Figure 1: Global scaling of leaf venation with leaf size.
From: Developmentally based scaling of leaf venation architecture explains global ecological patterns
The scaling of vein density (=vein length/leaf area; main panels) and of vein central diameter (inset panels) for (a) 1°, (b) 2°-, (c) 3°-order veins and (d) minor veins, across a global data set of 485 species of dicotyledons, representing 227 genera from 78 families. Each symbol represents a different species with pinnate venation (that is, with a single 1° vein; filled symbols, solid line) or palmate venation (that is, multiple 1° veins; open symbols, dashed line). Lines were fitted for log (vein density or diameter)=a+b log (leaf area). The scaling of vein traits with leaf area becomes shallower from 1° to 2° to 3° veins, and minor vein diameter and density are independent of leaf size, as predicted from the developmental model. Significance of fitted lines: ***P<0.001.
