light brown

Bract

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Limonium suffruticosum (L.) Kuntze.

SS

Utricle

30.26±0.52

2.784±0.157; 0.896±0.066; 0.868±0.067

0.109

Light brown

Bract

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Rosids

Geraniaceae

Erodium oxyrrhynchum M. B. Fl.

AE

Capsule

225.44±2.55

5.366±0.119; 1.086±0.092; 0.902±0.014

0.154

Brown

Pappus/beak

Anemochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Eurosids I

Fabaceae

Alhagi sparsifolia Shap.

SS

Pod

487.46±6.42

3.672±0.129; 2.292±0.073; 1.230±0.079

0.078

Brown

None

Autochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Amorpha fruticosa L.

S/SS

Pod

911.84±9.71

8.616±0.251; 2.836±0.050; 1.628±0.056

0.130

Nut-brown

None

Barochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Eremosparton songoricum (Litv) Vass

SS

Pod

1547.34±26.08

4.402±0.129; 3.358±0.067; 1.266±0.044

0.091

Light yellowish brown

Awn, papery calyx

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal.

PH

Pod

3790.04±53.64

11.424±0.639; 4.920±0.250; 3.688±0.141

0.091

Brown

None

Autochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch

PH

Seed

903.80±5.98

2.796±0.151; 2.301±0.061; 1.534±0.038

0.038

Brown

None

Autochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Sophora alopecuroides L.

PH

Seed

1899.66±19.49

3.968±0.074; 2.936±0.078; 2.150±0.081

0.039

Light brown

None

Barochory

—

Xerophyte

Trigonella arcuata C. A. M.

AE

Seed

100.78±1.76

2.248±0.059; 0.832±0.028; 0.656±0.028

0.105

Yellowish green

None

Autochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Trigonella cancellata Desf.

AE

Seed

87.84±0.96

2.100±0.030; 0.768±0.037; 0.596±0.030

0.107

Yellowish green

None

Autochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Zygophyllaceae

Nitraria roborowskii Kom.

S

Berry

4599.56±91.07

7.916±0.174; 4.598±0.281; 3.616±0.137

0.059

Dark reddish brown

None

Zoochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Nitraria sibirica Pall.

S

Berry

3826.70±59.66

6.758±0.130; 3.532±0.089; 3.384±0.084

0.055

Dark reddish brown

None

Zoochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Peganum harmala Linn.

PH

Seed

289.36±2.84

3.360±0.046; 1.832±0.079; 0.908±0.041

0.096

Dark brown

None

Barochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Zygophyllum fabago L.

PH

Seed

297.76±9.15

3.704±0.045; 1.674±0.056; 0.634±0.032

0.123

Brown

Balloon

Barochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Zygophyllum pterocarpum Bge.

PH

Seed

170.24±4.38

3.476±0.089; 1.884±0.056; 0.360±0.016

0.140

Brown

Wart

Barochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Zygophyllum xanthoxylon Maxim.

S

Capsule

10652.78±292.29

28.588±1.133; 26.336±1.051; 15.058±1.390

0.051

Pale yellow

Wing

Anemochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Rosaceae

Agrimonia asiatica Juz.

PH

Achenecetum

463.34±9.21

5.456±0.149; 3.316±0.161; 3.012±0.194

0.044

Green

Hook/spine

Zoochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Cannabaceae

Cannabis sativa L.

AH

Capsule

433.82±46.22

3.016±0.089; 2.284±0.085; 1.660±0.042

0.036

Grey

None

Barochory

—

Mesophyte

Eurosids II

Brassicaceae

Alyssum deserorum Stapf.

AE

Seed

37.32±0.50

1.474±0.043; 1.044±0.044; 0.334±0.013

0.107

Yellow

None

Ombro-hydrochory

—

Mesophyte

Alyssum linifolium Steph. ex Willd.

AE

Seed

18.00±0.29

1.330±0.030; 0.902±0.033; 0.274±0.018

0.111

Yellow

None

Ombro-hydrochory

—

Xerophyte

Camelina microcarpa Andrz.

