THE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HETEROGENEITY ON THE MORPHOLOGICAL SIMILARITY OF TOOTHED-LEAFED RED OAK SPECIES (ACUTIFOLIAE; Quercus) IN MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA


Por: Pérez-Pedraza A.E., Ochoa-Zavala M., Valencia-A S., Oyama K.

Publicada: 1 ene 2025
Resumen:
Background: In plants, environmental gradients can promote similar morphophysiological traits in species that inhabit areas with similar climatic conditions. Here, to evaluate possible causes of morphological similarity, we analyzed leaf morphological and functional variation in toothed-leaf oaks and its relationships with environmental and geographic variables. Hypotheses: We expected that species with a greater degree of environmental overlap would exhibit similar leaf morphology, and those with a broader range of environmental tolerance would exhibit greater leaf morphological variation. Studied species: Acutifoliae group (Fagaceae, Quercus) Study sites and dates: Leaf samples were collected from adult trees distributed in diverse forest types between 495 and 2,566 meters above sea level (m asl) in Mexico and Guatemala. Methods: We compared patterns of leaf variation in a total of 2,934 leaves from 640 individuals corresponding to 68 populations of ten oak species using univariate and multivariate analyses. We also characterized the environmental conditions where each of the species occurred using the available geographical records and bioclimatic variables. Results: We found morphological overlap in leaf traits in oak species occurring in similar climatic environments. Additionally, oak species with a greater range of environmental distributions showed greater leaf shape morphological variation. Conclusions: The environment influenced the generation of similar leaf morphologies among oak species despite geographical distance and phylogenetic relationships. © 2025 Sociedad Botanica de Mexico, A.C. All rights reserved.

Filiaciones:
Pérez-Pedraza A.E.:
 Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Michoacan, Morelia, Mexico

 Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico

Ochoa-Zavala M.:
 Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Michoacan, Morelia, Mexico

Valencia-A S.:
 Herbario de la Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología Comparada, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico

Oyama K.:
 Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Michoacan, Morelia, Mexico
ISSN: 20074298
Editorial
Sociedad Botanica de Mexico, A.C, APARTADO POSTAL 70-385 DELEGACION COYOACAN, CIUDAD UNIV, MEXICO, D F 00000, MEXICO, México
Tipo de documento: Article
Volumen: 103 Número: 1
Páginas: 60-82
WOS Id: 001384022500001
imagen gold, All Open Access; Gold Open Access