Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-21-2022
Abstract
Evolutionary relationships are likely to play a significant role in shaping plant physiological and structural traits observed in contemporary taxa. We review research on phylogenetic signal and correlated evolution in plant-water relations traits, which play important roles in allowing plants to acquire, use and conserve water. We found more evidence for a phylogenetic signal in structural traits (e.g., stomatal length, stomatal density) than in physiological traits (e.g., stomatal conductance, water potential at turgor loss). Although water potential at turgor loss is the most-studied plant-water relations trait in an evolutionary context, it is the only trait consistently found to not have a phylogenetic signal. Correlated evolution was common among traits related to water movement efficiency and hydraulic safety in both leaves and stems. We conclude that evidence for phylogenetic signal varies depending on 1) the methodology used for its determination, i.e., model-based approaches to determine phylogenetic signal such as Blomberg's K or Pagel's λ vs. statistical approaches such as ANOVAs with taxonomic classification as a factor; 2) on the number of taxa studied (size of the phylogeny); and 3) the setting in which plants grow (field vs. common garden). More explicitly and consistently considering the role of evolutionary relationships in shaping plant ecophysiology could improve our understanding of how traits compare among species, how traits are coordinated with one another, and how traits vary with environment.
Recommended Citation
Ávila-Lovera, E., Winter, K. and Goldsmith, G.R. (2022), Evidence for phylogenetic signal and correlated evolution in plant-water relations traits. New Phytol. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.18565
TableS 1
Copyright
Wiley
Comments
This is the accepted version of the following article:
Ávila-Lovera, E., Winter, K. and Goldsmith, G.R. (2022), Evidence for phylogenetic signal and correlated evolution in plant-water relations traits. New Phytol. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.18565
which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.18565. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.