AH

Seed

31.66±0.24

1.164±0.039; 0.702±0.033; 0.492±0.024

0.062

Yellowish brown

None

Ombro-hydrochory

—

Xerophyte

Camelina sativa (Linn.) Crantz

AH

Seed

31.90±0.83

1.114±0.028; 0.614±0.019; 0.502±0.024

0.061

Yellowish brown

None

Ombro-hydrochory

—

Mesophyte

Cardaria draba (L.) Desv.

PH

Seed

206.44±0.68

2.104±0.035; 1.274±0.059; 0.828±0.028

0.068

Reddish brown

None

Ombro-hydrochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Cardaria pubescens (C. A. Meyer) Jarmoenko

PH

Seed

94.80±1.30

1.670±0.046; 1.050±0.027; 0.620±0.021

0.070

Reddish brown

None

Ombro-hydrochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Descurainia Sophia (L.) Webb. ex Prantl

AH

Seed

10.60±0.07

0.916±0.025; 0.422±0.011; 0.336±0.013

0.081

Light reddish brown

None

Ombro-hydrochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Erysimum hieracifolium L.

BPH

Seed

29.22±0.34

1.324±0.063; 0.620±0.025; 0.430±0.020

0.091

Brown

None

Ombro-hydrochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Euclidium syricum (L.) R. Br.

AE

Silicle

400.92±6.52

3.740±0.163; 1.898±0.051; 1.630±0.040

0.066

Brownish green/brown

Beak

Zoochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Isatis costata C. A. Mey.

BH

Silicle

394.58±24.67

8.708±0.430; 3.904±0.299; 1.332±0.079

0.129

Yellowish brown

Wing

Barochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Isatis violascens Bge.

AE

Silicle

223.52±3.15

3.038±0.115; 1.220±0.028; 0.972±0.024

0.095

Yellowish brown

Wing

Barochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Lepidium apetalum Willd.

ABH

Seed

18.00±0.13

1.016±0.023; 0.620±0.022; 0.362±0.020

0.074

Reddish brown

None

Ombro-hydrochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Lepidium ferganense Korsh.

PH

Seed

21.34±0.52

1.360±0.022; 0.684±0.022; 0.312±0.015

0.106

Reddish brown

None

Ombro-hydrochory

—

Mesophyte

Lepidium latifolium var. affine C. A. Mey

PH

Seed

15.22±0.36

0.930±0.026; 0.544±0.023; 0.336±0.015

0.074

Reddish brown

None

Ombro-hydrochory

—

Mesophyte

Lepidium perfoliatum L.

ABE

Seed

78.32±0.26

1.878±0.042; 1.188±0.041; 0.446±0.015

0.102

Yellowish brown

None

Ombro-hydrochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Malcolmia africana (L.) R. Br.

BE

Seed

13.64±0.00

1.024±0.040; 0.567±0.038; 0.360±0.017

0.080

Light yellowish brown

None

Barochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Neotorularia korolkovii (Rgl. et Schmlh.) Hedge et J. Leonard.

ABE

Seed

9.46±0.11

0.966±0.037; 0.448±0.026; 0.200±0.026

0.117

Yellowish brown

None

Ombro-hydrochory

—

Mesophyte

Syrenia siliculosa (M. Bieb.) Andrz.

BH

Seed

20.94±0.39

1.588±0.090; 0.678±0.026; 0.420±0.015

0.103

Orange

None

Ombro-hydrochory

—

Xerophyte

Tetracme quadricornis (Steph.) Bge.

AE

Seed

8.00±0.11

0.880±0.024; 0.458±0.011; 0.284±0.016

0.086

Light yellowish brown

None

Ombro-hydrochory

—

Mesophyte

Thlaspi arvense L.

AE

Seed

74.26±0.46

1.598±0.034; 1.102±0.016; 0.592±0.022

0.070

Dark brown

None

Barochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Malvaceae

Abutilon theophrasti Medicus

AH

Seed

858.18±6.37

3.396±0.063; 2.756±0.035; 1.544±0.029

0.054

Dark brown

Hair

Barochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Althaea officinalis L.

PH

Schizocarp

153.88±2.99

2.756±0.053; 2.352±0.042; 1.292±0.154

0.062

Light brown

Hair

Barochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Althaea nudiflora Lindl.

BH

Schizocarp

593.78±8.71

4.732±0.120; 4.004±0.046; 1.168±0.069

0.111

Light brown

Hair

Barochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Hibiscus trionum L.

