Abstract
ABSTRACT The aims of the present study were to verify whether plants from Mussununga differ from those of Mata Alta in relation to herbivory, water content, and fibres, and to test whether plants with lower leaf water content and higher fibres are less attacked by chewing insects. The results indicated that leaf herbivory percentages and fibres were similar between the two communities, although individuals from Mata Alta showed higher leaf water content than individuals from Mussununga. Thus, the herbivory patterns found for these tree communities do not seem to not be influenced by water content and fibres. Other factors (e.g., chemical defenses and/or herbivores) may be acting as main drivers.
Highlights
Herbivory exerts an important selective pressure on plants (Coley et al 1985) and can positively affect leaf growth and leaf production (Nascimento & Hay 1993, Nascimento & Hay 1994)
The study was performed in two areas with distinct physiognomies located within the Vale Natural Reserve (Reserva Natural Vale - RNV) in Linhares, state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, between the parallels 19o05' and 19o18'S and meridians 39o45' and 40o19'W
A 1-ha permanent plot was applied in two areas: the Mata Alta (19°09'14.2"S and 040°02'0.004"W) and Mussununga forests (19°09'078"S and 040°02'197"W)
Summary
Herbivory exerts an important selective pressure on plants (Coley et al 1985) and can positively affect leaf growth and leaf production (Nascimento & Hay 1993, Nascimento & Hay 1994). Herbivory pressure allows for the evolution of different defense mechanisms (Marquis 1984, Coley et al 1985), including physical/mechanical defenses, such as thorns (Cooper & Ginnett 1998) and nonglandular trichomes (Baur et al 1991, Rodrigues et al 2012, Fürstenberg-Hägg et al 2013), and chemical defenses, such as the production of a series of toxins and defense proteins that target the physiological processes of insects, in an attempt to repel or intoxicate herbivores (Coley & Barone 1996, Mello & Silva- Filho 2002, Gullan & Cranston 2007, Trigo et al 2012). Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em
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