Succulent plants

Griffiths, Howard; Males, Jamie

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2017.03.021

Cited by 86 publications

(90 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Similarly, in rain forests stem succulent species are also typically absent. Stem succulence is a textbook example of evolutionary convergence, occurring in over 20 plant families (Ávila‐Lovera & Ezcurra, 2016; Eggli & Nyffeler, 2009; Griffiths & Males, 2017; Ogburn & Edwards, 2010), and occupying a highly disjunct distribution across the tropics (Ávila‐Lovera & Ezcurra, 2016; Ellenberg, 1981; Ogburn & Edwards, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomes as evolutionary arenas: Convergence and conservatism in the trans‐continental succulent biome

Ringelberg

Zimmermann

Weeks

et al. 2020

Global Ecol Biogeogr

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Aim: Historically, biomes have been defined based on their structurally and functionally similar vegetation, but there is debate about whether these similarities are superficial, and about how biomes are defined and mapped. We propose that combined assessment of evolutionary convergence of plant functional traits and phylogenetic biome conservatism provides a useful approach for characterizing biomes. We focus on the little-known succulent biome, a trans-continentally distributed assemblage of succulent-rich, drought-deciduous, fire-free forest, thicket and scrub vegetation as a useful exemplar biome to gain insights into these questions. Location: Global lowland (sub)tropics. Time period: Present. Major taxa studied: Angiosperms. Methods: We use a model ensemble approach to model the distribution of 884 species of stem succulents, a plant functional group representing a striking example of evolutionary convergence. Using this model, phylogenies, and species occurrence data, we quantify phylogenetic succulent biome conservatism for 10 non-succulent trans-continental plant clades including prominent elements of the succulent biome, representing over 800 species. Results: The geographical and climatic distributions of stem succulents provide an objective and quantitative proxy for mapping the distribution of the succulent biome. High fractions of succulent biome occupancy across continents suggest all 10 nonsucculent study clades are phylogenetically conserved within the succulent biome. Main conclusions: The trans-continental succulent and savanna biomes both show evolutionary convergence in key biome-related plant functional traits. However, in contrast to the savanna biome, which was apparently assembled via repeated local recruitment of lineages via biome shifts from adjacent biomes within continents, the succulent biome forms a coherent trans-continental evolutionary arena for droughtadapted tropical biome conserved lineages. Recognizing the important functional differences between the succulent-rich, grass-poor, fire-free succulent biome and the grass-dominated, succulent-poor, fire-prone savanna biome, and defining them | 1101 RINGELBERG Et aL.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomes as evolutionary arenas: Convergence and conservatism in the trans‐continental succulent biome

Ringelberg

Zimmermann

Weeks

et al. 2020

Global Ecol Biogeogr

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“…In contrast, T. yucatana had the most succulent leaves, which represent important water reserves for this species that is abundant at sites with very low annual rainfall (Cach-Pe´rez et al, 2013). The high thermal capacity of water means that the succulent leaves will take longer to cool during the night (Griffiths & Males, 2017), reducing dew deposition. Flat surfaces found in the wide leaves with horizontal angles of the tank species, T. elongata, also promote dew condensation (Kidron, 2005); while the tubular, twisted leaves of the atmospheric T. yucatana lack these surfaces.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dew Can Prolong Photosynthesis and Water Status During Drought in Some Epiphytic Bromeliads From a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest

Chávez-Sahagún

Andrade

Zotz

et al. 2019

Tropical Conservation Science

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Dew can represent an alternate water source in epiphytic bromeliads. However, the physiological relevance of dew to withstand the dry season, within seasonal forests, is not fully understood. To study the effect of dew deposition in the physiological response of four Tillandsia species with contrasting morphologies, we performed an experiment in the tropical dry deciduous forest of Dzibilchalt un, Mexico, during the transition from the wet to the dry season. Half of the individuals were covered every night with a plastic tarp to prevent dew deposition. Environmental variables were monitored, and physiological variables (relative water content, leaf succulence, nocturnal tissue acidification and electron transport rate) were measured at the beginning and end of the experiment. We found that throughout the drought, there was consistent nighttime dew formation for >4 h. Both the time the leaves spent at a temperature below dew point of the air and the effect on water and carbon metabolism was species-specific, as evidenced by the comparison among the exposed and covered (dew-deprived) plants. Tillandsia elongata and Tillandsia brachycaulos had longer times of dew formation and showed higher water content at the end of the experiment when exposed to dew, the latter species also had a significant effect of dew on nocturnal acidity. In contrast, neither Tillandsia yucatana nor Tillandsia fasciculata seemed to be using dew as a relevant source of water during the dry period. We discuss the species' morphoanatomical traits that may be related to the differences in dew formation and use.

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“…semi-desert or desert). CAM plants need regular precipitation throughout the year or, at least, rains that are periodical and predictable; if they lose more than 50% of their total water reserves, they would perish 84,[87][88][89] . Locations with too-high humidity (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global distribution patterns and niche modelling of the invasive Kalanchoe × houghtonii (Crassulaceae)

Herrando‐Moraira

Vitales

Nualart

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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Invasive alien species are currently considered one of the main threats to global biodiversity. One of the most rapidly expanding invasive plants in recent times is Kalanchoe × houghtonii (Crassulaceae), an artificial hybrid created in the 1930s in the United States by experimental crossings between K. daigremontiana and K. tubiflora, two species endemic to Madagascar. Thanks to its large colonizing capacity (mainly derived from the production of asexual plantlets), K. × houghtonii soon escaped from cultivation and quickly spread in many parts of the world. However, its actual range is not well known due to the lack of a formal description until recent times (2006) and its strong morphological resemblance with one of its parentals (K. daigremontiana). The present study was aimed, in the first instance, to delimit the present distribution area of K. × houghtonii at the global scale by gathering and validating all its occurrences and to track its colonization history. Currently, K. × houghtonii can be found on all continents except Antarctica, although it did not reach a global distribution until the 2000s. Its potential distribution, estimated with MaxEnt modelling software, is mainly centered in subtropical regions, from 20° to 40° of both northern and southern latitudes, mostly in areas with a high anthropogenic activity. Unexpectedly, concomitant to a poleward migration, future niche models suggest a considerable reduction of its range by up to one-third compared to the present, which might be related with the Crassulaceaean Acid Metabolism (CAM) of K. × houghtonii. Further research may shed light as to whether a decrease in potential habitats constitutes a general pattern for crassulaceae and CAM plants.

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Succulent plants

Cited by 86 publications

References 13 publications

Biomes as evolutionary arenas: Convergence and conservatism in the trans‐continental succulent biome

Biomes as evolutionary arenas: Convergence and conservatism in the trans‐continental succulent biome

Dew Can Prolong Photosynthesis and Water Status During Drought in Some Epiphytic Bromeliads From a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest

Global distribution patterns and niche modelling of the invasive Kalanchoe × houghtonii (Crassulaceae)

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