Consumo de hojas por herbívoros en manglares del estuario del Río Dagua, Costa Pacífica Colombiana

Abstract

Leaf consumption by herbivores in mangroves of the Dagua river estuary, Pacific coast of Colombia. Herbivore leaf consumption of various mangrove species in relation to environmental factors and leaf hardness were studied in the Dagua river estuary, Colombia. Leaf consumption and damage were assessed by measuring the percentage of area attacked by herbivores, distinguishing between consumption and damage. The species that suffered the highest consumption, such as Avicennia germinans (Avicenniaceae) and Laguncularia racemosa (Combretaceae), had softer leaves and less herbivore species when compared with Rhizophora spp. (Rhizophoraceae) and Pelliciera rhizophorae (Theaceae). The abundance and diversity of leaf grazing and its variability among mangrove species in the Dagua River estuary, show the importance of the trophic dynamics of live vegetable matter, in spite of their relatively low contribution to removing organic matter.

First report of Avicennia germinans (Acanthaceae) as a larval host of Junonia litoralis (Nymphalidae) causing higher foliar damage in seedlings than trees

“…Data obtained for herbivory show important differences when comparing seedlings (0%–100% range) with trees (0%–64% range), but the overall average damage value of 10.2% (±25.4 SD ) of the total leaf area is similar to leaf herbivory estimations reporting around 10% damage (Brauko et al, 2011; Cannicci et al, 2008; Duke, 2002; Erickson et al, 2012; Faraco & Lana, 2004; Farnsworth & Ellison, 1991; Feller, 2002; Johnstone, 1981; Menezes & Piexoto, 2009; Robertson, 1991; Robertson & Duke, 1987; Romero et al, 2006; Sousa & Dangremond, 2011). These results in herbivory damage were obtained under different environmental conditions, population dynamics, leaf chemistry, nutritional value, and palatability (Duke, 2002; Faraco & Lana, 2004; Farnsworth & Ellison, 1991; Feller et al, 2013; Fernandes et al, 2009; Kihia et al, 2012; Lacerda et al, 1986; Ohsaki et al, 2020; Onuf et al, 1977; Sato, 2018; Saur et al, 1999; Tong et al, 2006) and by discrete or continuous measurement methods (Cannicci et al, 2008; Menezes & Piexoto, 2009; Silva et al, 2015; Sousa & Dangremond, 2011).…”

“…This preference for seedlings may be explained by tender leaves with higher nutritive value in young plants and fewer secondary compounds. As leaves mature, the nutrient content declines, excreted salts accumulate on the surface, and leaf toughness increases with metabolic changes in internal fluxes of carbon and minerals (Balakrishnan et al, 2016; Choong, 1996; Elster et al, 1999; Faraco & Lana, 2004; Farnsworth & Ellison, 1991; Ohsaki et al, 2020; Robertson & Duke, 1987; Romero et al, 2006; Roth‐Nebelsick et al, 2001; Saur et al, 1999; Silva et al, 2015; Tiffin, 2002). In another study, Farnsworth and Ellison (1991) found variations in damage between trees and seedlings in Neotropical mangroves (Belize), with higher percentages sometimes occurring in trees.…”

“…Herbivore guilds are significant structural components of mangrove communities and deserve special attention because of their role in trophic networks (Anderson & Lee, 1995;Cannicci et al, 2008;Sousa & Dangremond, 2011;Farnsworth & Ellison, 1991;Feller, 2002;Feller et al, 2013;Feller & Chamberlain, 2007;Offenberg et al, 2004;Robertson, 1991;Romero et al, 2006;Santos et al, 2013). According to our results, J. litoralis occurred in A. germinans and not in the associated herbaceous salt marsh or bush species.…”

Introduced mangroves escape damage from marine and terrestrial enemies

“…Some micronutrients (e.g., Fe, Mg, Ca) may be more available to introduced mangroves (Appendix S2: Table S1) and enhance mangrove growth in some contexts (Reef et al, 2010), but is unlikely to explain performance and damage differences alone. Furthermore, we do not think such differences are driven by inherent differences in consumer diversity and abundance between the Pacific and Caribbean basins because Eastern Pacific mangroves also host similar enemies and damage levels as the Caribbean (Dangremond, 2015; Farnsworth & Ellison, 1997; Perry, 1988; Romero et al, 2006). Similarly, our results may partially stem from differences in island vs. mainland sites.…”