Morphometric variation of leaves of Aphloia theiformis along an altitudinal gradient on La Reunion Island

Morphometric variation of leaves of Aphloia theiformis along an altitudinal gradient on La Reunion Island. The variation in length (L), width (1), shape index (L/I) and estimated area (2/3 L x 1) of leaves of Aphloia theifortnis (Flacourtiacees) has been analysed on a sample of 200 individuals along an altitudinal gradient on La Reunion Island (Mascarene archipelago). Leaf area and altitude are not correlated, but the former slightly decreases with the height of the vegetation (R = 0.254; P < 0.001). Leaf shape index decreases more acutely with the altitude (R = 0.579; P < 0.001). At this specific level, the altitude does not determine the variation of the leaf area, which remains partially linked with the vegetation structure. On the other hand, the altitude seems to determine more strongly the variation of the leaf shape index.