Differential biochemical responses of Calliandra brevipes (Fabaceae, Mimosoidae) to galling behaviour by Tanaostigmodes ringueleti and T. mecanga (Hymenoptera, Tanaostigmatidae)

Abstract

Two species of Tanaostigmodes, T. ringueleti and T. mecanga, induce two distinct gall morphotypes in Calliandra brevipes Benth. (Fabaceae: Mimosoidae), namely a globose and a fusiform one. Secondary and primary metabolism of the two galls was compared with that of the stem tissue of the host plant. Phytochemical screening of gall samples revealed that triterpenoids were exclusive of the globose gall, and sterols exclusive of the fusiform gall, whereas saponins were absent in both galls. Flavonoid content in the globose gall was significantly lower than that in the fusiform gall. As expected, high antioxidant activity was observed in the fusiform gall, which was associated with the high flavonoid content. Protein analyses showed the presence of specific polypeptides in globose (97, 75, 34 kDa) and fusiform (40, 33 kDa) galls. Sucrose, glucose and fructose contents were 1.4–3.3 times higher in the globose-gall than in non-galled tissue, whereas in the fusiform gall, fructose content was 2-fold increased. The interactions between the host and the two Tanaostigmodes showed both similarities and differences between them, and with the non-galled tissue. Taken together, the results suggested that the two gall inducers co-inhabiting C. brevipes are capable of manipulating the primary and secondary metabolism differentially for their own benefit and, thus, the nutritive hypothesis was reinforced.

The imbalance of redox homeostasis in arthropod-induced plant galls: Mechanisms of stress generation and dissipation

“…This competition can also be decisive for the establishment of chemical patterns in plant galls. Studying the galling behavior of two species of Tanaostigmodes (T. ringueleti and T. mecanga) that induce two distinct gall morphotypes on Calliandra brevipes, Detoni et al [27] observed that the primary and secondary metabolism of galls differentially favored the production of nutritional metabolites over defensive ones. The gall morphotype with the largest number of inducers per chamber (T. ringueleti gall) has the lowest concentration of flavonoids, but accumulates the highest amounts of carbohydrates and proteins, thus supporting the nutritional hypothesis for the adaptive value of the galling habit [81].…”

A comparative venomic fingerprinting approach reveals that galling and non-galling fig wasp species have different venom profiles

“…Some phytohormones such as auxin and cytokinins, which stimulate cell growth and division, have been described in larval salivary secretions and in secretions injected by insects during oviposition [ 14 , 16 ]. Moreover, salivary proteins and peptides probably play a role in gall induction since their expression is detected in galled tissues [ 19 , 20 ]. However, the mechanisms leading to gall formation are still poorly understood [ 17 , 21 ].…”

Seasonal Variation of Phenols and Flavonoids in Non-Galled and Galled Leaves of Caryocar Brasiliense (Caryocaraceae)

“…Em flores de Hypericum perforatum observou-se o aumento na concentração de flavonoides, hipericinas e ácido clorogênico (Gray et al, 2003). Os fenóis contribuem para a absorção e neutralização de radicais livres gerados pelo aumento do estresse oxidativo nas plantas provocado pelo déficit hídrico (Detoni et al, 2010). Resultados similares foram observados por Formiga et al (2009), que indicaram o impacto de fatores físicos na produção de fenóis em folhas sadias e com galhas de Aspidosperma spruceanum.…”