We analyzed vein and stomatal traits (vein density and vein volume per leaf area, stomatal density, stomatal pore length and pore index) and their relationships with other morphological traits [leaf area, leaf thickness and leaf mass per unit area (LMA)] of three co-occurring Mediterranean tree species with contrasting leaf habits [Quercus faginea Lam., Q. suber L. and Q. ilex L. subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp.]. The results showed that leaf size, thickness and LMA varied among the species in parallel with the differences in leaf longevity. By contrast, the traits most related to water use showed inconsistent differences among the three species. Stomatal pore index was lowest in the species with intermediate leaf life span. The species with longest leaf longevity had highest vein density but minimum vein volume per area. Vein and stomatal traits also varied independently from other leaf traits within each species. The absence of association between LMA and vein volume suggests that a large LMA is the result of the accumulation of other tissues, and not necessarily veins. We concluded that in contrast with most economic leaf traits that tend to vary in parallel with leaf life span, traits related to water use varied inconsistently with leaf duration in the three species studied. Stomatal and vein traits, in addition, were not related to the maximum stomatal conductance of the different species.

中文翻译：

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三种不同叶寿命共生栎属植物的叶脉和气孔性状

我们分析了叶脉和气孔性状（每叶面积的叶脉密度和叶脉体积、气孔密度、气孔孔长度和孔隙指数）及其与其他形态特征的关系[叶面积、叶厚度和单位面积叶质量 (LMA)]三种具有对比叶习性的共同发生的地中海树种 [Quercus faginea Lam., Q. suber L. 和 Q. ilex L. subsp.。ballota (Desf.) Samp.]。结果表明，叶片大小、厚度和 LMA 随叶片寿命的差异而在物种之间变化。相比之下，与用水最相关的特征在三个物种之间表现出不一致的差异。气孔指数在中等叶寿命的物种中最低。叶寿命最长的物种的静脉密度最高，但单位面积的静脉体积最小。脉和气孔性状也独立于每个物种内的其他叶性状而变化。LMA 和静脉体积之间没有关联表明大 LMA 是其他组织积聚的结果，不一定是静脉。我们得出的结论是，与大多数随叶子寿命平行变化的经济叶子性状相比，在所研究的三个物种中，与水分利用相关的性状随叶子持续时间的变化而不一致。此外，气孔和静脉特征与不同物种的最大气孔导度无关。我们得出的结论是，与大多数随叶子寿命平行变化的经济叶子性状相比，在所研究的三个物种中，与水分利用相关的性状随叶子持续时间的变化而不一致。此外，气孔和静脉特征与不同物种的最大气孔导度无关。我们得出的结论是，与大多数随叶子寿命平行变化的经济叶子性状相比，在所研究的三个物种中，与水分利用相关的性状随叶子持续时间的变化而不一致。此外，气孔和静脉特征与不同物种的最大气孔导度无关。