The Epiphytic Diversity and Abundance in Quercus Virginiana and Quercus Laurifolia

Date of Award

2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Gilchrist, Sandra

Keywords

Epiphyte, Tannin, Quercus, Myakka River State Park

Area of Concentration

Natural Sciences

Abstract

The difference in the epiphytic load of Quercus virginiana Mill. and Quercus laurifolia Michx. was studied at Myakka River State Park. The epiphytic species present on the phorophytes in this study were Tillandsia usneoides (L.) L., Tillandsia seracea Sw., Tillandsia recurvata (L.) L., Polypodium polypodioides var. michauxianum Wetherby, Encyclia tampensis (Lindl.) Small, Tillandsia utriculata L., Tillandsia fasciculata var. densispica Mez, Phlebodium aureum (L.) Small, and Vittaria lineara (L.) J. Smith. The percent epiphytic coverage and epiphytic species abundances within each of the two host trees was quantified. Branch angle inclination was related to percent epiphytic coverage. Furthermore, bark tannins of Q. virginiana and Q. laurifolia were analyzed using the potassium iodate, folin-denis, and proanthocyanidin assays which tested for condensed, total, and hydrolyzable tannins, respectively. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was also used to compare host bark samples. Chemical species present in the phorophyte bark were elucidated by Dr. Juha-Pekka Salminen. Quercus virginiana was found to have a larger epiphytic load than that of Q. laurifolia. Moreover, in Quercus virginiana an increase in the epiphytic load correlated to a lower branch inclination. Canopy stratification revealed that the epiphytic load was largest in the lower canopy. Bark tannins between the two host trees were found to be distinct. From HPLC peak profiles, Quercus laurifolia was found to have a more complex array of tannins than Quercus virginiana. These data were supported by Dr. Juha-Pekka Salminens findings; for instance, ellagic and gallic acids were present in both species yet higher concentrations were evident in Quercus laurffolia. Further experimentation is necessary to determine if the difference in tannin chemistry within the bark is a cause of the lower epiphytic load in Quercus laurifolia.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS