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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 73(4)

Seedling survival and growth phenology in a monocarpic tree species, Cerberiopsis candelabra (Apocynaceae)

Camille Salmon https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7751-112X A B * , Patrick Heuret https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7956-0451 B # , Vanessa Hequet https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3794-6089 B and Sandrine Isnard https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3142-2671 B #
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A UMR EcoFoG, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de la Guyane, Kourou, France.

B AMAP, Université de Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, IRD, Montpellier, France.

* Correspondence to: camille.salmon@agroparistech.fr

# Senior co-authors

Handling Editor: Garry Cook

Australian Journal of Botany 73, BT25001 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT25001
Submitted: 14 January 2025  Accepted: 23 May 2025  Published: 13 June 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Context

Cerberiopsis candelabra Vieill., a species endemic to New Caledonia, is one of the world’s rare monocarpic trees. Juveniles of this species should exhibit high survival and growth rates, a selective advantage of the monocarpic strategy.

Aims

We aimed to (1) quantify the survival and growth rates of C. candelabra juveniles over time and (2) Identify morpho-anatomical markers and temporal growth patterns to infer individual past development.

Methods

Over 20 months, we monitored the monthly survival of 134 juveniles in a post-disturbance open forest edge. We recorded phytomer production, internode elongation, height growth and leaf area for each juvenile. At the monitoring end, three individuals were finely morpho-anatomically described node by node.

Key results

Juvenile survival rate was 67.1%, with a density of over 7.83 individuals per square meter. Monthly mortality rates were higher during the warm-dry transitional season. Juveniles exhibited primary growth rates of up to 6.4 cm per month during the warm-wet season. Primary growth was continuous and secondary growth was seasonal, with visible growth ring boundaries forming during each cool-dry season.

Conclusions

High seedling survival and growth rates could explain the ecological dominance of the species in large gaps. Development in C. candelabra is sensitive to New Caledonia’s climate seasonality.

Implications

Analysis of annual growth patterns allows for inferring individuals’ past development and provides prospects for investigating ecological characteristics of the species.

Keywords: annual growth ring, growth phenology, monocarpy, mortality rate, New Caledonia, phyllochron, seasonality, tree development.

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