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.
Recommended Citation
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
Copyright
Wiley
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.