Back to publications

Summary:

Published in Canadian Journal of Forest Research 19(5): 595-598

Claytonia caroliniana (Michx.) is a perennial early-flowering species regularly occurring in northeastern American maple forests and frequently possessing accessory (B) chromosomes. A cytological study of Claytonia populations growing in eight maple stands diversely affected by dieback has shown important variations in their B chromosome levels. The severity of dieback was negatively correlated with the presence of the B chromosomes, the observed data being adequately adjusted (R = 0.957 and 0.947) to the values estimated from the explicative variables. Different hypotheses are considered to explain the phenomenon: coincidence with a preexisting situation related to marginal habitats; ecological changes in dieback-damaged zones; or the present influence of stresses affecting both B chromosomes of Claytonia and maple trees by divergent or anologous processes.

Sector(s): 

Forests

Catégorie(s): 

Scientific Article

Theme(s): 

Forestry Research, Forests, Silviculture

Author(s):

GERVAIS, Camille, Gabriel ROY, Miroslav M. GRANDTNER and Gilles DÉSAULNIERS

Year of publication:

1989

Format:

Paper

Keyword(s):

B chromosome, maple stand, dieback, environmental stress, B chromosome frequency, ecosystems and environment, écosystèmes et environnement, écologie écosystèmes et environnement, Chromosome B, érablière, dépérissement, stress environnementaux, fréquence des chromosomes B, silviculture and yield of natural forests – hardwood stands