Local adaptation of Ruellia nudiflora (Acanthaceae) to biotic counterparts: complex scenarios revealed when two herbivore guilds are considered

• Published in: Journal of evolutionary biology Vol. 22; no. 11; pp. 2288 - 2297
• Main Authors: ORTEGÓN‐CAMPOS, I., PARRA‐TABLA, V., ABDALA‐ROBERTS, L., HERRERA, C. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.11.2009
• Subjects: Acanthaceae; Acanthaceae - embryology; Acanthaceae - growth & development; Acanthaceae - physiology; Adaptation, Physiological; Animals; Botany; Evolutionary biology; Feeding Behavior; folivory; Fruit - physiology; fruit production; Herbivores; Herbs; Insecta - physiology; Insects; local adaptation; Mexico; Plant Leaves - physiology; Ruellia nudiflora; seed predation; Seeds - physiology; spatial variation; Yucatan Mexico
• ISSN: 1010-061X; 1420-9101
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2009.01847.x

This study evaluated whether the herb Ruellia nudiflora is locally adapted to a specialist insect seed predator (SP) and insect folivores, and if plant local adaptation (LA) to the former is more likely. A reciprocal transplant experiment was conducted using three sites in Yucatan (Mexico) (n = 864 plants). A third of the plants of each origin were placed at each site, and we recorded the following during a 9‐month period: fruit number, leaf damage, and fruits attacked by SP. Results indicated lack of plant LA for all the variables measured. Instead, seed predation was c. 100% greater for native plants at one study site, suggesting insect LA or plant maladaptation; folivory was homogeneous across sites/origins. Based on these results, we discuss differences in the potential each herbivore guild has to promote plant LA, as well as divergent evolutionary outcomes of plant–herbivore interactions across sites.