|
Abstract
Anoruo, F. and D. Lincoln. 2007. Myrica cerifera and Ilex
vomitoria defense against predation in mix species stand and monoculture.
JEMREST 3:222-228.
DOI: 10.4029/2007jemrest3no111
Prevention/reduction
of tissue damage of a palatable or less chemically defended species from
phytophagous predators by virtue of association with non-palatable or
chemically defended neighbors have been observed in some plant communities. Ilex
vomitori, (a non-odorous species) Iva frutescens, and Myrica
cerafera (both odorous species) inhabit the transition zone of
shrub/forest edge of salt marshes along the South Eastern coast of the United States.
This study investigated level of predation as measured by leaf damage amongst
a monoculture of either Ilex vomitori or Myrica cerifera, mix
species stand of I. vomitori neighbored by either M. cerifera
or M. cerifera and I.
frutescens. Similar mix species stand with M. cerifera neighbored
by either I. vomitori or I. vomitori and I.
frutescens were also established. All three species were transplanted
from Goat Island at the Belle Barauch Barony Hobcow in Georegtown, South Carolina
and grown under greenhouse house conditions. The species were enclosed in 4 x
4 wire mesh cages with two Schistocerca americana introduced as natural
predators in each cage. The S. americana
was removed after 36 hours and VistaMetrix® image analyzer was used to
measure total leaf area loss. Results indicate that leaf damage was
significantly higher in both monoculture stands of I.
vomitori and Myrica cerifera. However, predation was significantly
lower in the mix species stands. The lowest reduction in predation was
observed in the three species mix stand for both I.
vomitori and Myrica cerifera.
|
