Climate drives vein anatomy in Proteaceae
Gregory J Jordan1, Timothy J Brodribb, Christopher J Blackman
1School of Plant Science, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia. greg.jordan@utas.edu.au
American Journal of Botany
|August 13, 2013
Summary
Plant xylem cell structure, measured as (t/b)(3), is a key indicator of drought tolerance. This trait strongly correlates with rainfall, revealing a fundamental adaptation in water-stressed environments.
Area of Science:
- Plant anatomy
- Ecology
- Evolutionary biology
Background:
- Plant water deficit tolerance is crucial for survival.
- Leaf xylem's capacity to conduct water under stress is a key factor.
- The ratio of cell wall thickness to lumen width cubed, (t/b)(3), predicts water conduction capacity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between (t/b)(3) and environmental/leaf traits in Proteaceae.
- To determine the drivers of variation in (t/b)(3) across diverse species.
- To understand the role of xylem reinforcement in drought tolerance.
Main Methods:
- Studied ecologically, phylogenetically, and anatomically diverse Proteaceae species.
- Used phylogenetic and non-phylogenetic regressions to analyze relationships.
- Examined 50 species and 14 within-genus pairs.
Main Results:
- Mean annual precipitation was the strongest predictor of (t/b)(3).
- Both lumen diameter and wall thickness contributed to (t/b)(3) variation, indicating active control.
- Vein density and leaf area were weakly related to (t/b)(3) and climate.
Conclusions:
- Xylem reinforcement is a fundamental adaptation for water stress tolerance.
- A strong association exists between rainfall and xylem anatomy in evergreen woody plants.
- The (t/b)(3)-climate link is not explained by other leaf anatomical traits.
More Related Videos
11:49Using High Resolution Computed Tomography to Visualize the Three Dimensional Structure and Function of Plant Vasculature
Published on: April 5, 2013
06:02Anatomical Reconstructions of the Human Cardiac Venous System using Contrast-computed Tomography of Perfusion-fixed Specimens
Published on: April 18, 2013
Related Concept Videos
01:17Veins
Veins are an integral part of our circulatory system, serving as the blood vessels that transport blood from all body regions to the heart. They are a network of hollow tubes that carry blood low in oxygen from the body's cells back to the heart for reoxygenation. Veins are crucial for maintaining the body's overall fluid balance and the continuous circulation of blood.
Structure of Veins:
The structure of veins is specifically designed to assist in the low-pressure transportation of blood...
Structure of Veins:
The structure of veins is specifically designed to assist in the low-pressure transportation of blood...
03:24Seedless Vascular Plants
Seedless Vascular Plants Were the First Tall Plants on Earth
01:10Veins as Blood Reservoirs
Veins, while chiefly responsible for circulating blood back to the heart, also function as storage vessels for blood. They house approximately 64 percent of the body's total blood volume, a feat made possible by their high capacitance—the inherent ability to expand and accommodate large volumes of blood, even under low pressure. The large diameter and thin walls of veins augment their distensibility, significantly more so than arteries, due to their classification as capacitance vessels. When...
01:17Veins of Upper Limbs
The human circulatory system, a marvel of biological engineering, is a complex network of vessels that transport blood throughout the body. Among these, the veins responsible for carrying blood from the upper limbs are divided into two categories: deep and superficial.
The deep venous system is primarily composed of the ulnar and radial veins. The ulnar vein, which drains the fingers through the superficial palmar venous arches, and the radial vein, which serves the palms via the deep palmar...
The deep venous system is primarily composed of the ulnar and radial veins. The ulnar vein, which drains the fingers through the superficial palmar venous arches, and the radial vein, which serves the palms via the deep palmar...
01:15Veins of Lower Limbs
The human body consists of an intricate network of veins responsible for the crucial task of blood drainage from the lower limbs. These veins can be categorized into two main types: deep veins and superficial veins.
Formed by the union of the medial and lateral plantar veins, the posterior tibial vein, rising through the calf muscle, assimilates the fibular vein. The anterior tibial vein, a superior extension of the foot's dorsalis pedis vein, merges with the posterior tibial vein at the knee,...
Formed by the union of the medial and lateral plantar veins, the posterior tibial vein, rising through the calf muscle, assimilates the fibular vein. The anterior tibial vein, a superior extension of the foot's dorsalis pedis vein, merges with the posterior tibial vein at the knee,...
01:20Overview of the Vascular System
The vascular system comprises an extensive network of arteries, capillaries, and veins. The vascular system can be broadly divided into the blood and lymphatic systems. Typically, blood vessels can be categorized into three histological regions: tunica intima, tunica media, and tunica adventitia. The tunica intima consists of a single layer of endothelial cells attached to the basal lamina. Underlying the basal lamina is a connective tissue layer and an elastic lamina that gives stability and...