Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-1-2023
Abstract
Some mistletoe species (Loranthaceae) resemble their host plants to a striking degree. Various mechanisms have been proposed for the developmental origins of novel traits that cause mistletoes to appear similar to their hosts, as well as for the adaptive phenotypic evolution of such traits. Calder (1983) proposed a logically flawed group selectionist seed-dispersal hypothesis for mistletoes to resemble their hosts. Calder's (1983) hypothesis does not provide a viable potential explanation for mistletoe resemblance to hosts.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Ecology and Evolution
Recommended Citation
Harms, K., Watson, D., Santiago-Rosario, L., & Mathews, S. (2023). Exposing the error hidden in plain sight: A critique of Calder's (1983) group selectionist seed-dispersal hypothesis for mistletoe “mimicry” of host plants. Ecology and Evolution, 13 (11) https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10760