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Inbreeding influences herbivory in Cucurbita pepo ssp. texana (Cucurbitaceae)

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Abstract

In a series of field experiments Diabrotica beetle herbivory was found to influence the magnitude of inbreeding depression in Cucurbita pepo ssp. texana, an annual monoecious vine. Beetles damage flowers and fruits and chew dime-sized holes in leaf tissue between major veins. Inbred plants were found to be more likely to be damaged by beetles and to have more leaves damaged per plant than outcrossed plants. A positive linear association was found between the coefficient of inbreeding and the magnitude of leaf damage, whereas a negative association was found between coefficient of inbreeding and several male and female fitness traits. When pesticides were used to control beetle herbivory, the interaction between coefficient of inbreeding and pesticide treatment was significant for fruit production and marginally significant for pollen quantity per anther. Therefore, the magnitude of inbreeding depression in C. pepo ssp . texana varies depending on the severity of beetle herbivory.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Robert Oberheim and the Department of Horticulture for use of The Pennsylvania State University Agricultural Experimental Station at Rock Springs, Pa., USA. We thank Tony Omeis, Steve Breault, Mike Westerman, Brian Clark, Sara Simmers, and Laura Leist for field and lab assistance. This work was supported by NSF grants DEB 93–18224 and DEB 98–06691 to A.G.S.

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  1. Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, 208 Mueller Laboratory, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    C. Nelson Hayes & Andrew G. Stephenson

  2. Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, Altoona, PA, 16601, USA

    James A. Winsor

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  1. C. Nelson Hayes
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Correspondence to C. Nelson Hayes.

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Hayes, C.N., Winsor, J.A. & Stephenson, A.G. Inbreeding influences herbivory in Cucurbita pepo ssp. texana (Cucurbitaceae). Oecologia 140, 601–608 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-004-1623-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-004-1623-2

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