Analysis of variation in leaf and twig characters of Abies lasiocarpa and A. amabilis from north-coastal British Columbia

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Abstract
To investigate the extent and causes of natural variation within and among populations of Abies amabilis and Abies lasiocarpa collected from north-coastal British Columbia, morphological and anatomical data were analyzed using principal components analysis, canonical analysis, and regression analysis. The results indicate that hybridization does not occur between these two species, even in areas modified by natural or artificial disturbance. Within A. lasiocarpa there is an indication of evolutionary divergence of populations correlated with latitude and (or) local environmental conditions. Specimens of A. lasiocarpa and A. amabilis collected from a lava bed were found to be differentiated from forest-grown populations, apparently as a result of either phenotypic plasticity or local selection pressures affecting the survival of newly established seedlings. Regression analysis demonstrated that twig periderm thickness in A. amabilis correlates significantly with altitude suggesting the presence of clinal variation.

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