Evolution of extrafloral nectaries: adaptive process and selective regime changes from forest to savanna

Nogueira, Anselmo; Rey, Pedro J.; Lohmann, Lúcia G.

doi:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2012.02615.x

Cited by 33 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 58 publications

(97 reference statements)

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“…Such variable responses might be expected because of the very high phylogenetic diversity (and consequently independent evolutionary histories) of EFN‐bearing plants (Barrera & Nobel , Nogueira et al . ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…How-ever, the abundance of other EFN-bearing species declined with increasing disturbance, and so can be considered as disturbance losers. Such variable responses might be expected because of the very high phylogenetic diversity (and consequently independent evolutionary histories) of EFN-bearing plants (Barrera & Nobel 2004, Nogueira et al 2012). The species composition of ant attendants varied between low/moderately disturbed sites on the one hand, and high/very highly disturbed sites on the other, mainly due to differences in the frequency of occurrence of the two primary attendant species, Camponotus crassus and Camponotus sp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…EFNs have evolved independently many times (Barrera & Nobel , Nogueira et al . ), occurring in more than 700 genera representing more than 108 families (Marazzi et al . ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…EFNs are not related to pollination, but rather attract aggressive insects (particularly ants) that help protect the plant from its insect herbivores (Rico-Gray & Oliveira 2007 and references therein). EFNs have evolved independently many times (Barrera & Nobel 2004, Nogueira et al 2012, occurring in more than 700 genera representing more than 108 families (Marazzi et al 2013). EFNs are especially prevalent in plants with high growth rates and affinity for full-light habitats, which are common traits of pioneer species (Schupp & Feener 1991, Bluthgen & Reinferath 2003.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Disturbance Winners or Losers? Plants Bearing Extrafloral Nectaries in Brazilian Caatinga

2015

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Plants bearing extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) often have traits typical of pioneer species, and may be expected to proliferate in disturbed habitats. However, a negative effect of disturbance on visitation by attendant ants could prevent EFN‐bearing plants from acting as disturbance winners. Here, we address the effects of chronic anthropogenic disturbance on the abundance of EFN‐bearing plants and their interactions with attendant ants in Caatinga vegetation of northeastern Brazil. We recorded the abundance of EFN‐bearing plants, proportion of plants visited by ants and composition of ant attendant species at 24 sites varying in levels of disturbance. EFN‐bearing plants as a whole did not behave as a disturbance winner group. The responses of the 13 species to increasing disturbance were highly variable, with three species declining in abundance (loser species). The richness of ant species attending EFNs did not vary with disturbance, but species composition did. The overall proportion of EFN‐bearing plants attended by ants per 5‐min period was not affected by disturbance. However, for the three loser species, attendance decreased from about 50 percent with low and moderate disturbance to half that with very high disturbance. We hypothesize that disturbed sites are more stressful for loser species compared with other EFN‐bearing plants, with physiological stress resulting in lower production of EFN secretions and reduced attraction of ants. This would make such species double losers, with physiological stress at disturbed sites not only directly influencing their performance but also indirectly affecting it through the disruption of a key mutualism.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…EFNs have evolved independently many times (Barrera & Nobel , Nogueira et al . ), occurring in more than 700 genera representing more than 108 families (Marazzi et al . ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Disturbance Winners or Losers? Plants Bearing Extrafloral Nectaries in Brazilian Caatinga

2015

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“…Although EFNs occur in monocots, the bulk of their occurrence is widespread among eudicots, especially in the rosids clade (Weber & Keeler 2013). Evidence suggests that EFNs originated a remarkable number of times in the evolution of tracheophytes (Weber & Keeler 2013) and played a key evolutionary role in the diversifi cation of certain plant clades (Marazzi & Sanderson 2010;Nogueira et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are stem nectaries common in Gentianaceae Juss.?

2017

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Extrafl oral nectaries (EFNs) are specialized structures that produce and release nectar and are located on leaves, cotyledons and, more seldomly, stems. Peculiar leaf nectaries have been described for thirty-three Neotropical species of Gentianaceae, while stem nectaries have been reported for only nine. Th e aim of this study was to verify the occurrence of stem EFNs within Gentianaceae and investigate the existence of a correlation between their occurrence and the geographical distribution of species. Samples of internodal regions from fi eld and herbarium specimens were submitted to standard light microscopy techniques. Data regarding the geographical distribution of species were acquired from herbarium specimens and the literature. A total of 37 species were investigated, representing 25 genera distributed among fi ve tribes. Nectaries, composed of modifi ed epidermal cells, were observed in 16 species restricted to the Neotropical tribes Helieae, Saccifolieae, Potalieae and Coutoubeinae; exceptions were Cicendia quadrangularis and Zygostigma australe, which both occur in the Neotropics but do not possess EFNs. Th ese results demonstrate that stem EFNs are common among Neotropical taxa of Gentianaceae, and are typically absent from taxa in temperate regions.

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Glandular trichomes as an inflorescence defence mechanism against insect herbivores in Iberian columbines

et al. 2012

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Glandular trichomes play a defensive role against herbivores in the leaves of many plant species. However, their functional role in inflorescences has not been studied, even though theory suggests that tissues with a higher fitness value, such as inflorescences, should be better defended. Using manipulative experiments, we analysed the defensive role of glandular trichomes against herbivorous insects in the inflorescence of Iberian columbines (genus Aquilegia), and its inter-population and inter-taxa variation in relation to herbivore abundance and potential selective pressure. The experiments were conducted in eight populations belonging to four subspecies of two columbines (Aquilegia vulgaris and Aquilegia pyrenaica). For each population, we estimated the density of glandular trichomes in the inflorescences, the abundance of insects stuck in the inflorescences, the abundance of small herbivorous insects, the incidence of damage on flowers and fruits, and the fruit set. The density of glandular trichomes on the inflorescence of A. vulgaris and A. pyrenaica was higher in regions of higher herbivore abundance. We also found that when the plants lose the protection of glandular trichomes, small insects have better access to flowers and fruits, causing more damage and reducing plant fitness. This study concludes that glandular trichomes are part of an adaptive response against phytophagous insect herbivory. The observed variation in herbivore pressure between taxa, likely caused by habitat differentiation, might have played a role in trait differentiation through divergent selection. This result adds evidence to the differentiation of the Iberian columbines through habitat specialization.

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Evolution of extrafloral nectaries: adaptive process and selective regime changes from forest to savanna

Cited by 33 publications

References 58 publications

Disturbance Winners or Losers? Plants Bearing Extrafloral Nectaries in Brazilian Caatinga

Disturbance Winners or Losers? Plants Bearing Extrafloral Nectaries in Brazilian Caatinga

Are stem nectaries common in Gentianaceae Juss.?

Glandular trichomes as an inflorescence defence mechanism against insect herbivores in Iberian columbines

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