Abstract:
Seven lianas and four small trees collected from a tropical
rainforest of Southwest Mexico were studied to relate vessel diameter
and vessel frequency to the relative hydraulic conductivity (RC), vulnerability
to cavitation and anatomical traits on the secondary xylem. The seven
liana species and four small tree species represented ten different families.
Two liana species (Passiflora ligularis A. Juss. and Vitis tiliifolia
Humb. and Bonpl.) showed the highest vessel diameters, RC and vulnerability
to cavitation. A small tree (Petrea volubilis L.) presented the
lowest values for vessel diameter, RC and cavitation. Narrow vessels determined
the vessel frequency per mm2 (-0.58) while wider vessels showed
low influence (-0.24). Wider and narrow vessels determined RC and vulnerability
to cavitation (r = 0.59 to 0.76). Generally, wider vessels presented solitary
distribution on the secondary xylem in liana and small tree species and
narrow vessels were grouped in clusters. Liana species presented parenchyma
in diverse forms, while parenchyma was scanty in the small tree species.
The eleven species showed a broad range in RC and vulnerability to cavitation
and showed diversity in anatomical traits on secondary xylem indicating
that they have different anatomical adaptations with similar growth habit.
Mario Gutierrez, Ruben San Miguel-Chavez and Teresa Terrazas, 2009. Xylem Conductivity and Anatomical Traits in Diverse Lianas and Small Tree Species from a Tropical Forest of Southwest Mexico. International Journal of Botany, 5: 279-286.
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