Spatial distribution of Bryopteris filicina on tree trunks in the Selva Lacandona, Chiapas, Mexico

• Published in: The Bryologist 2007-12, Vol.110 (4), p.766-775
• Main Authors: Equihua, Clementina, Equihua, Miguel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bark; Brosimum alicastrum; Bryophytes; Bryopteris filicina; Epiphytes; Forest ecology; Guarea glabra; Lacandona; liverworts; Mexico; Neotropics; Plant ecology; s; Spatial distribution; Tree trunks; Trees; Tropical forests; tropical rain forest; Tropical rain forests
• ISSN: 0007-2745; 1938-4378
• DOI: 10.1639/0007-2745(2007)110[766:SDOBFO]2.0.CO;2

Spatial distribution is a critical component of population structure and reflects, depending on the scale, relationships between organisms and the biotic and abiotic environment, but has been poorly investigated in the case of bryophytes. The objective of this study was to describe the spatial distribution of Bryopteris filicina at two spatial scales: 1) along porophyte tree trunks in the Lacandona Forest of Chiapas, Mexico, and 2) among three sites with contrasting degree of conservation. We expected to find larger Bryopteris filicina populations in well-preserved conditions, compared to disturbed areas and on non-smooth trunk surfaces, rather than on smooth trunks. A modification of the Canfield line protocol was used to quantify the distribution of B. filicina. This species was found on a total of 142 trees, but it was over-represented on Ampelocera hottlei, Brosimum alicastrum and Guarea glabra. Height, within the range studied (0–2m), bark texture and orientation are good predictors of the presence of B. filicina between the studied sites in the Selva Lacandona. Bryopteris filicina tends to be more abundant on trees with smooth texture, oriented towards north in Chajul and Loma Bonita and South in Ixcán. Resumen.  La distribución espacial es un componente de la estructura del hábitat y refleja, dependiendo de la escala, las relaciones entre individuos. El objetivo de este estudio es el de describir la distribución espacial de Bryopteris filicina sobre troncos de árboles. También se compara la distribución entre troncos de árboles de las regiones de Chajul, Loma Bonita e Ixcán dentro de la Selva Lacandona, Chiapas, México. Esperamos encontrar poblaciones de B. filicina más grandes y saludables en el bosque con mejores condiciones de conservación. Con el fin de describir la distribución de B. filicina se utilizó el método de la línea de Canfield. Encontramos a B. filicina en 142 árboles, principalmente Ampelocera hottlei, Brosimum alicastrum y Guarea glabra. La altura sobre el intervalo estudiado, textura de la corteza y orientación, son útiles para predecir la presencia de B. filicina sobre árboles de los diferentes sitios estudiados en la Selva Lacandona.