Abstract
Leaf domatia are plant-produced cavities usually found in the axils of major veins on the abaxial side of leaves. These structures are found in many woody dicotyledonous plants and mediate a mutualistic relationships between predacious and fungivorous mites and the host plants they protect. Mites inhabit leaf domatia for shelter and to reproduce and develop. In turn, the plants are hypothesized to benefit from increased defense against pathogens and small arthropod herbivores. Here, we assess the distribution of mites throughout the tree canopy to determine if certain regions of the canopy are preferred. Our results suggests that mites prefer leaves found in the lower regions of the tree canopy and avoid leaves at the top, where they may be exposed to harsher climatic conditions. This study is one of the first to document aspects of the plant–mite mutualism from African species.
Highlights
Forest canopies support a diverse range of arthropod assemblages and these are usually distinct from those of the forest floor (Erwin, 2013; Arroyo et al, 2010; Nadkarni, 1994)
Our results suggests that mites prefer leaves found in the lower regions of the tree canopy and avoid leaves at the top, where they may be exposed to harsher climatic conditions
For O. bullata, no significant difference was found in mite abundance in terms of direction, p0.05 (Figure 2a)
Summary
Forest canopies support a diverse range of arthropod assemblages and these are usually distinct from those of the forest floor (Erwin, 2013; Arroyo et al, 2010; Nadkarni, 1994) These organisms are an important component of forests, as they carry out a range of vital ecosystem services including decomposition and nutrient cycling in above ground deposits of litter and soils (Walter and Behen-Pelletier, 1999; Dial et al, 2006). Canopy structure has a direct effect on the climate surrounding individual leaves and on the large-scale environment of forest regions. These changes in micro-climate play an important role in determining the diversity of microorganisms, insects, birds, and vascular epiphytes found in forest canopies (Nadkarni, 1994)
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