Relationship between gall-midge parasitism, plant vigor, and developmental instability in Ouratea polygyna Engl (Ochnaceae) in a patch of a Brazilian Atlantic Forest

We tested the preference prediction of plant vigor hypothesis by examining the relationship between gall occurrence and leaf size. We also examined the effect of galls on leaf asymmetry, which is a measure of developmental instability. Gall occurrence did not increase with leaf size, thereby providi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta Botânica Brasílica 2015-06, Vol.29 (2), p.274-277
Main Authors: Silva, Maíra Honorato de Moura, Almeida-Cortez, Jarcilene Silva de, Silva, Estevão Alves, Santos, Jean Carlos
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
biotic disturbance
Cecidomyiidae
leaf asymmetry
preference prediction
stress
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Summary:We tested the preference prediction of plant vigor hypothesis by examining the relationship between gall occurrence and leaf size. We also examined the effect of galls on leaf asymmetry, which is a measure of developmental instability. Gall occurrence did not increase with leaf size, thereby providing no support to the preference prediction. Galled leaves were significantly more asymmetric than ungalled leaves. Moreover, leaf asymmetry increased with both gall occurrence and gall size, indicating that galls boosted the stress levels in Ouratea polygyna.
ISSN:0102-3306
1677-941X
0102-3306
DOI:10.1590/0102-33062014abb3727