AH

Seed

454.08±5.71

2.276±0.039; 2.032±0.036; 1.392±0.027

0.028

Black

Wart

Barochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Euasterids I

Scrophulariaceae

Dodartia orientalis L.

PH

Seed

8.72±0.15

0.516±0.009; 0.356±0.008; 0.324±0.009

0.028

Black

None

Barochory

—

Mesophyte

Leptorhabdos parviflora Benth.

AH

Seed

111.26±1.11

2.540±0.103; 1.096±0.064; 0.588±0.024

0.111

Dark brown

None

Barochory

—

Mesophyte

Veronica ferganiea M Pop.

AE

Seed

40.60±0.65

1.458±0.042; 0.722±0.029; 0.522±0.029

0.081

Brown

None

Barochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Solanaceae

Datura stramonium L.

SS

Seed

691.98±5.76

3.304±0.046; 2.608±0.051; 1.316±0.040

0.065

Black

None

Barochory

—

Xerophyte

Hyoscyamus niger L.

BH

Seed

62.94±0.97

1.294±0.027; 1.086±0.035; 0.594±0.025

0.057

Yellowish brown

None

Barochory

—

Xerophyte

Boraginaceae

Arnebia decumbens (Vent.) Coss. et Kral.

AE

Nutlet

1335.44±11.70

10.690±0.345; 6.384±0.332; 5.360±0.164

0.052

Brown

Hook/spine

Zoochory

—

Xerophyte

Heliotropium ellipticum Ldb.

PH

Schizocarp

95.82±1.27

2.022±0.145; 1.260±0.077; 0.998±0.055

0.049

Brownish green

Wart

Barochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Lappula myosotis Moench

ABE

Nutlet

435.18±2.71

4.354±0.144; 3.432±0.150; 3.154±0.146

0.021

Dark brown

Spine

Zoochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Lappula spinocarpa (Forssk.) Aschers. ex Kuntze

AE

Nutlet

1491.06±57.20

3.924±0.065; 3.118±0.037; 4.112±0.139

0.016

Light yellowish brown

Spine

Zoochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Lepechiniella lasiocarpa W. T. Wang

AH

Nutlet

451.48±4.14

2.860±0.107; 2.778±0.101; 2.606±0.126

0.015

Brown

Spine

Zoochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Lindelofia stylosa (Kar. et Kir.) Brand.

PH

Nutlet

1397.80±28.88

6.768±0.069; 4.648±0.083; 2.248±0.044

0.078

Yellowish brown

Spine

Zoochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Lamiaceae

Elsholtzia densa Benth.

PH

Nutlet

10.02±0.09

0.688±0.010; 0.508±0.020; 0.468±0.018

0.023

Dark brown

Wart

Barochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Leonurus turkestanicus V. Krecz. et Rupr.

PH

Nutlet

111.60±0.56

2.364±0.038; 1.396±0.060; 0.720±0.046

0.086

Light brown

None

Barochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Marrubium vulgare L.

PH

Nutlet

99.34±0.55

1.784±0.055; 1.060±0.038; 0.724±0.015

0.066

Dark brown

Wart

Barochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Phlomis chinghoensis C. Y. Wu

PH

Nutlet

556.84±8.71

4.268±0.083; 2.380±0.074; 1.280±0.340

0.087

Dark brown

None

Barochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Salvia deserta Schang.

PH

Nutlet

51.58±1.24

1.576±0.030; 1.164±0.033; 0.700±0.025

0.055

Black

None

Barochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Plantaginaceae

Plantago lessingii Fisch. et Mey.

AE

Seed

193.74±2.13

3.514±0.064; 1.328±0.059; 0.610±0.041

0.129

Yellowish brown

None

Ombro-hydrochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Plantago major L.

PH

Seed

17.66±0.38

1.132±0.049; 0.656±0.015; 0.372±0.016

0.080

Yellowish brown

None

Ombro-hydrochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Plantago maritima Linn. subsp. ciliata Printz.

PH

Seed

44.06±0.57

1.756±0.054; 0.824±0.044; 0.426±0.023

0.105

Yellowish brown

None

Ombro-hydrochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Plantago minuta Pall.

