Electronic Journal of Biology

Leaves of Tectaria dissecta ((G. Forst.) Lellinger) Collected from Three Elevations in Tinago Falls, Iligan City Exhibit Morphological Variation Using Fractal Analysis

In this study, the fractal dimension of the leaves of Tectaria dissecta was evaluated through fractal analysis to determine any morphological variation that existed in this species in the three elevations in Tinago Falls, Iligan city. Ten samples of T. dissecta were collected in each elevation and two to three leaves (fronds) were taken per fern. The leaves were pressed, scanned, processed with the Corel Paint, and binarized images were run with the software using the box-counting method to determine the fractal dimension. FD (fractal index) values of the ferns in the three elevations were compared using the boxand- whisker plot and analyzed using the Kruskal- Wallis (P<0.05) to test for the significant difference. Results showed that the average fractal dimension of the fern leaves at high elevation is 1.63, 1.74 in the middle elevation and 1.72 at low elevation. The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed a significant difference in the fractal dimensions of the fern leaves between the high and middle elevation and between the high and low elevation. The ferns in the middle and low elevations have a more complex leaves than in the high elevation as exhibited by higher FD values. The complexity of the fern leaves in the middle and low elevations could be related to the necessity of light penetration through these ferns. The structure of the leaves of the ferns in high elevation assures its needs of light and temperature.

Author(s):

Lilybeth F Olowa, Jeda A Lalisan, Ma Reina Suzette B Madamba

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