Abstract
Host plant species have very specific interconnection with galling species. Here, we estimate the potential distribution of the host plant species Andira humilis Mart. ex Benth. (Fabaceae) to consequently locate the potential distribution ranges of its galling species Lopesia andirae Garcia, Lima, Calado, and Guimarães (2017) based on ecological requirements. The ecological niche model was built using Maxent v.3.4.1k, an algorithm that estimates species’ distributions. We found suitable habitats for L. andirae encompassing areas of the Cerrado, Caatinga and Atlantic Forest. Annual mean temperature (70.2%) and temperature annual range (13.9%) were the most critical factors shaping A. humilis and necessarily L. andirae. Our results can guide taxonomists and ecologists regarding the delineation of sampling areas as well as conservation strategies for this ecological interaction.
Highlights
Galling species are specialized herbivores able to induce redifferentiation of specialized plant tissues (Arriola, Melo Júnior, Mouga, Isaias, & Costa, 2016; Fernandes, Tameirão Neto, & Martins, 1988; Oliveira & Isaias, 2010; Shorthouse, Wool, & Raman, 2005)
The highest galling species diversity is found in the tropical region, most of the taxonomic knowledge about this group is predominantly based on temperate regions (Santo & Fernandes, 2007)
Host plant species have very specific interconnection with galling species (Arriola et al, 2016; Carneiro et al, 2009; Lima & Calado, 2018; Shorthouse et al, 2005). This specificity is demonstrated by the fact that several plants are hosts for a diversity of gall morphotypes, which shows that each plant species presents different stimuli to different galling species (Arriola et al, 2016; Araújo, Scareli-Santos, Guilherme, & Cuevas-Reyes, 2013; Isaias, Oliveira, Carneiro, & Kraus, 2014; Shorthouse et al, 2005)
Summary
Galling species are specialized herbivores able to induce redifferentiation of specialized plant tissues (Arriola, Melo Júnior, Mouga, Isaias, & Costa, 2016; Fernandes, Tameirão Neto, & Martins, 1988; Oliveira & Isaias, 2010; Shorthouse, Wool, & Raman, 2005). Host plant species have very specific interconnection with galling species (Arriola et al, 2016; Carneiro et al, 2009; Lima & Calado, 2018; Shorthouse et al, 2005). According to Carneiro et al (2009), approximately 92% Cecidomyiidae species are monophagous and only 5.6% are either oligophagous or have the ability to induce galls in the same plant genus. These authors are convinced that gall morphotypes associated with host plant species may be a reliable indicator of insect-inducing species. In tropical areas where little taxonomic knowledge studies on gall midges are performed, gall morphotypes have been used as a surrogate for insect species (Fernandes & Price, 1988)
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