Drivers of bromeliad leaf and floral bract variation across a latitudinal gradient in the Atlantic Forest.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

Understanding the complex interaction and relative contributions of factors involved in species and trait diversification is crucial to gain insights into the evolution of Neotropical biodiversity. Here, we investigated the drivers of morphological variation in bromeliads along a latitudinal gradient in a biodiversity hotspot.

Location

Atlantic Forest, Brazil.

Taxon

A species complex in the genus Vriesea (Bromeliaceae).

Methods

We measured shape and size variation for 208 floral bracts and 176 leaves in individuals from 14 localities using geometric morphometrics. We compiled data for two chloroplast regions (matK and trnL-F) from 89 individuals to assess genetic diversity, population structure and phylogenetic relationships. We tested

SUBMITTER: Neves B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7006768 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature