Conserved leaf traits and phytochemical plasticity of Polylepis sericea Wedd. (Rosaceae) across an altitudinal gradient in the Venezuelan Andes

Diego  García Mora; Francisca  Ely; Carmelo Rosquete

doi:10.53157/ecotropicos.n68r-7fp9

Authors

Diego García Mora University of La Rioja Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3624-013X
- Data Curation
- Formal Analysis
- Investigation
- Methodology
- Software
- Visualization
- Writing – Original Draft Preparation
- Writing – Review & Editing
Francisca Ely University of the Andes Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9567-7150
- Conceptualization
- Formal Analysis
- Funding Acquisition
- Methodology
- Resources
- Supervision
- Validation
- Writing – Original Draft Preparation
- Writing – Review & Editing
Carmelo Rosquete Porcar University of the Andes Author
- Writing – Review & Editing
- Validation
- Supervision
- Resources
- Methodology
- Formal Analysis

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53157/ecotropicos.n68r-7fp9

Keywords:

tropical andes, flavonoids, UV stress, foliar morphoanatomical traits, phenylpropanoids, polyphenols

Abstract

This study examined the foliar anatomical plasticity, based on standard leaf traits, as well as the phytochemical plasticity, based on the accumulation and composition of polyphenolic compounds in Polylepis sericea along an altitudinal gradient (3,549–4,223 m.a.s.l.) in the Venezuelan Andes. Morphoanatomical analyses showed no variations in specific leaf area (SLA), cuticle thickness, epidermal cells height in general, nor in the proportion of palisade chlorenchyma respective spongy chlorenchyma, indicating a highly conserved anatomical structure. Phytochemical profiling revealed the accumulation of polyphenolic chelating agents—mainly dihydroxy-substituted flavonoids and phenylpropanoids within chlorenchyma tissues, especially in the two upper layers of palisade parenchyma. Variations in total phenolic content did not follow a linear altitudinal trend, since the highest concentration corresponded to the sample collected at the lowest elevation. However, the highest concentrations of oxidized flavonoids were observed in the chlorenchyma tissues of the samples collected at the highest elevation of the gradient. These differences, and presence of glycosylated or oxidized flavonols in the samples collected at 3,459 m a.s.l. indicate that the synthesis and type of polyphenolic compounds in P. sericea are influenced by site-specific environmental factors, and suggest that these secondary metabolites play a key role in the mitigation of the photooxidative stress generated in extreme high montane environments. Our findings reveal conservative anatomical traits coupled with phytochemical plasticity that may help us understand adaptations developed by high-elevation woody plants.

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Author Biographies

Diego García Mora, University of La Rioja

Licenciado en Biología, Universidad de Los Andes (ULA), Mérida, Venezuela. Estudiante de doctorado de Ciencias Biomédicas y Biotecnología en la Universidad de La Rioja, España.
Francisca Ely, University of the Andes

Licenciada en Biología, MSc en Manejo de Bosques y PhD en Ecología Tropical, Universidad de Los Andes (ULA), Mérida Venezuela. Profesora Titular de Botánica y Directora General del Instituto Jardín Botánico de Mérida, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes.
Carmelo Rosquete Porcar, University of the Andes

PhD en Química Orgánica, Universidad de salamanca. España, Profesor Titular del Departamento de Química de la Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes. Grupo de Productos Naturales. Especializado en estudios fitoquímicos relacionados al aislamiento y elucidación estructural de metabolitos secundarios de plantas andinas, incluyendo las de uso común en la terapéutica popular.

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