Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41822533›Full record

ArticleEcology and evolution2026

Decluttering Seed Dispersal Modes: Bringing Clarity to Seed Dispersal Ecology.

Harsh Yadav, Asmita Sengupta, Kim R McConkey, H S Sushma, Shyam S Phartyal, Takehiro Sasaki

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Ecology and evolution, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Harsh YadavGraduate School of Environment and Information Sciences Yokohama National University Yokohama Kanagawa Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2710-6756
Asmita SenguptaSM Sehgal Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) Bengaluru India.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2477-7290
Kim R McConkeyBIOTEC, National Science and Technology Development Agency Pathom Thani Thailand.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3793-7732
H S SushmaFoundation for Ecological Research Advocacy and Learning (FERAL) Morattandi Tamil Nadu India.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6299-0850
Shyam S PhartyalDepartment of Forestry Mizoram University Aizawl India.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3266-6619
Takehiro SasakiGraduate School of Environment and Information Sciences Yokohama National University Yokohama Kanagawa Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8727-9152

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Seed dispersal research has expanded significantly over time, leading to a proliferation of terms relating to dispersal modes that has resulted in terminological confusion. This viewpoint identifies the primary concerns in this regard: synonymy (multiple terms used for the same mode) and polysemy (the same term used for distinctly different modes). Such inconsistencies hinder conceptual clarity, impede literature syntheses, and obstruct the practical application of seed dispersal ecology. To address these challenges, we propose two complementary pathways. First, we suggest organizing a world cafe to foster consensus-building among researchers engaging with seed dispersal ecology. Second, we introduce the Diaspore-Vector-Review (DVR) framework as a decision-support tool to prioritize nomenclature for non-overlapping dispersal mechanisms rather than agent-centric definitions of dispersal modes. By refining the branching of subclasses from classical modes into a coherent, hierarchical classification system, we can ensure greater scientific rigor and real-world impact of seed dispersal research.

Indexed as

classificationpolysemyseed dispersal modessynonymyterminological redundancyterminological uncertainty

Identifiers

PMID41822533
PMCPMC12978860

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.