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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

When a seed-feeding beetle is a predator and also increases the speed of seed germination: an intriguing interaction with an invasive plant

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Author(s):
da Silva, Amanda V. [1] ; Rossi, Marcelo N. [1]
Total Authors: 2
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ecol & Evolutionary Biol, Lab Ecol Populac LEPOP, BR-09941510 Diadema, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 1
Document type: Journal article
Source: EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY; v. 33, n. 2, p. 211-232, APR 2019.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Bruchine beetles are usually considered seed predators, particularly because these beetles consume the seed embryo and kill the seeds. Previous studies suggest that under certain conditions, these insects do not kill the embryo. In this study, we asked whether the germination speed of seeds of the invasive tree Leucaena leucocephala is enhanced by the seed-feeding beetle Acanthoscelides macrophthalmus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae). We also tested whether differences in germination between attacked and intact seeds could be related to seed size. We finally examined whether the number of larvae per seed affected seed germination and whether seedling emergence patterns were similar to those exhibited by germination. We found that compared to intact seeds, proportionally faster germination occurred in seeds attacked by A. macrophthalmus in 14 of the 26 populations studied. In addition, those populations that presented greater germination speed in the attacked seeds during the evaluation time also had the largest seeds. Similar to the germination experiments, seedling emergence was faster in the attacked compared to the intact seeds. Our findings show that the germination speed of L. leucocephala seeds can be enhanced by A. macrophthalmus. However, this effect is much more intense when a single larva develops inside the seed. In evolutionary terms, it is possible that the selection for larger seeds is favoured, increasing the speed of seed germination and contributing to predator satiation at the seed level. However, this effect could be minimized by the production of many seeds by L. leucocephala plants, causing predator satiation by masting effects, which would favour the selection for higher seed numbers. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 12/11612-4 - Body size and sexual size dimorphism in Acanthoscelides macrophthalmus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) populations occurring on Leucaena leucocephala (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae): an intraspecific approach
Grantee:Marcelo Nogueira Rossi
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants