Morphological traits variation in populations of the Dioon edule complex in Mexico

Resumen

The Dioon edule complex (Zamiaceae) includes two species: Dioon edule and D. angustifolium. Its geographical distribution consists of scattered populations in the Sierra Madre Oriental (SMO) from central Nuevo León to central Veracruz in Mexico. Intraspecific variability in the morphological characters is expected in a heterogeneous environment such as the SMO. In this study, we aimed to analyze a) morphological variation throughout its distribution area, b) the environmental variables with effect on morphological adjustment processes, and c) to define its geographical distribution. We measured adult plants' stem height and diameter, and leaf number and length in 39 populations. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to explore the variability of morphological traits. A further 63 populations were classified using discriminant classification analysis. Redundancy analysis was applied to explore the association between environmental variables and morphological traits. We classified three phenotypic groups: tall stem, wide diameter, long and numerous leaves; medium stem and diameter, few and short leaves; short stem, narrow diameter, few and short leaves. The populations were 99-100 % correctly classified. Morphological traits are related to geographical, environmental, and geological variables, mainly latitude, longitude, geological province, mean temperature, and precipitation of the coldest quarter.

Citation: Yáñez-Espinosa, L., Rubio-Méndez, G. & Balderas-González, D. 2025. Morphological traits variation in populations of the Dioon edule complex in Mexico. Revista Jard. Bot. Nac. Univ. Habana 46(Número especial 1): 54.

Trabajo presentado en el XIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Botánica. Simposio Sistemática, Biología, Horticultura y Conservación de las cícadas.