Compound specific trends of chemical defence in Ficus along an elavational gradient reflect a complex selective landscape

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60077344%3A_____%2F20%3A00524008" target="_blank" >RIV/60077344:_____/20:00524008 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10886-020-01173-7" target="_blank" >https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10886-020-01173-7</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10886-020-01173-7" target="_blank" >10.1007/s10886-020-01173-7</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Compound specific trends of chemical defence in Ficus along an elavational gradient reflect a complex selective landscape

Original language description

Elevational gradients affect the production of plant secondary metabolites through changes in both biotic and abiotic conditions. Previous studies have suggested both elevational increases and decreases in host-plant chemical defences. We analysed the correlation of alkaloids and polyphenols with elevation in a community of nine Ficus species along a continuously forested elevational gradient in Papua New Guinea. We sampled 204 insect species feeding on the leaves of these hosts and correlated their community structure to the focal compounds. Additionally, we explored species richness of folivorous mammals along the gradient. When we accounted for Ficus species identity, we found a general elevational increase in flavonoids and alkaloids. Elevational trends in non-flavonol polyphenols were less pronounced or showed non-linear correlations with elevation. Polyphenols responded more strongly to changes in temperature and humidity than alkaloids. The abundance of insect herbivores decreased with elevation, while the species richness of folivorous mammals showed an elevational increase. Insect community structure was affected mainly by alkaloid concentration and diversity. Although our results show an elevational increase in several groups of metabolites, the drivers behind these trends likely differ. Flavonoids may provide figs with protection against abiotic stressors. In contrast, alkaloids affect insect herbivores and may provide protection against mammalian herbivores and pathogens. Concurrent analysis of multiple compound groups alongside ecological data is an important approach for understanding the selective landscape that shapes plant defences.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10611 - Plant sciences, botany

Project

Result was created during the realization of more than one project. More information in the Projects tab.

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2020

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Journal of Chemical Ecology

ISSN

0098-0331

e-ISSN

—

Volume of the periodical

46

Issue of the periodical within the volume

4

Country of publishing house

NL - THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS

Number of pages

13

Pages from-to

442-454

UT code for WoS article

000527507700001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85084086776