Might Heterostyly Underlie Spider Occurrence on Inflorescences? A Case Study of<i>Palicourea rigida</i>(Rubiaceae), a Common Shrub from Brazilian Cerrado

Diniz, Suzana; Tizo-Pedroso, Everton; Lange, Denise; Vilela, Andréa Andrade; Justino, Danielle Garcia; Alves‐Martins, Fernanda; Germanos, Erika; Arruda, Rafael; Stefani, Vanessa

doi:10.1155/2012/791395

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Patterns of animal diversity are highly influenced by habitat availability and complexity, which are frequently shaped by vegetation architecture (Tews et al, 2004; Arcoverde et al, 2018). At the microhabitat scale, the morphological structure of different plant species commonly drives richness (Diniz et al, 2012), distribution (Situngu & Barker, 2017), and functional trait patterns (Gonçalves‐Souza et al, 2014) of the organisms inhabiting them. Rosette‐shaped plants, such as bromeliads and Eryngium spp., have intricate morphology with overlapping leaves, creating suitable microhabitats for several vertebrates (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of a rosette‐shaped plant (Eryngium horridum, Apiaceae) on grassland spiders along a grazing intensity gradient

Bomfim

Bitencourt

Rodrigues

et al. 2021

Insect Conserv Diversity

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Rosette‐shaped plants can amplify the diversity of predator arthropods and act as potential shelters for these animals in grassland ecosystems under grazing effect. Here we evaluated the contribution of a vertical rosette‐shaped plant (Eryngium horridum) to patterns of spider diversity and functional traits in subtropical grasslands under different grazing intensities. We used a common sub‐shrub (Baccharis crispa) and the herbaceous vegetation as reference microhabitats. Sampling was conducted in 23 plots described according to grazing intensity based on environmental co‐variables. Spiders were sampled with D‐Vac suction within patches of E. horridum, B. crispa, and the herbaceous vegetation. Compared to the reference microhabitats, E. horridum harboured distinct community composition with a subset of exclusive species, and morphologically adapted spiders. Spider richness increased in Eryngium plants as grazing pressure increased and the grassland became more simplified. Abundance of runners and space web‐builders responded in a similar fashion, while orb‐web builders were more abundant in E. horridum regardless of grazing intensity. Our results indicate that these rosette plants positively affect top invertebrate predators, with a special role for sites with high grazing intensities where it promotes microhabitat complexity and aggregates more individuals and species. Thus, grassland management that alter Eryngium's occurrence must be conducted cautiously.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of a rosette‐shaped plant (Eryngium horridum, Apiaceae) on grassland spiders along a grazing intensity gradient

Bomfim

Bitencourt

Rodrigues

et al. 2021

Insect Conserv Diversity

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show abstract

“…Spiders are considered excellent predators, and, when they live on plants, they forage for their prey. In addition, spiders occasionally use plant resources to supplement their insect-based diet [5][6][7][8]. Among these plant-supplied foods are extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) [8,9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spider–Plant Interaction: The Role of Extrafloral Nectaries in Spider Attraction and Their Influence on Plant Herbivory and Reproduction

de Oliveira Dias,

Stefani

2024

Plants

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Spiders, abundant and diverse arthropods which occur in vegetation, have received little attention in studies investigating spider–plant interactions, especially in plants which have extrafloral nectaries (EFNs). This study examines whether spiders attracted to EFNs on the plant Heteropterys pteropetala (Malpighiaceae) function as biological protectors, mitigating leaf herbivory and positively impacting plant fitness, through manipulative experiments. Spiders are attracted to EFNs because, in addition to consuming the resource offered by these structures, they also consume the herbivores that are attracted by the nectar. At the same time, we documented the reproductive phenology of the plant studied and the abundance of spiders over time. Our results revealed that the plant’s reproductive period begins in December with the emergence of flower buds and ends in April with the production of samarids, fruits which are morphologically adapted for wind dispersal, aligning with the peak abundance of spiders. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that spiders are attracted to plants that exude EFNs, resulting in a positive impact on reducing leaf area loss but with a neutral effect on protecting reproductive structures. By revealing the protective function of spiders’ vegetative structures on plants, this research highlights the ecological importance of elucidating the dynamics between spiders and plants, contributing to a deeper understanding of ecosystems.

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Induced indirect defence in a spider–plant system mediated by pericarpial nectaries

2019

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Some plant species attacked by herbivore species produce additional resources to attract predators and induce an indirect defence process. We evaluated whether Palicourea rigida (Rubiaceae) individuals can induce indirect defences as response to herbivory simulation by increasing pericarpial nectar production and volatile emissions, as well as whether spiders are attracted by such induced indirect defences. We selected 30 P. rigida individuals and simulated herbivory in 15 of them by cutting out half of all leaves using pruning shears. We did not manipulate the other 15 plants (control group). At three different times, we measured nectar volume and calories of the pericarpial nectary in the inflorescences of all plants of control and treatment groups. We also quantified spider abundance on these plants. In another experiment, we selected salticid spider, Thiodina sp., to determine whether predators detect chemical tracks of plant volatiles produced by the plant after herbivory simulations. We also tested whether the honey solution could emit olfactory signals capable of attractive spiders. We showed that P. rigida produced higher volume of pericarpial nectar presenting more calories after herbivory simulation. The abundance of spiders was higher in plants subjected to herbivory simulation than control plants. Thiodina sp. did not respond to the volatile chemical tracks produced by the leaves after the simulation, but it had a positive response to olfactory tracks associated with the sucrose solution. Such an outcome indicates the ability of this spider to locate nectar honey plants and olfactory signals of honey. Thus, plants respond to the action of herbivores by producing more pericarpial nectar and nectar with more calories. Although our knowledge about the olfactory physiology of arachnids remains incipient, we highlight the importance of chemical and olfactory tracks for decision‐making of spiders in foraging on plants and the herbivory influence on the behaviour of cursorial spiders.

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Might Heterostyly Underlie Spider Occurrence on Inflorescences? A Case Study ofPalicourea rigida(Rubiaceae), a Common Shrub from Brazilian Cerrado

Cited by 5 publications

References 25 publications

The role of a rosette‐shaped plant (Eryngium horridum, Apiaceae) on grassland spiders along a grazing intensity gradient

The role of a rosette‐shaped plant (Eryngium horridum, Apiaceae) on grassland spiders along a grazing intensity gradient

Spider–Plant Interaction: The Role of Extrafloral Nectaries in Spider Attraction and Their Influence on Plant Herbivory and Reproduction

Induced indirect defence in a spider–plant system mediated by pericarpial nectaries

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