Phenotypic variation of flowering and vegetative morphological traits along the distribution for the endemic species Yucca capensis (Agavaceae)

Abstract

Phenotypic variation across the geographic range of a species depends upon genetic differences within and between populations as well as environmental heterogeneity. Estimating the variation in morphological and reproductive traits and determining the infl uence of abiotic factors on the expression of phenotype is particularly important in endemic species as a means of inferring their response to different environmental scenarios. This study analyzes the interpopulation variation in fl oral and vegetative traits of Yucca capensis Lenz and their relation to altitude and precipitation. At 12 different sites total plant length, stem length, stem circumference, rosette length, rosette diameter, leaf length and leaf width were measured and the number of plants with infl orescences and fruits was recorded. The results showed higher coeffi cients of variation for plant length, stem length and rosette length and lower coeffi cients of variation for leaf length and width. All of the vegetative traits differed signifi cantly between sites. It was found that 31 % and 12 % of the plants produced infl orescences and fruits respectively and infl orescence production differed between sites, presenting a positive relation with average annual precipitation. This study shows that there is large phenotypic variation in vegetative traits and that levels of rainfall have a clear infl uence on the production of reproductive structures throughout the geographic range of the endemic species Y. capensis. Key words: Baja California Sur, infl orescence, fruits, rainfall, environmental variation Resumen: La variación fenotípica en la distribución geográfi ca de una especie depende de diferencias genéticas dentro y entre las poblaciones, así como de la heterogeneidad ambiental. Estimar la variación de caracteres morfológicos y reproductivos y determinar la infl uencia de factores abióticos sobre la expresión del fenotipo es particularmente importante en especies endémicas para inferir su potencial de respuesta ante diferentes escenarios ambientales. En este estudio analizamos la variación inter-poblacional de caracteres vegetativos y de la fl oración de Yucca capensis Lenz, así como su relación con la precipitación y la altitud. En 12 localidades medimos la longitud total de la planta, longitud y circunferencia del tallo, longitud y diámetro de roseta, longitud y ancho de hoja y registramos el número de plantas con infl orescencias y frutos. Los resultados mostraron coefi cientes de variación mayores para la longitud de la planta, del tallo y de la roseta y menores para la longitud y el ancho de hoja. Además, todos los caracteres vegetativos difi rieron signifi cativamente entre localidades. Encontramos que un 31 % y 12 % de las plantas produjeron infl orescencias y frutos, respectivamente y la producción de infl orescencias difi rió entre localidades, presentando una relación positiva con la precipitación anual promedio. En este estudio se demostró que hay una gran variación fenotípica de caracteres vegetativos y una infl uencia ...

Leaf morpho-anatomical diversity in Echeveria aff. gigantea (Crassulaceae)

“…We found that a set of characters are highly variable. However, a third alternative is that our observed robustness or variability is not due to natural variation or phenotypic plasticity, but rather the age of the plant, as was previously seen in Yucca capensis seen in (Arteaga et al 2015).…”

Hybridization Between Yuccas From Baja California: Genomic and Environmental Patterns

“…Plants of Y. valida flower between April and July (Turner et al, 1995;personal observation). In turn, populations of Y. capensis mainly grow in a remnant of tropical deciduous forest along the mountains located in the southern part of the Baja California Peninsula (Lenz, 1998;De la Luz et al, 2012), and consist of groups of less than 15 individuals separated by considerable distances (Lenz, 1998;Arteaga et al, 2015). Flowering of Y. capensis, in part, is determined by rainfall, with the boom during September and October (Lenz, 1998;Arteaga et al, 2015).…”

“…In turn, populations of Y. capensis mainly grow in a remnant of tropical deciduous forest along the mountains located in the southern part of the Baja California Peninsula ( Lenz, 1998 ; De la Luz et al, 2012 ), and consist of groups of less than 15 individuals separated by considerable distances ( Lenz, 1998 ; Arteaga et al, 2015 ). Flowering of Y. capensis , in part, is determined by rainfall, with the boom during September and October ( Lenz, 1998 ; Arteaga et al, 2015 ). These two sister Yucca species are pollinated by the same yucca moth, Tegeticula baja Pellmyr ( Pellmyr et al, 2007 , 2008 ).…”

Phenotypic Characterisation for Growth and Nut Characteristics Revealed the Extent of Genetic Diversity in Wild Macadamia Germplasm

“…The genetic variation in a population is caused by multiple factors such as geneflow, genetic drift, mutation, reproductive biology, phylogenetic relatedness, and natural selection [20][21][22]. However, contemporary processes like environmental changes due to demographic factors may also play roles in genetic variation [23]. Several studies have found relationships between morphological variation and geographic locations [24,25].…”