Wood anatomy of 32 species from a shrubland in the Sierra de Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, and its comparison with two xeric shrublands

Abstract

Background: The wood of species that grow in arid zones is characterized by ring porosity, grouped vessels, tracheids, and thick-walled fibers that allow species to respond to environmental pressures.

Hypotheses: The woody species of the shrubland in Sierra de Juárez will exhibit anatomical wood characteristics associated with the xeromorphic environment. Thus, we described their wood traits and compared with those reported in two other shrublands.

Studied species: Thirty-two species belonging to 23 families.

Study site and dates: Sierra de Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico. 2020-2024

Methods: Samples were collected from three individuals per species and processed using conventional wood microtechnique. A cluster analysis allowed for the identification of groups based on their similarity.

Conclusions: The anatomical characteristics of the wood shared by the species despite their taxonomic diversity are interpreted as anatomical convergences associated with the environment or habit. The woods of the Sierra de Juarez show greater similarity to the California shrublands in the United States than to those of Tehuacán, Puebla, Mexico.