Evolution of growth traits in invasive Pereskia aculeata (Cactaceae): testing the EICA hypothesis using its specialist herbivore, Catorhintha schaffneri (Coreidae)

Pest Management Science
Ikponmwosa N EgbonMartin Hill

Abstract

Species introduced into new habitats are fitter than their native populations, as hypothesized by the 'evolution of increased competitive ability' (EICA). Here, Pereskia aculeata Miller was used as a model to test EICA and explore how 'enemy release' may have influenced the invasion success of its 400-year-old introduced populations (genotypes) compared with native populations. Plant growth traits (height and shoot length) of 15 genotypes [four from the introduced range (South Africa) and 11 from the native range (Brazil and Argentina, Venezuela and The Dominican Republic)] were assessed. Damage and impact of a shoot-feeding, sap-sucking specialist Catorhintha schaffneri Brailovsky & Garcia on ten genotypes were also compared. All but one of the invasive genotypes were significantly taller than native genotypes. Although the invasive genotypes were relatively more damaged by herbivory than some of the native genotypes, the observed differences were not explained completely by their origins. Nonetheless, the findings partially supported the predictions of the EICA hypothesis because invasive genotypes were generally taller than native genotypes, but did not fully support the hypothesis because they were not always more damaged t...Continue Reading

References

Feb 3, 2009·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Benjamin M BolkerJada-Simone S White
Apr 9, 2011·Phytochemistry Reviews : Proceedings of the Phytochemical Society of Europe·Leonie J Doorduin, Klaas Vrieling
Apr 12, 2012·Annals of Botany·Srijana Joshi, Katja Tielbörger
Sep 5, 2012·The New Phytologist·David M Richardson, Petr Pyšek
Aug 6, 2019·Ecology and Evolution·Lotte A van BoheemenKathryn A Hodgins

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