AE

Seed

203.80±5.43

3.534±0.090; 1.366±0.033; 0.586±0.017

0.129

Dark brown

None

Ombro-hydrochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Convolvulaceae

Cuscuta australis R. Br.

AH

Seed

77.36±3.33

1.260±0.048; 1.028±0.038; 0.732±0.026

0.031

Light brown

None

Barochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Rubiaceae

Galium rivale (Sibth. et Smith) Griseb.

PH

Seed

35.44±0.13

1.056±0.031; 0.728±0.022; 0.592±0.037

0.041

Dark brown

Wart

Barochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Euasterids II

Campanulaceae

Codonopsis clematidea (Schrenk) C. B. Clarke

PH

Seed

50.18±0.41

1.384±0.036; 0.636±0.027; 0.584±0.027

0.074

Light brown

None

Barochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Asteraceae

Arctium lappa L.

BH

Achene

1153.06±9.95

6.272±0.063; 2.556±0.089; 1.320±0.022

0.117

Brown

Pappus

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Arctium tomentosum Mill.

BH

Achene

931.96±13.94

5.412±0.028; 2.376±0.076; 1.324±0.030

0.107

Brown

Pappus

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Artemisia annua L.

AH

Achene

5.00±0.14

1.208±0.016; 0.384±0.017; 0.308±0.021

0.119

Light brown

None

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Artemisia ordosica Krasch

SS

Achenecetum

245.66±4.02

1.546±0.033; 0.572±0.022; 0.370±0.014

0.115

Brown

None

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Cancrinia discoidea (Ledeb.) Poljak.

BH

Achene

21.74±0.29

2.932±0.175; 0.908±0.027; 0.878±0.022

0.111

Pale yellow

Pappus

Anemochory

—

Xerophyte

Centaurea squarosa Willd.

BPH

Achenecetum

1860.14±30.25

9.638±0.294; 5.160±0.087; 5.016±0.137

0.053

Pale yellow

Hook/spine

Zoochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Cichorium intybus L.

PH

Achene

93.22±2.10

2.988±0.044; 1.140±0.065; 0.552±0.044

0.127

Yellowish brown

Pappus

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Cousinia affinis Schrenk

PH

Achene

424.78±4.07

4.876±0.196; 2.560±0.077; 1.384±0.052

0.093

Greyish black

Hook/spine

Zoochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Garhadiolus papposus Boiss. et Buhse

AE

Achene

230.00±2.94

5.904±0.205; 3.158±0.113; 1.114±0.076

0.116

Light yellowish brown

Pappus/beak

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Koelpinia linearis Pall.

AE

Achene

552.36±3.95

10.262±0.329; 6.682±0.293; 2.244±0.217

0.111

Brown

Hook/spine

Zoochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Neopallasia pectinata (Pall.) Poljak.

AH

Achene

33.70±1.83

1.628±0.047; 0.758±0.021; 0.320±0.012

0.116

Dark brown

None

Anemochory

—

Mesophyte

Onopordum acanthium L.

BH

Achene

982.10±7.56

4.852±0.053; 2.556±0.039; 1.410±0.034

0.090

Grey/greyish black

None

Barochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Saussurea salsa (Pall.) Spreng.

PH

Achene

129.22±4.70

3.522±0.134; 1.302±0.053; 0.712±0.047

0.123

Greyish white

Pappus

Anemochory

Ant

Mesophyte

Xanthium mongolicum Kitag.

AH

Achene

19317.88±131.28

22.088±0.579; 13.344±0.219; 12.596±0.332

0.040

Yellowish green/green

Beak/hook/spine

Zoochory

—

Mesophyte

Apiaceae

Conium maculatum L.

BH

Schizocarp

278.92±8.04

2.852±0.069; 1.540±0.013; 1.104±0.044

0.071

Light yellowish brown

None

Barochory

—

Mesophyte

Soranthus meyeri Ledeb.

PH

Schizocarp

189.68±1.07

4.492±0.156; 3.366±0.158; 0.806±0.070

0.130

Pale yellow

None

Barochory

Ant

Xerophyte

Notes: AH: annuals; ABH: annuals/biennials; BH: biennials; BPH: biennials/perennials; PH: perennials; S: shrubs; SS: semishrubs; SA: small arbor; AE: annuals ephemerals; ABE: annuals/biennials ephemerals; BE: biennial ephemerals.