Evidence of between-population differences in natural selection on extra-floral nectaries of the shrub Anemopaegma album (Bignoniaceae)

Autor(es)

Nogueira, Anselmo ^[1] ; Rey, Pedro J. ^[2] ; Alcantara, Julio M. ^[2] ; Lohmann, Lucia G. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Bot, Rua Matao 277, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Jaen, Fac Ciencias Expt, Dept Biol Anim Biol Vegetal & Ecol, Paraje Las Lagunillas S-N, Jaen 23071 - Spain

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: BOTANY; v. 94, n. 3 MAR 2016.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Extra-floral nectaries (EFNs) are thought to represent protective adaptations against herbivory, but studies on the evolutionary ecology of EFNs have seldom been conducted. Here we investigate the patterns of natural selection and genetic variation in EFN traits in two wild populations of Anemopaegma album Mart. ex DC. (Bignoniaceae) that have been previously described as contrasting EFN - ant adapted localities in the Neotropical savanna (Cristalia and Grao Mogol). In each population, four EFN descriptors, foliar damage, and reproductive success variables were measured per plant (100-120 plants per population). To estimate the heritability of EFN traits, we crossed reproductive plants in the field, and grew offspring plants in a common garden. The results showed that ant assemblages differed between populations, as did the range of foliar herbivory. Genetic variation and positive phenotypic selection in EFN abundance were only detected in the Cristalia population, in which plants with more EFNs were more likely to reproduce. An evaluation of putative causal links conducted by path analysis corroborated the existence of phenotypic selection on EFNs, which was mediated by the herbivory process in the Cristalia population. While EFNs could be currently under selection in Cristalia, it is possible that past selection may have driven EFN traits to become locally adapted to the local ant assemblage in the Grao Mogol population. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 12/02110-5 - Evolução dos nectários extraflorais: herdabilidade, seleção natural e especialização das interações formiga-planta.
• Beneficiário: Anselmo Nogueira
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 07/55433-8 - Adaptações em Anemopaegma Mart. ex Meisn. (Bignoniaceae): evolução de nectários extraflorais e tricomas como estruturas de defesa anti-herbivoria
• Beneficiário: Lúcia Garcez Lohmann
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 13/04591-3 - Seleção natural sobre os nectários extraflorais e especialização das interações formiga-planta-herbívoro
• Beneficiário: Anselmo Nogueira
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Exterior - Estágio de Pesquisa - Pós-Doutorado