Abstract
Aspidosperma polyneuron is a Tropical Dry Forest endangered species. Knowledge on its requirements to grow and its responses to multiple stresses is important in order to develop effective strategies for its propagation and restauration. We evaluated the morpho-functional and plastic response of two populations of A. polyneuron seedlings along an experimental gradient of light (100, 55 and 10%) and water (field capacity, 60% and drought, 20%). We measured 16 morphological and biomass allocation traits associated to the plant's performance. Survival results showed that the negative effects of drought are less in conditions of intermediate irradiation and become more severe at higher or lower light levels. Morpho-functional and plastic responses supported the existence of complex syndromes that point to an enhanced water uptake and drought tolerance. Furthermore, seedlings from Luriza (low soil storage capacity for resources) expressed a greater magnitude in morphological traits whereas Tocagua (high soil storage capacity) showed higher values in biomass allocation traits. They also differed in their phenotypic response to light and the magnitude and pattern of plasticity in multiple traits. These distinctions are possibly the result of phenotypic differences driven by process of local specialization.
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