Effects of suppression of plant defence by herbivores on arthropod communities

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26840141
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Ecology/Environment
• Research Institution: Chiba University
• Principal Investigator: Choh Yasuyuki 千葉大学, 大学院園芸学研究科, 助教 (90595571)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 動物ー植物間相互作用 / 誘導反応 / 花外蜜 / 間接防衛 / 捕食者ー被食者相互作用 / 群集 / オランダ / 国際情報交流

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Extrafloral nectar (EFN) secreted by broad bean plants functions as indirect defence against herbivores by attracting natural enemies of herbivores such as ants. In this research, I found that pea aphids reduce EFN secretion in broad bean plants, suggesting suppression of indirect plant defence. In the field, number of ants on plants with pea aphids were fewer than that on uninfested plants. Although more predators such as spiders were found on plants with pea aphids than on uninfested plants, there were no trend that a certain species of herbivores increased or decreased. From these results, I conclude that suppression of indirect plant defence affected arthropod communities but the effects might be limited.

Free Research Field

行動生態学