Ecological interactions and diversity of insects on Fabaceae species in the Brazilian Cerrado

Abstract

SOUSA-LOPES, Bruno de. Ecological interactions and diversity of insects on Fabaceae species in the Brazilian Cerrado. 2020. 138 p. Thesis (Doctorate degree)

The relationship between host plant traits and biodiversity across three sympatric seed‐feeding tri‐trophic systems in a tropical region of Brazil

“…Indeed, insects such as the Bruchinae and other seed‐eaters, which account for nearly all herbivores in our system, appear to be host‐specific rather than generalists as suggested by previous studies (Basset, 1992; Novotny et al, 2010; Novotny & Basset, 2005). Another study consistent with our results evaluated the specialisation of insect herbivore networks in five other species of Fabaceae plants in Brazil (de Sousa‐Lopes, 2020). In which it was found a highly specialised network between herbivores and their host plants, with only six species out of 87 species shared among plants (de Sousa‐Lopes, 2020).…”

“…Another study consistent with our results evaluated the specialisation of insect herbivore networks in five other species of Fabaceae plants in Brazil (de Sousa‐Lopes, 2020). In which it was found a highly specialised network between herbivores and their host plants, with only six species out of 87 species shared among plants (de Sousa‐Lopes, 2020). In terms of adaptation, it is intuitive that some groups of insects are restricted to a few genera or families because of phylogenetically conserved plant defences (Basset, 1992; Novotny & Basset, 2005).…”

“…We expected this could happen because more individuals of herbivores would attract greater natural enemy abundance and diversity. In addition, there are numerous parasitoids associated with these taxa in previous food web studies (de Oliveira, Monteiro, Morales‐Silva, et al, 2020; de Sousa‐Lopes, 2020; Morales‐Silva et al, 2018, 2019; Tuller et al, 2015).…”

“…Unfortunately, despite their potential relevance, the true diversity of parasitoid species remains unknown and poorly described (Memmott et al, 1994; Quicke, 2012). Along these lines, fruit pods of neotropical Fabaceae plants are a good system to study host–parasitoid interactions, because they shelter a diverse community of insects, primarily Coleoptera (specifically, Bruchines), Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera and their parasitoids (de Sousa‐Lopes, 2020; Memmott et al, 1994; Morales‐Silva et al, 2018, 2019; Tuller et al, 2015; Wood et al, 2017). First, certain characteristics of the host plant (e.g., number and size of seeds and fruits) have been identified as key factors in promoting bottom‐up effects in these systems, influencing insect–parasitoid interactions, structure and community complexity (Bukovinszky et al, 2008; Morales‐Silva et al, 2018).…”

Description of the herbivore and natural enemy community associated with the seeds of an invasive plant in Brazil

“…Fruits and seeds of plants in the Fabaceae are interesting systems to study the relationships between herbivores and parasitoids and their interaction with their associated host plants (Camacho‐Erazo et al, 2021; Lopes, 2020; Morales‐Silva et al, 2018, 2019; Tuller et al, 2015; Wood et al, 2017). These systems have the advantage of being very rich in species and relatively easy to sample (Tuller et al, 2015).…”