Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-10-2018

Abstract

1.The network of minor veins of angiosperm leaves may include loops (reticulation). Variation in network architecture has been hypothesized to have hydraulic and also structural and defensive functions.

2.We measured venation network trait space in eight dimensions for 136 biomass-dominant angiosperm tree species along a 3,300 m elevation gradient in southeastern Peru. We then examined the relative importance of multiple ecological, and evolutionary predictors of reticulation.

3.Variation in minor venation network reticulation was constrained to three axes. These axes described branching vs. reconnecting veins, elongated vs. compact areoles, and high vs. low density veins. Variation in the first two axes was predicted by traits related to mechanical strength and secondary compounds, and in the third axis by site temperature.

4.Synthesis. Defensive and structural factors primarily explain variation in multiple axes of reticulation, with a smaller role for climate-linked hydraulic factors. These results suggest that venation network reticulation may be determined more by species interactions than by hydraulic functions.

Comments

This is the accepted version of the following article:

Blonder, B., Salinas, N., Patrick Bentley, L., Shenkin, A., Chambi Porroa, P. O., Valdez Tejeira, Y., Boza Espinoza, T. E., Goldsmith, G. R., Enrico, L., Martin, R., Asner, G. P., Díaz, S., Enquist, B. J., & Malhi, Y. (2018) Structural and defensive roles of angiosperm leaf venation network reticulation across an Andes-Amazon elevation gradient. Journal of Ecology doi:10.1111/1365-2745.12945

which has been published in final form at DOI: 10.1111/1365-2745.12945. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.

Copyright

Wiley

Included in

Botany Commons

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.