Light intensity affects leaf morphology in a wild population of Adenostyles alliariae (Asteraceae)

By

Francis, Bailey
Gilman, Robert Tucker

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2019-12-4

Original Publication

Italian botanist

Volume

8

Pages

35--45

Subjects

Adenostyles alliariae , Developmental instability , fluctuating asymmetry , light intensity , phenotypic plasticity

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft 2016-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/italianbotanist.8.39393

 

Abstract

Low light conditions can impose environmental stress on plants, and plants often respond adaptively by increasing their leaf area. Light stress on plants can also result in developmental instability, which can manifest as increased fluctuating asymmetry in leaves or other organs. The relationship between light conditions and fluctuating asymmetry has been documented in experimental populations, but has been less frequently observed in the wild. Here, we studied how leaf surface area and fluctuating asymmetry correlate with light intensity in a wild population of Adenostyles alliariae (Asteraceae). We found strong evidence that leaf surface area increases and weak evidence that fluctuating asymmetry increases as light intensity decreases. Our results help to elucidate the relationship between light stress and developmental instability under naturally occurring conditions.