Modificaciones en la corteza de Prosopis laevigata por el establecimiento de Tillandsia recurvata

Abstract

BOTÁNICA ESTRUCTURALeneralmente el epifitismo se entiende como una relación inocua entre dos especies, para la que se describe una trama ecológica compleja que mantiene la diversidad biológica en un equilibrio interactivo (Benzing, 1990;Waechter, 1998). Sin embargo, se ha reportado que la sobrepoblación de Tillandsia recurvata L. sobre las ramas de Parkinsonia praecox es causa de modificaciones en la arquitectura y el crecimiento de individuos en esta especie Resumen: El crecimiento de Tillandsia recurvata sobre las ramas de Prosopis laevigata parece causar varios grados de daño. El o b j e t ivo de este trabajo fue estudiar y comparar los posibles cambios anatómicos en la corteza del fo ro fito provocados por la i n t e ra c c i ó n con la epifita. En la corteza carente de la epifita se distinguen floema no colapsado y floema colapsado, córtex y peridermis, semejante a lo descrito para otras especies de leguminosas. La fijación de T. recurvata en la corteza de P. laevigata provoca diferentes respuestas en su estructura anatómica, afectando diferentes tejidos. Los cambios se manifiestan por la formación de súber de reacción y de células con contenido obscuro, probablemente de naturaleza fenólica y como barrera química al establecimiento de enfermedades. Cuando la fijación de la epifita es mayor, se observan diferentes grados de invaginación que pueden llegar a la madera y alterar su patrón típico, es decir, causar una reducción en el número y diámetro de los vasos. El impacto que la epifita causa sobre el forofito puede favorecer el ataque de patógenos en los tejidos de los hospederos. Abstract:The growth of Tillandsia recurvata on Prosopis laevigata branches seems to cause various degrees of damage. In this study the possible anatomical modifications in the bark of the phorophyte P. laevigata caused by the epiphyte T. recurvata are studied. When the epiphyte has not yet established, the bark of P. laevigata displays the typical distinctive non-collapsed and collapsed phloem, cortex and periderm similar to those described for other leguminous species. However, once T. recurvata is established on P. laevigata branches there are modifications in various tissues: the occurrence of a wound periderm and the occlusion of cortex and collapsed phloem cells with dark extractives as a chemical barrier for defence against infections. When the epiphyte has been vigorously attached for a long time to the bark, the damage is deeper in the tissues, thus affecting the wood. The most notorious change in the wood is related to a different distribution of secondary xylem cells and a reduction in the number and diameter of vessels. The impact of the epiphyte in the phorophyte may favor the occurrence of pathogen attacks in the phorophyte tissues.

Estimation of the transfer of vascular epiphytes, as a conservation strategy in the municipality of Aguazul, Casanare, Colombia.

“…Herbivore related percentages were low, Orchidaceae presented in the first monitoring one percentage of 1.01%, 0.09% in the second and 0.06% in the third evaluation. (1). As for the Bromeliaceae family only presented, in the second monitoring, herbivory of 0.11% for the Tillandsia rhomboidea species, while the cactus family did not record any kind.…”

“…In the Bromeliaceae and Cactaceae family no bloomming was recorded for any of the three monitoring; in the case of the Orchidaceae family flowering was low, showing a slight increase in the third monitoring with a value of 0.25%, among the species that bloomed during the study the following were found: Encyclia cordigera (1), Encyclia leucantha (1) Trizeuxis falcata (6), Catasetum sp.2 (1), Pleurothallis sp.1 (1) and Polystachya foliosa (11). This flowering behavior could be related to climatic fluctuations and stress generated at the time of transplantation, even apart from the times of flowering, which in some cases can take years.…”

“…Significantly, lower mortality rates can indicate high affinity presented by the epiphytes with the architectural features, leaves and bark of the host. The affinity between some species epiphyes and there phorophytes can induce anatomical changes such as the creation of phellem reaction and phenolic substances, such as chemical and diseases establishing root growth promoter of epiphytic barrier (Aguilar, et al 2007;Flores et al 2014). Similarly, the dynamics of bark phorophytes species exerts an influence on the population dynamics of epiphytes in nature (Zotz & Schmidt, 2006;Winkler, Hülber & Hietz, 2009).…”

Is ball moss (Tillandsia recurvata) a structural parasite of mesquite (Prosopis laevigata)? Anatomical and ecophysiological evidence

“…Ecophysiological and anatomical studies are still necessary to determine how ball moss causes these effects on its hosts. Some previous studies have shown that fixation of T. recurvata roots around P. laevigata branches leads to deep invaginations of penetrating roots of T. recurvata in the bark, interrupting the continuity of the cortex and phloem, and causing damage to the periderm (Aguilar-Rodríguez et al 2007). The invaginations are characterized by the formation of clefts where the collapsed phloem (in different degrees) is separated, losing its continuity.…”

“…This species is a conspicuous tree that can reach 6-9 m tall, but shrub growth-forms are also common (Burkart 1976). Populations of this mesquite species in Mexico are thought to be in decline (Aguilar-Rodríguez et al 2007;Flores-Palacios et al 2014), as a result of heavy loads of the epiphytic plant Tillandsia recurvata (L.) L. (Bromeliaceae) in their branches, averaging up to 0.4 Ton/ha of biomass (Flores-Palacios et al 2015). Declining of P. laevigata populations could affect ecosystem services and also the income of the people inhabiting the Mexican drylands.…”