Better alone? A demographic case study of the hemiparasite Castilleja tenuiflora (Orobanchaceae): A first approximation

Castilleja tenuiflora is a facultative root hemiparasitic plant that has colonized a disturbed lava field in central Mexico. To determine the effects of hemiparasitism on the population dynamics of the parasite, we identified a set of potential hosts and quantified their effects on the vital rates o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Population ecology 2021-04, Vol.63 (2), p.152-164
Main Authors: Granados‐Hernández, Luisa A., Pisanty, Irene, Raventós, José, Márquez‐Guzmán, Judith, Mandujano, María C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Approximation
Castilleja tenuiflora
Elasticity
Fecundity
Growth rate
hemiparasitism
Hosts
Identification
LTRE
Mathematical analysis
Parameters
Parasites
Parasitic plants
Population dynamics
Scanning electron microscopy
Stochasticity
Survival
vital rates
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Summary:Castilleja tenuiflora is a facultative root hemiparasitic plant that has colonized a disturbed lava field in central Mexico. To determine the effects of hemiparasitism on the population dynamics of the parasite, we identified a set of potential hosts and quantified their effects on the vital rates of C. tenuiflora during 2016–2018. Connections between the roots of the hemiparasite and the hosts were confirmed with a scanning electron microscope. Annual matrices considering two conditions (with and without potential hosts) were built based on vital rates for each year, and annual stochastic finite rate growth rates (λs) were calculated. Plants produced more reproductive structures with hosts than without hosts. A Life Table Response Experiment (LTRE) was performed to compare the contributions of vital rates between conditions. We identified 19 species of potential hosts for this generalist hemiparasite. Stochastic lambda with hosts λs = 1.02 (CI = 0.9999, 1.1) tended to be higher than without them λs = 0.9503 (CI = 0.9055, 0.9981). The highest elasticity values correspond to survival. LTRE indicated that the most important parameters are survival and fecundity; the total contribution of fecundity (0.0192) to the difference in growth was three times lower than that of survival (0.0603). Piqueria trinervia was the most abundant host, and C. tenuiflora had a higher lambda with it than with other species. Individuals can grow alone, but hosts can have a positive effect on the vital parameters of C. tenuiflora and on λ. Identified potential hosts can affect vital rates and finite population growth rates of the generalist facultative root hemiparasite Castilleja tenuiflora (Orobanchacea) growing in a lava field. Population growth rates tend to vary with and without hosts and between years, but not between hosts. Permanence in the last category (without aerial structures) and in the biggest size category have higher elasticities, while growth and fecundity explain the differences between both conditions. Individuals survive both with and without hosts but can perform better with them.
ISSN:1438-3896
1438-390X
DOI:10.1002/1438-390X.12076