Advances in Biology & Earth Sciences

This study aimed to assess the morphological variability of Moroccan dwarf palm populations and to explore possible spatial and bioclimatic structuring of populations across their geographical range. So, 33 morpho-pomological traits related to the whole plant, leaves, spines, fruits and seeds were analyzed in 14 natural populations collected across Morocco. Kruskal-Wallis results revealed significant differences among populations for almost all measured traits (p<0.001), indicating substantial phenotypic variability within C. humilis populations. The coefficient of variation values were high, ranging from 12.06% for fruit width to 68.2% for spine length. Altitude showed a negative correlation with crown height (r = -0.68), total leaf length (r = -0.64), petiole length (r = -0.54) and blade width (r = -0.58). Conversely, mean temperature was positively correlated with vegetative traits, including plant height (r = 0.66), crown height (r = 0.65) and blade length (r = 0.69). Additionally, rainfall was positively correlated with pomological traits, including fruit length (r = 0.71), fruit circumference (r = 0.60) and seed length (r = 0.61). The first principal component described 40.64% of the total variance and was defined by traits generally related to leaves. The second principal component explained only 28.35% of the total variance and was determined mainly by pomological traits. In addition, environmental factors contributed little to both principal components. Besides, populations were distributed into three distinct groups, independently of their geographical origins and bioclimatic conditions. Moreover, crown diameter was the most discriminant trait between groups, suggesting that it could be used as a reliable morphological indicator in studies of differentiation between dwarf palm populations and those of closely related species. The results of this study will provide a solid foundation for future breeding, management and conservation of this species.