Abstract

SILVA, Jhonathan O; JESUS, Fabiene M; FAGUNDES, Marcílio  and  FERNANDES, G Wilson. Sclerophylly, tannins and herbivorous insects associated with Copaifera lagsdorffii Desf. (Fabaceae:Caesalpinioideae) in a Cerrado-Caatinga transition, Brazil. Ecol. austral [online]. 2009, vol.19, n.3, pp.197-206. ISSN 1667-782X.

The richness and abundance of free-feeding insect herbivores may vary according to leaf sclerophylly, tannin concentration, and habitat conditions. We sampled 12 individuals of Copaifera langsdorffii in three different habitat physiognomies found in a cerrado-caatinga transition area in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil: 1) Cerrado ("sensu stricto"), 2) Riparian Forest, and 3) Seasonally Dry Forest (n=36 individuals). Higher richness and abundance of chewing herbivores were observed on C. langsdorffii in the Riparian Forest and Cerrado compared to Seasonally Dry Forest. On the other hand, the richness and abundance of sap-sucking herbivores did not differ among the habitats. No statistically significant differences were observed in leaf sclerophylly and tannin concentration among physiognomies, as well as no relationship was found among tannin concentration, leaf sclerophylly and richness and abundance of any of the insect guilds studied. The flushing of leaves by C. langsdorffi at the end of the dry season in the deciduous forest may be a mechanism to escape herbivores. Otherwise, for a detailed analysis long term studies at the vegetation formation where the host plant species is distributed and the selective pressures exerted by its herbivores are called for.

Keywords : Chemical defenses; Hygrothermal stress; Specific leaf mass.

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