Morphological variation of Pseudocedrela kotschyi in Benin: zonal patterns and conservation insights

Pseudocedrela kotschyi is a socio-economically important species for rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aims to identify the environmental drivers shaping the morphological traits of the species across different biogeographical zones for guiding effective conservation and domestication strategies. Measurements were taken from 3,086 fruits and 2,851 leaves that were collected in these zones. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and hierarchical classification identified distinct morphological groups, while Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) assessed the relationship between morphotypes and biogeographical zones. Morphological traits varied significantly between zones (p < 0.001). The Guineo-Congolian zone had the longest (10.27 ± 0.05cm) and heaviest fruits (51.59 ± 0.39g), while the Sudano-Guinean zone had the heaviest seeds (0.69 ± 0.01g). Three morphotypes were identified: morphotype 1 had small fruits with light seeds; morphotype 2 had long fruits with numerous seeds whereas morphotype 3 had heavy fruits with large seeds. The distortion features differ from one morphotype to another. Although certain traits were influenced by temperature and precipitation, relationships between morphology and climate remained weak. These findings highlight the importance of conservation strategies that are adapted to regional specificities and local environmental pressures. Tailoring conservation and domestication strategies to the distinct morphotypes and their associated ecological zones could enhance the sustainable use of, and resilience to climate change pressures experienced by Pseudocedrela kotschyi.