Drought‐induced reductions in plant defenses: Insights from extrafloral nectaries in the Caatinga dry forest

Extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) are anti‐herbivory defense‐related glands. We measured morphological and anatomical EFN traits in Pityrocarpa moniliformis trees along a rainfall gradient in Caatinga dry forest. We observed a reduction in structural EFN traits as rainfall decreased. We conclude that thi...

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Veröffentlicht in:	Biotropica 2022-01, Vol.54 (1), p.12-17
Hauptverfasser:	Câmara, Talita, Reis, Daniela Queiroz de Assis, Arnan, Xavier, Oliveira, Fernanda Maria Pereira, Arruda, Emília Cristina Pereira, Leal, Inara Roberta
Format:	Artikel
Sprache:	eng
Schlagworte:	ant–plant interactions Drought Dry forests Extrafloral nectaries facultative mutualism Glands Herbivory indirect defense intraspecific trait variation phenotypic plasticity precipitation Rain Rainfall resource availability hypothesis
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Zusammenfassung:	Extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) are anti‐herbivory defense‐related glands. We measured morphological and anatomical EFN traits in Pityrocarpa moniliformis trees along a rainfall gradient in Caatinga dry forest. We observed a reduction in structural EFN traits as rainfall decreased. We conclude that this reduction is a cost‐saving strategy, probably mediated by ants. Extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) are anti‐herbivory defense‐related glands. We measured morphological and anatomical EFN traits in Pityrocarpa moniliformis trees along a rainfall gradient in Caatinga dry forest. We observed a reduction in structural EFN traits as rainfall decreased.
ISSN:	0006-3606 1744-7429
DOI:	10.1111/btp.13041