University of Tasmania
Browse
coastal_leaf_gigantism1.pdf (1.06 MB)

Leaf gigantism in coastal areas: morphological and physiological variation in four species on the Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania

Download (1.06 MB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 17:27 authored by Christopher BlackmanChristopher Blackman, Gregory JordanGregory Jordan, Robert Wiltshire
Leaf gigantism is an example of marked morphological variation associated with abrupt environmental gradients of increasing coastal exposure. This study characterises the morphology and anatomy of leaf gigantism in four species across two habitats on the coastal headlands of the Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania, Australia. In addition, the genetic basis and adaptive significance of leaf gigantism are examined. Leaf gigantism was characterised in Leptospermum scoparium, Acacia verticillata and Allocasuarina monilifera by greater thickness and succulence, and by greater thickness and increased support tissue in Allocasuarina crassa. Glasshouse-grown seedlings of each species derived from exposed and inland field sites showed that leaf gigantism has both genetic and environmental components. Leaf succulence and a slower growth rate were shown to be heritable in seedlings from the exposed site of L. scoparium and A. verticillata, indicating genetic differentiation. In the reciprocal translocation trial, the higher degree of stress tolerance (as measured by chlorophyll florescence) exhibited by seedlings of L. scoparium and A. verticillata from the exposed site demonstrated the adaptive significance of leaf gigantism in these species. The ecological and evolutionary implications of leaf gigantism on the Tasman Peninsula are discussed. © CSIRO 2005.

History

Publication title

Australian Journal of Botany

Volume

53

Pagination

91-100

ISSN

0067-1924

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

C S I R O Publishing

Place of publication

Australia

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the environmental sciences

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC