Insetos Galhadores da APA do Rio Pandeiros (Januária/ MG) e o Efeito da Esclerofilia Foliar na herbivoria

Abstract

The leaf sclerophylly is characterized by thick and tough leaves due to high concentrations of carbon compounds. The ecological function of this characteristic is still controversial, could be an adaptation to the environmental conditions e/or a strategy to defenses against herbivores. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of the sclerophylly in the attack free-feeding herbivores and galling insects. We sampled three vegetation areas in Refugio da Vida Silvestre na Apa do Rio Pandeiros (Januária/MG): Brazilian savanna Cerrado, riparian forest and seasonally dry forest. All the plants with with circumference at breast height ≥ 15 cm were selected. A common measure of sclerophylly was employed, the specific leaf mass (SLM), obtained through the ratio between leaf dry mass and area. Then, we quantified the leaf area loss by herbivory and were determined the abundance and richness of the gall-forming insects. In the Cerrado was found the higher sclerophylly compared to riparian forest and seasonally dry forest. No statistically significant differences were observed in the gall abundance among habitats. As well as, the sclerophylly did not correlate with the leaf area loss and gall-forming insect diversity. In this way, we study suggest that leaf sclerophylly may be related to plant adaptation in harsh environment and not only mechanical defense against herbivores.