Exploring Intraspecific Trait Variation in a Xerophytic Moss Species Indusiella thianschanica (Ptychomitriaceae) across Environmental Gradients on the Tibetan Plateau

Investigating intraspecific trait variability is crucial for understanding plant adaptation to various environments, yet research on lithophytic mosses in extreme environments remains scarce. This study focuses on Broth. Hal., a unique lithophytic moss species in the extreme environments of the Tibe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plants (Basel) 2024-03, Vol.13 (7), p.921
Main Authors: Song, Xiaotong, Gu, Jiqi, Ye, Yanhui, Wang, Mengzhen, Wang, Ruihong, Ma, Heping, Shao, Xiaoming
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation
alpine ecosystem
Altitude
Bryophyta
bryophyte ecology
Coefficient of variation
Environmental changes
Environmental conditions
Environmental factors
Environmental gradient
Extreme environments
Flowers & plants
Indusiella thianschanica
Leaves
morphological traits
Morphology
Mosses
phenotypic plasticity
plant adaptations
Precipitation
Sheaths
Temperature effects
Transpiration
Variation
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Summary:Investigating intraspecific trait variability is crucial for understanding plant adaptation to various environments, yet research on lithophytic mosses in extreme environments remains scarce. This study focuses on Broth. Hal., a unique lithophytic moss species in the extreme environments of the Tibetan Plateau, aiming to uncover its adaptation and response mechanisms to environmental changes. Specimens were collected from 26 sites across elevations ranging from 3642 m to 5528 m, and the relationships between 23 morphological traits and 15 environmental factors were analyzed. Results indicated that coefficients of variation (CV) ranged from 5.91% to 36.11%, with gametophyte height (GH) and basal cell transverse wall thickness (STW) showing the highest and lowest variations, respectively. Temperature, elevation, and potential evapo-transpiration (PET) emerged as primary environmental drivers. Leaf traits, especially those of the leaf sheath, exhibited a more pronounced response to the environment. The traits exhibited apparent covariation in response to environmental challenges and indicated flexible adaptive strategies. This study revealed the adaptation and response patterns of different morphological traits of to environmental changes on the Tibetan Plateau, emphasizing the significant effect of temperature on trait variation. Our findings deepen the understanding of the ecology and adaptive strategies of lithophytic mosses.
ISSN:2223-7747
2223-7747
DOI:10.3390/plants13070921