Changes in the insect herbivore fauna after the first rains in a tropical dry forest
Por:
De Novais S.M.A., Monteiro G.F., Macedo-Reis L.E., Leal C.R.O., Neves F.D.S.
Publicada:
1 ene 2019
Categoría:
Ecology
Resumen:
Tropical dry forests are characterized by a pronounced dry season, when most trees shed their leaves, and a rainy season characterized by the production of new leaves. This study aimed to determine the effect of the first rains at the beginning of the rainy season on the insect herbivore fauna. We sampled 90 trees at the end of the dry season and 60 trees six days after the first rains using an entomological umbrella. Species richness and abundance of insect herbivores per tree was higher after the first rains. The results suggest a high synchrony between leaf production at the onset of the rainy season and the increase in insect herbivore diversity. Because young leaves are rich in nutrients and have a lower concentration of carbon-based defenses, many herbivore species in seasonal environments have their life cycles highly adjusted to the phenology of their host trees. © 2019, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). All Rights Reserved.
Filiaciones:
De Novais S.M.A.:
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, n° 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 31270-901, Brazil
Monteiro G.F.:
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Laboratório de Ecologia Evolutiva e Biodiversidade, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, n° 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 31270-901, Brazil
Macedo-Reis L.E.:
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, n° 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 31270-901, Brazil
Leal C.R.O.:
Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, Campinas, SP CEP 13083-970, Brazil
Neves F.D.S.:
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, n° 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 31270-901, Brazil
All Open Access; Bronze
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