Structured and unstructured intraspecific propagule trait variation across environmental gradients in a widespread mangrove

Increasing studies have shown the importance of intraspecific trait variation (ITV) on the ecological process. However, the patterns and sources of ITV are still unclear, especially in the propagule of coastal vegetation. Here, we measured fresh weight (FW), fresh length (FL), maximum transverse diameter (TDmax), minimum transverse diameter (TDmin) and the ratio of TDmax to TDmin (RTD) of the hypocotyl (propagule) of Kandelia obovata for 66 genealogies across 26 sites. By combining multiple factors of climate, ocean and maternal tree to analyze their effects on the intraspecific trait variation of mangrove hypocotyl. The results showed that value of establishment traits (FW, FL, TDmax and TDmin which are related to mass) decreased along increasing latitudinal gradients and they were directly positively regulated by temperature. ITV of dispersal trait (RTD) was unstructured along latitudinal gradients, which was constrained by fitness tradeoff. Our findings indicate that establishment traits mainly varied between populations, whereas dispersal traits mainly varied between individuals. This study provides insights into the ITV of propagule in different functional dimensions on a broad scale and that may help integrate ITV into future analyses of mangrove protection.

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