Herbivory and anti-herbivore defences in wild and cultivated Cnidoscolus aconitifolius: disentangling domestication and environmental effects

Abstract Phenotypic changes in plants during domestication may disrupt plant–herbivore interactions. Because wild and cultivated plants have different habitats and some anti-herbivore defences exhibit some plasticity, their defences may be also influenced by the environment. Our goal was to assess t...

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Published in:AoB plants 2020-06, Vol.12 (3), p.plaa023
Main Authors: Solís-Montero, Virginia, Martínez-Natarén, Daniela A, Parra-Tabla, Víctor, Ibarra-Cerdeña, Carlos, Munguía-Rosas, Miguel A
Format: Article
Language:English
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Studies
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Summary:Abstract Phenotypic changes in plants during domestication may disrupt plant–herbivore interactions. Because wild and cultivated plants have different habitats and some anti-herbivore defences exhibit some plasticity, their defences may be also influenced by the environment. Our goal was to assess the effects of domestication and the environment on herbivory and some anti-herbivore defences in chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) in its centre of domestication. Herbivores, herbivory, and direct and indirect anti-herbivore defences were assessed in wild and cultivated plants. The same variables were measured in the field and in a common garden to assess environmental effects. Our results show that domestication increased herbivory and herbivore abundance, but reduced direct and some indirect defences (ants). The environment also affected the herbivore guild (herbivore abundance and richness) and some direct and indirect defences (trichome number and ants). There was also an interaction effect of domestication and the environment on the number of trichomes. We conclude that domestication and the environment influence herbivory and anti-herbivore defences in an additive and interactive manner in chaya. Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) is a crop species domesticated by the Maya in Mexico. In its domestication centre, chaya coexists with its wild relatives; however, domesticated chaya is grown in home gardens while wild chaya grows in nearby disturbed vegetation. Wild chaya is evidently thornier than cultivated, a trait that has been selected by growers over several years. In our study we found that domesticated plants are less defended and more attacked by herbivores and also that the environment prevailing in its habitat affects some of these defences.
ISSN:2041-2851
2041-2851
DOI:10.1093/aobpla/plaa023