Herbivory in Podocarpus reichei Bucholz et Gray (Podocarpaceae) by Anisodes gigantula (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in mesophilic forest at Gomez Farias, Tamaulipas, Mexico
This study examines the ecological interaction between Podocarpus reichei (a typical cloud forest tree) and Anisodes gigantula (a monoespecific lepidopteran). The damage by the herbivore Anisodes gigantula was evaluated in a long-term study as foliage volume (m3) and herbivory (percent leaf area eaten) in male and female plants. The measurements were made early and late in the wet season. Also, some leaf characteristics (water and nitrogen concentration, leaf toughness and concentration of phenolic compounds) were evaluated in the early and late wet season. Male plants were twice as grazed as female plants. For males, herbivory was 6.4 percent in the early wet season, and 26.4 percent in the late wet season. Herbivory in females was 7.4 percent in the early wet season, and 8.1 percent for late wet season. Leaf nitrogen and water content decreased as the season progressed. Phenolic content also declined, and was higher in females; it was significantly negatively correlated with inter-individual variation in herbivory in both females and males. Leaf toughness increased as the season progressed.
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| Format: | biblioteca |
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1999
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| Subjects: | PODOCARPUS, PLAGAS FORESTALES, MECANISMOS DE DEFENSA, INSECTOS DAÑINOS, VARIACION ESTACIONAL, BOSQUE TROPICAL, MEXICO, |
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