Physical constraints and environmental factors shape phloem anatomical traits in woody angiosperm species
Journal
New Phytologist
Date Issued
2025-09-15
Author(s)
Wang, Yan
Liesche, Johannes
Crivellaro, Alan
Dolezal, Jirˇ´ı
Altman, Jan
Chiatante, Donato
Dimitrova, Anastazija
Fan, Zexin
Fu, Peili
Forest, Felix
Gricar, Jozica
Heuret, Patrick
Isnard, Sandrine
Maurin, Olivier
Montagnoli, Antonio
Rathgeber, Cyrille B. K.
Tsedensodnom, Enkhchimeg
Trueba, Santiago
Salmon, Yann
DOI
10.1111/nph.70578
Abstract
Xylem trait studies have enhanced our understanding of how plants strategically adapt their
morphological and anatomical features to diverse climates. Despite the importance of the
phloem in plant functioning, similar studies of phloem traits are lacking. To tackle this knowledge gap, we analyzed phloem anatomical traits of woody angiosperm species in relation to
climate and the distance of samples to the stem tip.
We collected main stem or branch cross-sections of 188 angiosperm woody species, which
represent a wide range of climates and diverse families. Measurements of xylem vessel and
phloem sieve element diameter, density, and lumen fraction were used in phylogenetic structural equation models to disentangle internal and climatic constraints on their morphological
and anatomical features.
Our results showed that distance-to-tip mainly affects sieve element and vessel diameter
and density, while climate more strongly influenced conduit lumen fraction. Vessel size was
positively correlated with temperature after correcting for the distance-to-tip, while sieve element diameter was correlated with water availability.
Our results highlight the need to account for distance-to-tip when accessing anatomical
variations linked to the environment, and show that sieve element traits respond to other climatic drivers than vessel traits rather than simply mirroring them.
morphological and anatomical features to diverse climates. Despite the importance of the
phloem in plant functioning, similar studies of phloem traits are lacking. To tackle this knowledge gap, we analyzed phloem anatomical traits of woody angiosperm species in relation to
climate and the distance of samples to the stem tip.
We collected main stem or branch cross-sections of 188 angiosperm woody species, which
represent a wide range of climates and diverse families. Measurements of xylem vessel and
phloem sieve element diameter, density, and lumen fraction were used in phylogenetic structural equation models to disentangle internal and climatic constraints on their morphological
and anatomical features.
Our results showed that distance-to-tip mainly affects sieve element and vessel diameter
and density, while climate more strongly influenced conduit lumen fraction. Vessel size was
positively correlated with temperature after correcting for the distance-to-tip, while sieve element diameter was correlated with water availability.
Our results highlight the need to account for distance-to-tip when accessing anatomical
variations linked to the environment, and show that sieve element traits respond to other climatic drivers than vessel traits rather than simply mirroring them.
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