Influence of plant resistance traits in selectiveness and species strength in a tropical plant‐herbivore network

Abstract

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:Plant-herbivore networks are highly specialized in their interactions, yet they are highly variable with regard to the relative importance of specifi c host species for herbivores. How host species traits determine specialization and species strength in this antagonistic network is still an unanswered question that we addressed in this study. METHODS:We assessed plant cover and antiherbivore resistance traits to assess the extent to which they accounted for the variation in specialization and strength of interactions among species in a plant-herbivore network. We studied a tropical antagonistic network including a diverse herbivore-host plant assemblages in diff erent habitat types and climatic seasons, including host plants with diff erent life histories.KEY RESULTS: Particular combinations of leaf toughness, trichome density, and phenolic compounds infl uenced herbivore specialization and host species strength, but with a signifi cant spatiotemporal variation among plant life histories. Conversely, plant-herbivore network parameters were not infl uenced by plant cover. CONCLUSIONS:Our study highlights the importance of species-specifi c resistance traits of plants to understand the ecological and evolutionary consequences of plant-herbivore interaction networks. The novelty of our research lies in the use of a trait-based approach to understand the variation observed in diverse plant-herbivore networks.

Factors affecting the structure of Coleoptera assemblages on bracket fungi (Basidiomycota) in a Brazilian forest

“…, Agrawal & Fishbein , López‐Carretero et al . ). For herbivorous insects, leaf toughness has been associated with reduced rates of growth and prolonged development with unfavorable ecological consequences (Clissold et al .…”

“…The importance of leaf toughness as a major defense against herbivorous insects has been demonstrated in several studies (Feeny 1970, Choong 1996, Lucas et al 2000, Agrawal & Fishbein 2006, L opez-Carretero et al 2016. For herbivorous insects, leaf toughness has been associated with reduced rates of growth and prolonged development with unfavorable ecological consequences (Clissold et al 2009).…”

“…and 2) host selection by insects would be influenced by basidiome toughness (as determined by consistency class and hyphal system) (Hanski 1989, Jonsell & Nordlander 2004. Many authors have recognized the importance of leaf toughness in reducing herbivore feeding and performance (Choong 1996Coley & Barone 1996, Lucas et al 2000, Agrawal & Fishbein 2006, F€ urstenberg-H€ agg et al 2013, L opez-Carretero et al 2016. We thus predicted that basidiome toughness would pose a similar barrier to insects on basidiomes.…”

“…, López‐Carretero et al . ). We thus predicted that basidiome toughness would pose a similar barrier to insects on basidiomes.…”

Plant Antiherbivore Defense in Diverse Environments

“…Another important group of chemical compounds, relevant in defensive plant traits, is phenols, including tannins, which at media concentration reduces herbivory, through reduction of digestibility of plant tissues, and increases immune responses [84].…”