Figueira, J.E.C., Bede, L.C., Santos, F.A.M. & Brito, R.F. 1998. Can intraspecific competition be inferred by spatial pattern analysis?: an example with Paepalanthus polyanthus (Eriocaulaceae) from Brazil. Proceedings of the VII International Congress of Ecology, Florence, Itália, p.136.

Abstract: Paepalanthus polyanthus is a rosette plant that occurs in the altitudinal (high-elevation) fields of Serra do Cipó, SE Brazil. The distribution pattern of this plant within their patches suggests the occurrence of intraspecific competition. Over time, intraspecific competition would increase the dispersion of individuals within the population, as a result of higher mortality rates for those individuals who are close together and improved development of the more isolated individuals. This leads to two questions: Do these patterns really indicate intraspecific competition? and could they be generated by other processes? Simulations using an individual based model of population dynamics, with random mortality of individuals, a high mortality rate for young, and no spatial interactions, generated patterns similar to those observed in the populations of P. polyanthus. Although we cannot rule out the occurrence of intraspecific competition to explain the observed patterns, we suggest that inferences based on the analysis of spatial patterns alone can lead to misleading conclusions.