Epicuticular wax variability of Juniperus deltoides R.P. Adams from the central Balkan – Ecology and chemophenetics

Abstract

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd Juniperus deltoides R.P.Adams is a prickly, evergreen shrub that grows in the East Mediterranean on dry hills and mountains. Needle-like leaves have a thick cuticular layer on the surface, which serves as the ultimate barrier for prevention of water loss. n-Alkanes comprise the biggest part of this hydrophobic wax mixture. These compounds are studied as chemophenetic characters due to their chemical and physiological stability, and strong genetic control. Six central Balkan populations were studied and compared to one eastern and one western. Fifteen n-alkanes were identified, with C33 being dominant in all samples. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses separated western population from all central Balkan populations, while the eastern Balkan population showed high similarity with the central ones. Climatic, orographic and pedological characteristics of the studied localities were also taken into account.