Fig. 1.
Fitness impacts and mechanics of fungal infection. (A) Seed survival (proportion of seeds germinating or still viable at end of germination trials ± 1 SE) as a function of Fusarium infection score (survival = 0.53−0.31 × fungal score, r2 = 0.97, P < 0.0005; n = 3414 seeds). Fusarium seed infection was scored from 0 (no infection) to 10 (uniformly black on both sides of the seed) using the seed standard pictured above the abscissa. (B) Acroleucus coxalis (Stäl) (Lygaeidae) nymph, the most common hemipteran foraging on chilies, piercing a chili fruit. (C) Ripe fruit with fungal infection spreading under surface of fruit at holes (hemipteran foraging scars). (D) Mean infection score on seeds in mature fruit as a function of hemipteran foraging scars on each fruit. Open symbols = nonpungent fruits; dark red symbols = pungent fruits. Regression forced through the origin (nonpungent F1,26 = 29, B = 0.075, P < 0.001; pungent F1,35 = 80, B = 0.041, P < 0.001).