Life history traits influence the strength of distance- and density-dependence at different life stages of two Amazonian palms

Background and Aims Natural enemies are known to be important in regulating plant populations and contributing to species coexistence (Janzen–Connell effects). The strength of Janzen–Connell effects (both distance- and density-effects) varies across species, but the life history traits that may mediate such a variation are not well understood. This study examined Janzen–Connell effects across the life stages (seed through adult stages) of two sympatric palm species with distinct phenologies and shade tolerances, two traits that may mediate the strength and timing of Janzen–Connell effects. Methods Populations of two common palm species, Attalea phalerata and Astrocaryum murumuru, were studied in Manu National Park, Peru. Seed predation experiments were conducted to assess Janzen–Connell effects at the seed stage. In the post-seed stages, spatial point pattern analyses of the distributions of individuals and biomass were used to infer the strength of distance- and density-effects. Key Results Seed predation was both negative distance- and density-dependent consistent with the Janzen–Connell effects. However, only seedling recruitment for asynchronously fruiting Attalea phalerata was depressed near adults while recruitment remained high for synchronously fruiting Astrocaryum murumuru, consistent with weak distance-effects. Negative density-effects were strong in the early stages for shade-intolerant Attalea phalerata but weak or absent in shade-tolerant Astrocaryum murumuru. Conclusions Distance- and density-effects varied among the life stages of the two palm species in a manner that corresponded to their contrasting phenology and shade tolerance. Generalizing such connections across many species would provide a route to understanding how trait-mediated Janzen–Connell effects scale up to whole communities of species.