Abstract
Fluctuating asymmetry (FA), random nondirectional deviations from perfect symmetry, has been proposed as a useful indicator of environmental stress. Nevertheless, FA acts as a nonspecific indicator of stress; thus, factorial designs are needed to disentangle which of the factors may induce FA. We used an experimental approach in which seedlings of Quercus pyrenaica were exposed to two levels of light, water, and simulated herbivory. To determine whether FA may operate as a stress indicator, leaf width and number of lobes were measured. Our predictions were (1) different levels of light, water, and herbivory can bring different levels of FA and (2) fluctuating asymmetry can act as an early stress indicator. As predicted, FA was higher in shade than in sun, both for leaf width and number of leaf lobes. By contrast, pruning affected FA only for number of lobes. FA was higher in pruned seedlings in the sun but lower in pruned seedlings in the shade. The two FA indices used ( \documentclass{aastex} \usepackage...
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