Garcia-Suárez et al. 2003 (Article) Tillandsia, Mexico

Distribution and abundance of Tillandsia spp. (Bromeliaceae) in the Zapotitlán Valley, Puebla, México

Author(s):—M.D.: Rico-Gray García-Suárez & H. Serrano

Publication:—Plant ecology 166: 207–215. (2003)

Abstract:—We studied the distribution and abundance of three epiphytic Bromeliaceae (Tillandsia dasyliriifolia, T. califanii, and T. recurvata), in two different vegetation associations (‘izotal’, ‘cardonal’) in the Zapotitlán Valley, Puebla, México. We quantified all bromeliads considering their size (height and basal diameter), as well as their spatial orientation considering height from the ground, the distance to the center of the tree, and orientation on the host tree. At the ‘Izotal’, the epiphytes on Beaucarnea gracilis (Nolinaceae) exhibited a clumped distribution pattern. Whereas in the ‘Cardonal’, epiphytes use columnar cacti (Cephalocereus columna trajani) for support, are more scarce, exhibit smaller size (height), and fewer number of clumps. The distribution of T. dasyliriifolia and T. califanii is influenced by the distribution of their two main hosts, while T. recurvata might be randomly distributed. The distribution of Tillandsia individuals on Beaucarnea plants was quite characteristic: (i) T. recurvata was mostly SW oriented, on the lower strata (2.50–3.59 m) and very close (0–0.59 cm) to the center of the phorophyte; (ii) T. dasyliriifolia was mostly SE oriented, on the low strata, and close to the center of the phorophyte (0.60–1.19 m); and (iii) T. califanii was mostly NE oriented, on low strata, and very close to the center of the phorophyte. The spatial distribution among species depends on different ecological aspects and/or their preferences for humidity, temperature and light that enable their establishment.

Keywords:—Age structure, Bromeliads, Epiphytes, Zapotitlan Valley