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Differences in leaf nutrients and developmental instability in relation to induced resistance to a gall midge

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Abstract

The hypersensitive response is an important form of plant-induced defence against galling insects and can imply changes in leaf nutrients, especially nitrogen and carbon, which are important for both gall survivorship and leaf development. We hypothesised that the hypersensitive response also causes leaf stress, which can be measured using leaf fluctuating asymmetry. This method evaluates deviations from leaf symmetry and is used to assess the health of plant populations, given that stressful conditions are positively related to levels of fluctuating asymmetry. In the current study, we investigated whether the hypersensitive response of Bauhinia brevipes (Fabaceae) to gall induction by Schizomyia macrocapillata (Cecidomyiidae) was related to differences in leaf nutrients (nitrogen and organic carbon) and/or levels of fluctuating asymmetry. More than 85 % of gall midges perished due to hypersensitive reactions. Fluctuating asymmetry was positively related to the hypersensitive response, and, consequently, this provides evidence that an induced response against herbivores increases plant stress. The concentration of nitrogen was negatively related to the hypersensitive response, indicating that leaves with increased induced defence tend to have low nitrogen levels, which could affect gall development and survival. Organic carbon was related neither to the hypersensitive response nor to fluctuating asymmetry. Galls are known to affect negatively plant development, and here we show that an induced defence against galls is related to differences in plant nitrogen and developmental stability.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the staff of the Estação Ecológica de Pirapitinga (Pirapitinga Ecological Station) for logistical support and hospitality; Embrapa - Milho e Sorgo (Brazilian Corporation of Agricultural Research); and the Departamento de Solos da Universidade Federal de Viçosa for chemical analyses. We are also grateful to two reviewers for their comments. This study had financial support from the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), the National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq), the JCS Grant No. 486742/2012-1 and the Foundation of Support Research of the State of Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG).

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  1. Estevão Alves-Silva

    Present address: Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Rua Prof. Dr. Renato Figueiro Varella s/n, Caixa Postal 08, Nova Xavantina, Mato Grosso, CEP: 78690-000, Brazil

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, CEP: 38405-320, Brazil

    Jean Carlos Santos & Estevão Alves-Silva

  2. Ecologia Evolutiva & Biodiversidade/DBG, ICB/Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Caixa Postal 486, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, CEP: 30161970, Brazil

    Tatiana G. Cornelissen

  3. Department of Natural Sciences, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Campus Dom Bosco, São João Del-Rei, MG, CEP: 36301-160, Brazil

    Geraldo Wilson Fernandes

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  1. Jean Carlos Santos
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Correspondence to Jean Carlos Santos.

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Santos, J.C., Alves-Silva, E., Cornelissen, T.G. et al. Differences in leaf nutrients and developmental instability in relation to induced resistance to a gall midge. Arthropod-Plant Interactions 11, 163–170 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-016-9472-6

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