The evolution of angiosperm lianescence: a perspective from xylem structure‐function

Isnard, Sandrine; Feild, Taylor S.

doi:10.1002/9781118392409.ch17

Cited by 23 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 91 publications

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“…Both lianas and trees are diverse polyphyletic plant groups with an overlapping range of functional characteristics (e.g. Gilbert et al ., ; Asner & Martin, ; Isnard & Feild, ). Lianas are similar to trees taxonomically (Gianoli, 2004, ), and many congeneric and confamilial liana and tree species coexist in the same forest (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Testing ecological theory with lianas

2018

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Contents Summary 366 I. Introduction 366 II. Testing ecological theory: effects of the environment on lianas 369 III. A unified explanation for liana distribution and the maintenance of liana diversity 370 IV. Testing ecological theory: effects of lianas on the environment 373 V. Theoretical effects of lianas on forest diversity 375 VI. Lianas and trophic interactions in forests 375 VII. Unresolved challenges in liana ecology 376 VIII. Conclusions 377 Acknowledgements 377 References 377 SUMMARY: Lianas constitute a diverse polyphyletic plant group that is advancing our understanding of ecological theory. Specifically, lianas are providing new insights into the mechanisms that control plant distribution and diversity maintenance. For example, there is now evidence that a single, scalable mechanism may explain local, regional, and pan-tropical distribution of lianas, as well as the maintenance of liana species diversity. The ability to outcompete trees under dry, stressful conditions in seasonal forests provides lianas a growth advantage that, over time, results in relatively high abundance in seasonal forests and low abundance in aseasonal forests. Lianas may also gain a similar growth advantage following disturbance, thus explaining why liana density and diversity peak following disturbance at the local, forest scale. The study of ecology, however, is more than the effect of the environment on organisms; it also includes the effects of organisms on the environment. Considerable empirical evidence now indicates that lianas substantially alter their environment by consuming resources, suppressing tree performance, and influencing emergent properties of forests, such as ecosystem functioning, plant and animal diversity, and community composition. These recent studies using lianas are transcending classical tropical ecology research and are now providing novel insights into fundamental ecological theory.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Testing ecological theory with lianas

2018

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“…The climbing habit evolved independently in angiosperms, gymnosperms, and ferns (Isnard and Feild, 2015 ). Climbing representatives are found in nine families of pteridophytes and two families of gymnosperms (Gianoli, 2015 ), whereas the climbing habit evolved in nearly all lineages of angiosperms, being found from basal angiosperms (e.g., Austrobaileyales) to asterids (e.g., Asteraceae and Bignoniaceae; Isnard and Feild, 2015 ). Approximately 65% of eudicot and magnoliid orders (Gentry, 1991 ), as well as 160 angiosperm families include at least one climbing species (Gianoli, 2015 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Convergent Evolution and the Diverse Ontogenetic Origins of Tendrils in Angiosperms

et al. 2018

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Climbers are abundant in tropical forests, where they constitute a major functional plant type. The acquisition of the climbing habit in angiosperms constitutes a key innovation. Successful speciation in climbers is correlated with the development of specialized climbing strategies such as tendrils, i.e., filiform organs with the ability to twine around other structures through helical growth. Tendrils are derived from a variety of morphological structures, e.g., stems, leaves, and inflorescences, and are found in various plant families. In fact, tendrils are distributed throughout the angiosperm phylogeny, from magnoliids to asterids II, making these structures a great model to study convergent evolution. In this study, we performed a thorough survey of tendrils within angiosperms, focusing on their origin and development. We identified 17 tendril types and analyzed their distribution through the angiosperm phylogeny. Some interesting patterns emerged. For instance, tendrils derived from reproductive structures are exclusively found in the Core Eudicots, except from one monocot species. Fabales and Asterales are the orders with the highest numbers of tendrilling strategies. Tendrils derived from modified leaflets are particularly common among asterids, occurring in Polemoniaceae, Bignoniaceae, and Asteraceae. Although angiosperms have a large number of tendrilled representatives, little is known about their origin and development. This work points out research gaps that should help guide future research on the biology of tendrilled species. Additional research on climbers is particularly important given their increasing abundance resulting from environmental disturbance in the tropics.

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“…With a reduced mechanical demand, climbers use other means of support and wood lianas can thus exhibit peculiar stem anatomy, related to the climbing habit, such as variation in cambium activity, leading to different anatomical patterns ( Isnard and Feild 2015 ), abundant parenchyma and fewer fibres than seen in self-supporting woody plants ( Brandes and Barros 2008 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climbers of the Estação Ecológica de Assis, State of São Paulo, Brazil: floristics and identification keys

Neto¹,

Ronqui²,

Seidinger³

et al. 2018

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Climbers are an important life form in the understory and canopy of tropical forests. They are characterised by constant root connection to the ground and use of other species, mainly trees, as support in their search for higher light. In addition, they have an important role in ecological succession in forest clearings, as they are able to develop rapidly in these environments. Climbers can have high species richness in the biomes in which they are present. Since climbers are of little economic importance, they are usually cut down without regard for their contribution to maintenance of biodiversity and to the structure of the forest. Floristic studies of climbers in Brazil are still scarce and more research is needed. The goal of our research was to develop a floristic survey and identification keys for the climbers of the Estação Ecológica de Assis (EEA) in the cerrado biome of São Paulo state, Brazil. Sampling was carried out every two weeks over ten months, along trails and edges of forest within the EEA. Identification keys were built based on vegetative characters. Thirty-two climber species, belonging to 24 genera and 13 families were recorded. The families with the largest number of species were Bignoniaceae (8 species), Malpighiaceae (5), Apocynaceae (3) and Smilacaceae (3). The richest genera were Fridericia (4 species), Banisteriopsis (3) and Smilax (3). The number of species recorded for the forest fragment reveals the important role of climbers in the diversity of forested savannahs (“cerradões”) in the State of São Paulo.

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The evolution of angiosperm lianescence: a perspective from xylem structure‐function

Cited by 23 publications

References 91 publications

Testing ecological theory with lianas

Testing ecological theory with lianas

Convergent Evolution and the Diverse Ontogenetic Origins of Tendrils in Angiosperms

Climbers of the Estação Ecológica de Assis, State of São Paulo, Brazil: floristics and identification keys

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