Plant-herbivore interactions and secondary metabolites of plants: Ecological and evolutionary perspectives

Abstract

<p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Throughout disciplines including paleontology and molecular biology, hence using the fossil record or DNA sequences, ancestral and current plant-herbivore associations mediated by secondary compounds have been assessed. The coevolutionary model of “escape and radiation” predicts adaptive patterns at micro- and macro-evolutionary scale, resulted from the plant-herbivore interaction.</p><p><strong>Questions:</strong> The study of plant-herbivore interaction and secondary metabolites, has been bias for two main reasons: (1) the interdisciplinary study of the interaction has “atomized" the field. (2) The conceptual framework of coevolution favored analysis either within populations or across taxa.</p><p><strong>Methods</strong>:<strong> </strong>I review the evolutionary history of the interaction and secondary metabolites, from paleontological and palebiochemical data. Then, based on empirical evidence of quantitative genetics and comparative methods, I examine the main assumptions of micro- and macro-evolutionary postulates of the coevolutionary model. Further, I overview the analytical approach for the study of plant defense within-species and across phylogeny.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Within species, (1) the coevolutionary dynamics shaping plants and herbivore phenotypes, and (2) the role of plant chemistry to constraint ecological interactions, are the most stressed patterns. Across phylogeny, (1) the role of plant chemistry to constraint insect host shifts, and (2) the implications of, and mechanism behind the evolutionary novelties, are more recently assessed.</p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>I suggest that future research should integrate both conceptual and analytical perspectives of micro- and macro-evolutionary approaches. One promising direction relies in modern molecular techniques that may open new research avenues by providing evidence for the function of complex genetic and genomic machineries behind biotic interactions.

The Angiosperm Terrestrial Revolution and the origins of modern biodiversity

“…However, short lifespans correlate with higher nitrogen levels in leaves and hence palatability to herbivores (Wright et al ., 2004), and angiosperms such as grasses and forbs can yield energy at twice the level of conifers and cycads (Hümmel et al ., 2008). By contrast, slower growing, less palatable angiosperm species often have increased chemical and structural defences, but these also drive diversification of herbivores as they adapt and specialize (Coley & Barone, 1996; Furstenberg‐Hagg et al ., 2013; Kariñho‐Betancourt, 2018). Productivity, palatability, and defence of angiosperm leaves presumably were all significant factors promoting the overall uptick in biodiversity associated with the ATR.…”

Differential expression of genes associated with phenolic compounds in galls of Quercus castanea induced by Amphibolips michoacaensis

“…Main metabolic changes during gall development include, for example, an increase in lipid and sugar concentration (Brooner 1992) and variation in the concentration of secondary metabolites (Janzen 1977;Tooker et al 2008). Since many compounds, such as alkaloids, glucosinolates and phenolics, have been implicated in defense mechanisms of plants against their natural enemies (Thaler et al 1999;Agrawal et al 2012;War et al 2012;Moctezuma et al 2014;Kariñho-Betancourt et al 2015;Kariñho-Betancourt 2018), the chemical profile of galls is expected to play a key role in mediating the interaction between host plants and parasites.…”

CHEMICAL VARIABILITY OF Allamanda cathartica L. FLOWERS ASSESSED BY MULTIVARIATE DATA ANALYSIS

“…This defensive function is considered a milestone in the evolution of photosynthetic eukaryotes. 15 The transition from aquatic plants to terrestrial plants resulted in biochemical and biogenetic diversifications in the metabolism of these organisms. Paleochemical analyzes of ancestral plants have shown an increase of metabolite diversity of lignin, terpenoid, tannin and flavonoid.…”

“…Flavonoids are responsible for many functions in the plants, mainly give color and flavor to flowers and, as in most phenolic compounds, prevent herbivory inhibiting the activity of predatory digestive enzymes. 15 Flavones and flavonols are chemical protectors in flowers, absorbing shorter light waves lengths, protecting plant cells against photooxidation. Also, these substances are attractive to insects that see in the extreme range of ultraviolet rays.…”