Sequential Defense Strategies: From Ant Recruitment to Leaf Toughness
Plants express many types of defenses in response to herbivory damage. These defenses can be displayed as a sequence or they can overlap, increasing efficiency in protection. However, leaf defense shifts during leaf development, including extrafloral nectaries (EFNs), are neglected in natural tropic...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| author | Danilo F. B. dos Santos Eduardo S. Calixto Helena M. Torezan-Silingardi Kleber Del-Claro |
| author_facet | Danilo F. B. dos Santos Eduardo S. Calixto Helena M. Torezan-Silingardi Kleber Del-Claro |
| author_sort | Danilo F. B. dos Santos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Plants express many types of defenses in response to herbivory damage. These defenses can be displayed as a sequence or they can overlap, increasing efficiency in protection. However, leaf defense shifts during leaf development, including extrafloral nectaries (EFNs), are neglected in natural tropical systems. To address this gap, our study evaluates the shifts in defense strategies of <i>Eriotheca gracilipes</i>, focusing on extrafloral nectaries and leaf toughness across leaf development stages. We also simulate herbivory by cutting the leaves to address the role of visiting ants against herbivores. We observed that <i>E.</i> g<i>racilipes</i> exhibits a defense turnover, shifting from indirect defenses (e.g., EFNs) in young leaves to physical defenses in adult leaves. Simulated herbivory led to heightened ant visitation, which correlated with decreased herbivory rates, indicating that ant recruitment acts as an effective deterrent. We observed a peak of EFN activity in young leaves, increased foliar toughness in adult leaves, and reduced herbivory on ant-patrolled young leaves. Additionally, <i>E. gracilipes</i> demonstrated tolerance to up to 10% foliar loss with no significant impact on leaf asymmetry, although 50% foliar loss increased asymmetry in newly flushed leaves. These results highlight <i>E. gracilipes’</i> adaptive flexibility by attracting protective ants when vulnerable and enhancing structural defenses as leaves develops, <i>E. gracilipes</i> minimizes herbivory impact. This study provides valuable insight into the adaptive roles of EFNs and tolerance in <i>E. gracilipes</i>, contributing to a broader understanding of plant defense strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e96fa89bdec641d5a445f45bd90a3ca9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj-art-e96fa89bdec641d5a445f45bd90a3ca92025-01-10T13:19:35ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472024-12-011414910.3390/plants14010049Sequential Defense Strategies: From Ant Recruitment to Leaf ToughnessDanilo F. B. dos Santos0Eduardo S. Calixto1Helena M. Torezan-Silingardi2Kleber Del-Claro3Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USAEntomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USAPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38408-100, MG, BrazilPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38408-100, MG, BrazilPlants express many types of defenses in response to herbivory damage. These defenses can be displayed as a sequence or they can overlap, increasing efficiency in protection. However, leaf defense shifts during leaf development, including extrafloral nectaries (EFNs), are neglected in natural tropical systems. To address this gap, our study evaluates the shifts in defense strategies of <i>Eriotheca gracilipes</i>, focusing on extrafloral nectaries and leaf toughness across leaf development stages. We also simulate herbivory by cutting the leaves to address the role of visiting ants against herbivores. We observed that <i>E.</i> g<i>racilipes</i> exhibits a defense turnover, shifting from indirect defenses (e.g., EFNs) in young leaves to physical defenses in adult leaves. Simulated herbivory led to heightened ant visitation, which correlated with decreased herbivory rates, indicating that ant recruitment acts as an effective deterrent. We observed a peak of EFN activity in young leaves, increased foliar toughness in adult leaves, and reduced herbivory on ant-patrolled young leaves. Additionally, <i>E. gracilipes</i> demonstrated tolerance to up to 10% foliar loss with no significant impact on leaf asymmetry, although 50% foliar loss increased asymmetry in newly flushed leaves. These results highlight <i>E. gracilipes’</i> adaptive flexibility by attracting protective ants when vulnerable and enhancing structural defenses as leaves develops, <i>E. gracilipes</i> minimizes herbivory impact. This study provides valuable insight into the adaptive roles of EFNs and tolerance in <i>E. gracilipes</i>, contributing to a broader understanding of plant defense strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/1/49defense turnoverherbivoryleaf toughnessextrafloral nectaries |
| spellingShingle | Danilo F. B. dos Santos Eduardo S. Calixto Helena M. Torezan-Silingardi Kleber Del-Claro Sequential Defense Strategies: From Ant Recruitment to Leaf Toughness Plants defense turnover herbivory leaf toughness extrafloral nectaries |
| title | Sequential Defense Strategies: From Ant Recruitment to Leaf Toughness |
| title_full | Sequential Defense Strategies: From Ant Recruitment to Leaf Toughness |
| title_fullStr | Sequential Defense Strategies: From Ant Recruitment to Leaf Toughness |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sequential Defense Strategies: From Ant Recruitment to Leaf Toughness |
| title_short | Sequential Defense Strategies: From Ant Recruitment to Leaf Toughness |
| title_sort | sequential defense strategies from ant recruitment to leaf toughness |
| topic | defense turnover herbivory leaf toughness extrafloral nectaries |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/1/49 |
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