Leaf morphological variability and intraspecific taxonomic units for pedunculate oak and grayish oak (genus Quercus L., series Pedunculatae Schwz.) in Southern Carpathian Region (Romania)

Abstract

Even though pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) and grayish oak (Quercus pedunculiflora K. Koch) have different ecological requirements, they have been considered as having low differentiation at the level of morphological traits and genetic variation. The leaf morphology for 862 trees has been assessed in 16 natural populations, seven of Q. robur, eight of Q. pedunculiflora and a mixed forest were both taxa coexist. In total, fifteen descriptors have been analysed by using discriminant analysis, while it was found that with only four out of the fifteen leaf traits (abaxial pubescence, abaxial colour of the leaf, petiole length and basal shape of lamina) the two taxa could be clearly differentiated. A dendrogram has been constructed on the basis of these traits, where the populations of each taxon have been clustered together. PU and CL traits of Q. pedunculiflora were discussed for their adaptive value for drought resistance in the steppe habitats occupied by this taxon. Using the leaves' morphological descriptors and data from the literature, intra-taxonomic units (varieties, forms and sub-forms) have been identified in all analysed populations. Eight intraspecific units for Q. robur and six for Q. pedunculiflora have been identified in the investigated area. An analysis of spatial distribution of the two taxa and of their intraspecific units has been performed using maps of ecoregions for the study area.

Keywords: Intraspecific units; Leaf descriptors; Quercus pedunculiflora; Quercus robur; Series Pedunculatae; Taxonomy.