Abstract
The aim of this study was to describe morphological variations of Opuntia jaliscana in 5 wild populations in the state of Jalisco (Mexico). Populations were selected along an environmental aridity gradient, and 61 vegetative and reproductive characters from 25 individuals were measured per population. Quantitative characters were analyzed independently by a one-way ANOVA test using the site as variation factor. Subsequently, a discriminant analysis was performed. The discriminant analysis results showed that the 46% of the total variation was explained by the first four discriminant functions. The analysis of overall membership between populations indicated that individuals were correctly classified in 87% of cases. Pearson linear correlation between the most significant variables and the aridity index, showed a positive relationship to cladode thickness and diameter of the trunk. The population from Tierra Blanca shows an outlier behavior because of variation in cladode thickness and fruit size, which might be related to plasticity of individuals to have a greater availability of water, while in Los Vallejo the separation might be due to selection by management and use. The remaining populations exhibited some morphological variability without separation.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to describe morphological variations of Opuntia jaliscana in 5 wild populations in the state of Jalisco (Mexico)
Populations were selected along an environmental aridity gradient, and 61 vegetative and reproductive characters from 25 individuals were measured per population
The discriminant analysis results showed that the 46% of the total variation was explained by the first four discriminant functions
Summary
Opuntia jaliscana está clasificada dentro de O. subgen. Artículos angostamente oblongos de 20 cm de longitud y 8 a 9 cm de anchura, de un verde claro, muy pubescentes y algo tuberculados. Distantes entre sí 2,5 cm, pequeñas, de circulares a piriformes, de 1,5-2 mm de longitud, circundadas por un angosto margen negruzco con escaso fieltro bayo y glóquidas cortas, amarillas. Flores en la terminación de los artículos y también en la superficie plana, de un rojizo anaranjado; filamentos interiores amarillos, los exteriores rojizos; anteras de color crema; estilo de un rojo intenso; lóbulos del estigma 7, al principio verdosos, después de un color crema rojizo; pericarpelo angostamente obovado, pubescente, de 3 × 2 cm, provisto solo hacia el ápice de numerosas aréolas circulares, con fieltro de un bayo obscuro y glóquidas muy cortas, sin espinas (BravoHollis, 1978). La importancia económica de O. jaliscana reside en su uso como hospedera de la grana cochinilla (Dactylopius coccus), así como por el consumo regional de sus frutos y sus cladodios tiernos como verdura (Portillo & Vigueras, 2006)
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