A Report on Seed Abnormality in Gymnacranthera farquhariana Hook. f. and Thomson (Myristicaceae) : an Endangered Swampy Species of Western Ghats, India

Recently, abnormal seeds in Gymnacranthera farquhariana Hook. f. and Thomson (Myristicaceae) an endangered swampy species of Western Ghats, India has been observed for the first time. Abnormal seeds had a characteristic 'cap', which is absent in normal seeds. A comparative analysis of seed parameters indicated that fitness of abnormal seeds is no more different from normal category. However, under ambient conditions where the normal seeds showed proper germination, abnormal ones fail to germinate. Although, the factors responsible for such abnormalities in G. farquhariana are not clearly understood, yet based on laboratory and field observations we predicated that the species may suffer due to inbreeding depression. Further genetic studies are needed to confirm these predictions.