Dendrochronological Potential of Five Species from the Tropical Dry Forest in Cozumel Island, Mexico

Dendrochronological research has focused on species from temperate environments due to their high dendrochronological potential. However, in recent decades, advances in dendrochronology have been reported for species from tropical environments, which may be useful for analyzing the effects of climate variability. The objective of this study was to analyze the wood anatomy of Bursera simaruba, Sideroxylon foetidissimum, Gliricidia sepium, Vitex gaumeri, and Lysiloma latisiliquum from the island of Cozumel to identify their dendrochronological potential. The qualitative and quantitative anatomical characteristics were evaluated in accordance with the International Association of Wood Anatomists (IAWA) List of Microscopic Features for Hardwood Identification. B. simaruba, L. latisiliquum, and V. gaumeri exhibit dendrochronological potential (i.e., the development of distinct growth rings), unlike the S. foetidissimum, G. sepium. Differences in vessel diameter, vessel wall thickness, vessel density (number of vessels per mm2), fiber diameter, fiber lumen diameter, and fiber wall thickness between earlywood and latewood within the growth rings of these three species with dendrochronological potential indicate the formation of distinct growth rings. These findings contribute to the anatomical characterization and validation of growth-ring identification in tropical tree species for which anatomical and dendrochronological information remains scarce, thereby reinforcing the scientific foundation of tropical dendrochronology. Furthermore, they improve our understanding of the influence of climatic variables on tree growth and provide a valuable foundation for climate reconstructions at sites with limited or incomplete instrumental records, such as the Mexican Caribbean.