Phenotypic intraspecific variability of Campanula altaica Ledeb. (Campanulaceae) in the Western Siberian forest steppe

Abstract

The results of a long-term study of the Campanula altaica phenotypic variation in the Western Siberian forest steppe (Novosibirsk) are described. Two ecotypes (subalpine and meadow) and three populations (Altai, Mountain Altai, and Tomsk) were assessed for the variation in phenological and several structural traits. The PAleontological STatistics (PAST) tool was used for statistical data processing. The adaptive changes in plant seasonal rhythms during their cultivation mainly appeared as a high lability of the flowering phase, whereas most phenological traits did not significantly differ at an intrapopulation level, reflecting an endogenous character of seasonal development. The intraspecific variation of structural traits is more pronounced: significant differences in the flowering shoot height, seed productivity per capsule, and several other characteristics are observed. The same traits of the accessions with different origins display different degrees and directions of changes. The least variable among the examined traits are the duration of vegetation, corolla diameter, and mass of 1000 seeds. High individual variation is a factor determining C. altaica as culturally sustainable species.

Keywords

• Altai bellflower
• Campanula altaica
• Phenotypic variability
• Phenological and structural traits