Abstract
The large columnar cactus Carnegiea gigantea branches to increase reproductive output. The branches of this keystone species also provide shelter to a large portion of the Sonoran Desert's fauna. In this study, branch length was used to reconstruct branch establishment at 2 populations to determine branching patterns over time and the relationship across populations. Branches showed high establishment but relatively low survival. Either more branches establish than eventually survive or growth is slow when branches are smaller, thereby biasing the distribution of lengths due to the differences in growth rate. Also, the distribution of branch lengths (i.e., branch generation over time) reflects a cohort pattern, indicating that there are favorable and poor years for branch production. Further, a significant relationship in peaks and troughs is detected between the 2 very different populations, suggesting a regional influence over branching that extends beyond a population or local area.
Published Version
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