TITLE:
Variation on Floral Traits of Agave gentryi (Asparagaceae) along an Elevational Gradient in Tamaulipas, México
AUTHORS:
Sergio Antonio Terán-Treviño, Lorenzo Heyer-Rodriguez, Crystian Sadiel Venegas-Barrera, Francisco Molina-Freaner, José Guadalupe Martínez-Ávalos, Héctor Castillo-Hernández, Jacinto Treviño-Carreón
KEYWORDS:
Agave, Elevation Gradient, Flower Morphology, Sierra Madre Oriental
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.17 No.4,
April
3,
2026
ABSTRACT: Spatio-temporal variation in flower traits was analyzed along an elevational gradient in Agave gentryi. Flower measurements were made during the flowering season (May-June) at three sites (2238; 2469; 2618 m.a.s.l.) located in Miquihuana, Tamaulipas, México. We hypothesize that a variation pattern is present that is correlated with changes in pollinator composition along the distributional elevation gradient of Agave gentryi. We investigated whether differences exist between the elevation gradient between day/night periods in terms of nectar volume and sugar concentration, stamen and pistil length, and corolla diameter. The data were analyzed using discriminant analysis. Floral traits showed significant differences along elevation and just for one side, between day/night periods. As elevation increases, corolla diameter increases, stamen length and nectar volume decrease. Agave gentryi shows significant differences in flower traits along this elevational gradient.