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Away-range shifts in leaf function of a global invader: a case of resource reallocation?

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Abstract

Leaf resource allocation plays a significant role in the evolution of plant functional strategies, where tradeoffs between defense, structure, and different components of photosynthesis drive the partitioning of carbon and nitrogen. One hypothesized but underexplored mechanism of the success of many invasive species in competition with natives is reallocation of resources toward higher photosynthetic capacity, assuming they experience reduced pest consumption in their invaded (‘away’) range. We examined leaf function and chemistry in the context of carbon and nitrogen (N) budgets in home- (Japan) and away-range (France and USA) populations of the global invader, Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica (Houtt.) var. japonica). In 38 field populations, we measured photosynthetic CO2 (A-Ci) response curves and quantified the proportion of leaf N allocated to separate photosynthetic processes, including carboxylation (Rubisco content), light harvesting, and the electron transport chain, plus the amount of N allocated to cell structure (cell wall protein) and defense (total alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides). Consistent with our hypothesis, we found significantly higher leaf N allocation to photosynthesis in both away range populations, particularly Rubisco content, along with higher total leaf N in USA populations. However, neither maximum carboxylation capacity nor light-saturated photosynthetic rates were greater in the away ranges, nor did we find reduced allocation to leaf structure (cell wall protein). Further, USA populations had significantly greater concentrations of defensive cyanogenic glycosides, where some native-range herbivores have unintentionally been introduced. Our study suggests that away-range changes in invader leaf function may be more complex than a simple expectation based on photosynthetic capacity.

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Acknowledgements

This project was supported by grant IOS-1754273 from the U.S. National Science Foundation. We thank research assistants Morgane Dauvé, Morgan Bault, Jeremy Delamare, Tiphaine Mroczek, Océane Raymond, Noémie Pernes, Noelle Stevens, and Ilknur Yakilkan, and two anonymous reviewers.

Funding

Funding was provided by National Science Foundation (Grant no: IOS-1754273).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA

    Robert J. Griffin-Nolan, Julie LeVonne & Jason Fridley

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Chico, CA, USA

    Robert J. Griffin-Nolan

  3. Unite Ecologie et Dynamique des Systemes Anthropises, Universite de Picardie Jules Verne, 1 rue des Louvels, 80037, Amiens Cedex, France

    Lamine Bensaddek, Guillaume Decocq & Thomas Kichey

  4. Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Aoba, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan

    Kouki Hikosaka & Masako Mishio

  5. Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA

    Jason Fridley

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  1. Robert J. Griffin-Nolan
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  2. Lamine Bensaddek
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  3. Guillaume Decocq
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Contributions

This study was conceived by JF with input from co-PIs KH, TK, and GD. All authors contributed to the design of the study. Data collection was performed by RJG-N, LB, TK, JL, and MM. Data curation and formal analysis were performed by RJG-N and J Fridley. The initial draft of the manuscript from written by RJG-N and JF. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Robert J. Griffin-Nolan.

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Griffin-Nolan, R.J., Bensaddek, L., Decocq, G. et al. Away-range shifts in leaf function of a global invader: a case of resource reallocation?. Biol Invasions (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-024-03262-0

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