The impact of simulated folivory on juveniles of Metrodorea pubescens (Rutaceae) in a gallery forest near Brasília, Federal District, Brazil

A field experiment was conducted to test the effects of simulated folivory on leaf production, plant growth rate and mortality of small individuals of Metrodorea pubescens in an evergreen gallery forest in central Brazil. Although complete defoliation decreased annual growth rate, both in absolute and relative values, it also stimulated leaf production. Mortality was observed only in individuals in the smallest size class, but was not statistically related to percentage defoliation. Recovery of completely defoliated individuals was rapid and after one year over 70% of their initial number of leaves was present. It is probable that insect folivory is not a direct cause of mortality of juveniles of this species. Urn experimento de campo visando testar o efeito da herbivoria, através de simulaçao, na produçao foliar, no crescimento e na mortalidade de jovens de M. pubescens foi realizado em uma mata de galena do Brasil Central. Mortalidade foi observada somente nos indivíduous menores que 20 cm e nao foi relacionada estatisticamente com a percentagem de desfolhaçao. A recuperaçao dos indivfduos totalmente desfolhados foi rápida e após um ano mais que 70% do seu número inicial de folhas estavam presente. Assim, é provável que a herbivoria por insetos nao seja um fator que cause mortalidade nos jovens desta espécie.