Title

Effect of sunlight intensity and canopy coverage on herbivory in Gunnera insignis (Gunneraceae)

Alternative Title

Efecto de la intensidad de la luz solar y la cobertura del dosel en la herbivoría en Gunnera insignis (Gunneraceae)

Creator

Carolyn Rivers

Files

Publication Date

May 2008

Abstract

Studies on the influence of sunlight on herbivory have generally revealed that increased amounts of leaf damage occur in cool, shaded habitats. This study investigates the effects of both sunlight and canopy coverage on herbivore damage in Gunnera insignis by the undescribed beetle Macrohaltica sp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). This beetle is thought to feed on G. insignis because it can obtain secondary metabolites that make it undesirable to predators. In this investigation, all 90 plants studied revealed herbivore damage, with 71% of plants showing evidence of herbivory on the majority of leaves. The highest levels of leaf damage occurred on plants in both high light and high shade habitats, while those in moderate sunlight conditions revealed reduced herbivore damage. Resource availability, nutritional quality, and plant defenses influenced by sunlight could account for the variation in leaf consumption on G. insignis. Because light environment influences a number of factors related to the survival of a plant, the effects of sunlight on herbivory are complex and require further investigation. Estudios previos en la influencia de la luz solar en la herbivoría generalmente han mostrado un mayor daño en las hojas ocurriendo en hábitats fríos y con sombra. Este estudio investiga el efecto de ambos, la luz solar y la cobertura del dosel en el daño de herbívoros en Gunnera insignis por el escarabajo Macrohaltica sp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

Keywords

Herbivores--Ecology, Herbivoros--Ecologia, Cloud forest ecology, Ecologia del bosque nuboso, Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Monteverde Zone, Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Zona de Monteverde, CIEE Spring 2008, CIEE Primavera 2008

Geographic Location

Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Monteverde Zone; Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Zona de Monteverde

Type

Text

Media Type

Reports

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute MVI

Identifier

M39-00440

Recommended Citation

Rivers, Carolyn, "Effect of sunlight intensity and canopy coverage on herbivory in Gunnera insignis (Gunneraceae)" (2008). Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]. 11.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/11