Relationships between endophyte diversity and leaf properties.

Autores

Sánchez-Azofeifa, G.A., Oki, Y., Fernandes, G.W., Ball, R.A. and Gamon, J.

Publicado en

TREES Structure an Evolution, v. 26(2)

Año de publicación

2012

Afiliaciones

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Centre for Earth Observation Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Ecologia Evolutiva and Biodiversidade/DBG, ICB/Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, CP 486, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil

Programa

CRN3

Proyecto

CRN3095

Keywords

Leaf optics, Plant–endophyte interaction, Rupestrian field, Spectral reflectance

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-011-0591-5
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Resumen

A single tropical plant species can harbour hundreds of endophyte species within its tissues. Beyond this, little is known about the relationship between endophyte colonization, leaf traits and spectral properties of leaves. We explore these relationships in Coccoloba cereifera, a plant well known for its symbiotic properties. Endophyte richness in C. cereifera was statistically correlated with leaf traits such as water content, the ratio of fresh weight/dry weight and polyphenol/leaf specific weight. Endophyte diversity was also related to spectral vegetation indices of chlorophyll content. The associations among endophyte diversity, leaf traits and spectral reflectance pose new questions and present new opportunities to better understand plant&ndashfungal symbioses and related leaf optical properties.