Abstract
Gochnatia polymorpha (Less.) Cabrera is a widespread Asteraceae species found in different physiognomies of cerrado (Neotropical savanna) and in forest formations of southeast Brazil. This study describes some leaf anatomy characteristics of this species and quantitatively evaluates them in relation to different environments, as well as under different light conditions. We found quantitative differences in all anatomical parameters analyzed. The results demonstrate that high leaf anatomy plasticity is an adaptive advantage that allows this species to occur in diverse cerrado conditions.
Highlights
Phenotypic plasticity is related to the ability of an organism to alter its physiology or morphology due to interaction with environmental factors such as light, water and temperature (Stearns 1989, Scheiner 1993)
Among its physiognomies we find two main forest types: “cerradão” and gallery forest
The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of different environmental factors, in different leaf structures, in a population of this widespread species
Summary
Phenotypic plasticity is related to the ability of an organism to alter its physiology or morphology due to interaction with environmental factors such as light, water and temperature (Stearns 1989, Scheiner 1993). Plant species with great capacity for plasticity in characters linked to survival factors present great adaptive advantages in transitional, heterogeneous and unstable environments. Soil fertility, drainage and fire regimes are the key factors determining the distribution of the biome (Ratter 1992, Furley 1999). Most of the “Cerrado” soils are deep and well-drained, with superficial layers that dry out completely during the dry season, being dystrophic, with low pH and low availability of calcium and magnesium and presenting high aluminum concentrations (Furley & Ratter 1988, Haridasan 1992). The nutrient-poor, acid soils represent a limiting factor for plant growth in this region (Haridasan 2001), the species that live there should have specific adaptations (Ratter et al 1997)
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