The evolution of antiherbivore defenses and their contribution to species coexistence in the tropical tree genus Inga.

ABSTRACT: Plants and their herbivores constitute more than half of the organisms in tropical forests. Therefore, a better understanding of the evolution of plant defenses against their herbivores may be central for our understanding of tropical biodiversity. Here, we address the evolution of antiherbivore defenses and their possible contribution to coexistence in the Neotropical tree genus Inga (Fabaceae). Inga has >300 species, has radiated recently, and is frequently one of the most diverse and abundant genera at a given site. For 37 species from Panama and Peru we characterized developmental, ant, and chemical defenses against herbivores. We found extensive variation in defenses, but little evidence of phylogenetic signal. Furthermore, in a multivariate analysis, developmental, ant, and chemical

SUBMITTER: Kursar TA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2775284 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature