Evolutionary correlations of polycyclic shoot growth in Acer (Sapindaceae)
1Centro de Investigaciones sobre Desertificación (CSIC-UV-GV), Apartado Oficial, 46470 Albal (Valencia), Spain;
American Journal of Botany
|June 4, 2011
Summary
Polycyclic maple trees exhibit traits for maximizing light capture, suggesting an "optimistic" growth strategy. Monocyclic maples, conversely, display "pessimistic" traits suited for shade tolerance in understory environments.
Area of Science:
- Plant Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Forest Science
Background:
- Understory trees adapt to light availability through distinct strategies: light capture maximization and shade tolerance.
- In the genus Acer (maples), traits like twig thickness and leaf size favor light capture, while minimizing crown density.
- Conversely, shade tolerance is associated with reduced crown area, volume, and leaf area per height.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary correlation between polycyclic shoot growth and light-capturing traits in maples.
- To determine if polycyclism, characterized by multiple growth flushes, is linked to traits favoring light acquisition.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analyses were employed to examine correlations between polycyclic growth and suites of adaptive traits.
- Comparative analysis across different phylogenetic trees was used to test the hypothesis.
Main Results:
- Polycyclic shoot growth was found to be significantly correlated with traits that maximize light capture.
- This suggests polycyclic maples adopt an "optimistic" strategy of vigorous vertical growth in high-light conditions.
- Monocyclic maples exhibit "pessimistic" traits, adapted for survival in low-light understory environments.
Conclusions:
- The study supports the hypothesis that polycyclism in maples is evolutionarily linked to light-capturing strategies.
- Polycyclic species demonstrate broader environmental recruitment ranges compared to monocyclic species.
- These findings highlight divergent evolutionary pathways in response to light availability within the Acer genus.
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