Abstract Detail

Paleobotanical Section

Melendrez, Meriel [1], Stevenson, Robert A. [1], Liao, Sherry [1], Kouwenberg, Lenny R. [2], Ambrose, Anthony [1], Dawson, Todd [1], Looy, Cindy V [2].

Intra-canopy variation in epidermal morphology in Sequoia sempervirens and Sequoiadendron giganteum.

Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) both grow so tall that data collected along their heights reveals a gradient of microclimates. In general, temperature increases, relative humidity decreases, and available light increases with height. Moreover, gravity and friction decrease the water potential of the tree with increasing height. This study treated the canopies of both species as natural experiments on the phenotypic expression of a genotype under different levels of drought stress. We examined the abaxial and adaxial leaf cuticles to quantify changes in epidermal features. Our analysis shows that many characteristics of the epidermis change with increasing height. In S. sempervirens, leaves change from hypostomatous to amphistomatous, stomatal densities increase, and stomatal pore areas decrease. Additionally, there is increased variation of relative stomatal angles. Leaves of S. giganteum are amphistomatous throughout the canopy. However, with increasing height, the stomatal density increases, pore areas decrease, and there is slightly increased variation of stomatal angles. These findings have an important application in the field of paleobotany, where taxonomic affinities are often based on cuticular analysis. Understanding the variation within the cuticles of extant species may help identify synonymous species in the fossil record.

Broader Impacts:

Related Links:
Looy Lab Home
Dawson Lab Home

1 - University of California, Berkeley, Integrative Biology, 3060 Valley Life Sciences Building #3140, Berkeley, CA, 94720-3140, USA
2 - University of California-Berkeley, Department of Integrative Biology and Museum of Paleontology, 3060 Valley Life Sciences Bldg #3140, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA

Keywords:
Sequoia
Cuticle
Paleobotany
stomata
Intra-canopy Variation
Sequoia sempervirens
Sequoiadendron giganteum
Conifer.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 16
Location: Melrose/Riverside Hilton
Date: Tuesday, July 30th, 2013
Time: 10:30 AM
Number: 16009
Abstract ID:666
Candidate for Awards:None