Drying conditions alter the defensive function of seed mucilage against granivores

Abstract Environmental conditions alter the function of many plant traits that drive species interactions, producing context‐dependency in outcomes those interactions. Seed mucilage is a common, convergently evolved trait found thousands species. When wetted, seed coat swells into viscid mass; when dried, strands strongly cement to whatever it contact with. This binding ground has been previously shown protect seeds from granivory. Previous research both volume—and correlated attachment strength—are higher hot, dry, areas suggesting an environmental component this trait's function. Here, we (1) quantified effect temperature on across lab setting, (2) tested potential mechanism behind correlation by accelerating desiccation speed without changing temperature, and (3) whether these relationships introduce context dependency defensive field, using field trials with harvester ants. We increasing during drying reduced force needed dislodge for most species, time was likely driving loss strength at temperatures, not per se, attached substrate temperatures or under accelerated were far more susceptible Synthesis . These results show only abiotic modification functional seeds, but change majorly alters key interaction contributing survival. add small, growing, literature importance survival demonstrate strong largely predictable