Transmitancia del rojo y el rojo lejano y anatomía de las hojas de algunas especies leñosas de selva alta perennifolia

The anatomy and light transmittance of leaves of twelve tree species from the tropical rain forest at Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, México were studied in order to determine the quality of light transmitted. The light environment at an open site and underneath the canopy was characterized. Leaf area and dry weight, density and length of stomata as well as other anatomical characteristics of the leaves were determined together with spectrophotometer measurements of transmittance of fresh and dry leaves. We found correlations between mesophyll thickness and leaves transmittance. The anatomical characteristics of the species are discussed in relation to the optical properties and the induced changes of leaves in the light environment of the forest, in particular the red:far red ratio.