Oak leaf morphology may be more strongly shaped by climate than by phylogeny
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Date
2024
Authors
Martín Sánchez, RubénSancho Knapik, Domingo
Alonso Forn, David
López Ballesteros, Ana
Ferrio Díaz, Juan Pedro
Hipp, Andrew L.
Peguero Pina, José Javier
Gil Pelegrín, Eustaquio
Journal Title
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Typology
articleArticle
Abstract
Context
Environmental restrictions imposed by climate have been shown to modulate leaf morphology. A reduction of leaf area in hot and dry climates reduces overheating because of a thinner boundary layer. Lobed shapes enhance hydraulic conductivity and faster cooling. Elongated leaves drain more quickly under high precipitation. Trichomes may help to reduce the effects of excessive sun exposure in hot and dry environments. Leaf mass per area (LMA) increases in stressful environments.
Aim
To assess the influence of global climate and clade on oak leaf syndromes comprising morphological traits with ecological roles.
Methods
We analyzed seven morphological traits in 141 oak species grown in a botanical garden, characterized into five macroclimates, and explored the partial effects of clade and climate.
Results
We found significant associations between macroclimate and every morphological trait measured. Temperate species tend to have large, obovate, lobed, malacophyllous leaves. Species occurring in dry habitats usually present small, rounded, pubescent, sclerophyllous leaves. Warm and wet climates induce the development of slender, lanceolate, glabrous leaves with an acuminate apex.
Conclusion
The functional roles of the different morphological traits are partially confirmed in genus Quercus as a response to the different macroclimates, where different leaf syndromes can be distinguished.
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Bibliographic citation
Martín-Sánchez, R., Sancho-Knapik, D., Alonso-Forn, D., López-Ballesteros, A., Ferrio, J. P., Hipp, A. L., Peguero-Pina, J. J., & Gil-Pelegrín, E. (2024). Oak leaf morphology may be more strongly shaped by climate than by phylogeny. Annals of Forest Science, 81(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13595-024-01232-z
AGROVOC subjects
QuercusMacroclima
Enfermedades foliares
Datos de la investigación
Other field subjects
Datos de la investigaciónEnfermedades Foliares
Función Fisiológica
Macroclima
Quercus
Sponsorship
Esta investigación ha contado con el apoyo de la subvención CNS2022-136156, la subvención PID2019-106701RR-I00 y la subvención TED2021-129499A-I00 financiadas por MCIN/AEI/https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033 y Next Generation EU/PRTR de la Unión Europea, y el grupo de investigación S74_23R del Gobierno de Aragón. El trabajo de Rubén Martín-Sánchez fue apoyado por una beca de doctorado del Gobierno de Aragón. El trabajo de David Alonso-Forn. fue apoyado por un contrato FPI-INIA BES-2017-081208. El trabajo de Ana López-Ballesteros fue apoyado por el contrato postdoctoral Juan de la Cierva JC2020-045630-I.