Local adaptation of Ruellia nudiflora (Acanthaceae) to biotic counterparts: complex scenarios revealed when two herbivore guilds are considered.
This study evaluated whether the herb Ruellia nudiflora is locally adapted to a specialist insect seed predator (SP) and insect folivores, and if plant local adaptation (LA) to the former is more likely. A reciprocal transplant experiment was conducted using three sites in Yucatan (Mexico) (n = 864 plants). A third of the plants of each origin were placed at each site, and we recorded the following during a 9-month period: fruit number, leaf damage, and fruits attacked by SP. Results indicated lack of plant LA for all the variables measured. Instead, seed predation was c. 100% greater for native plants at one study site, suggesting insect LA or plant maladaptation; folivory was homogeneous across sites/origins. Based on these results, we discuss differences in the potential each herbivore guild has to promote plant LA, as well as divergent evolutionary outcomes of plant-herbivore interactions across sites.
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Departamento de Ecología Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Yucatán, México.
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Abdala-Roberts
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Herrera
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D027901:Acanthaceae / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005638:Fruit / Q000502:physiology; D007313:Insecta / Q000502:physiology; D008800:Mexico; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000502:physiology; D012639:Seeds / Q000502:physiology