Climatic Seasonality in the Caatinga Ecosystem Shapes the Plant–herbivore Interactions Dynamic

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Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate how climatic seasonality affects the defense mechanisms of plants and how this is reflected in the richness and abundance of different guilds of herbivorous insects, using the species Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa as a model. Herbivore collections were carried out over 12 months, during this same period the phenology and herbivory was monitored in 30 marked plants, in addition to the analysis of the herbivory index in the dry and rainy season, in addition to collection and analysis of soil nutrients. Phenology showed strong seasonality, showing pivot of leaves and fruits emission during the dry season, and the reproductive phases of emission of buds and flowers peaked in the rainy season. A total of 10,199 herbivores were registered, distributed in 6 orders, and in four guilds. The total abundance of herbivores was greater during the dry season and the richness was greater during the rainy season. As for herbivore guilds, the abundance of leaf chewers-crushers was higher during the dry season, while flower and bud chewers-crushers were more abundant in the rainy season, whereas the suckers showed greater wealth and abundance in the rainy season. The results show a strong influence of climatic seasonality on the phenological patterns of the plant species. However this influence is very conspicuous in Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests, therefore, there are several biotic and abiotic factors responsible for these results. Factors such as interspecific competition and the distribution of food resources at a certain time of the season, can act in conjunction with climatic factors to shape insect abundance patterns.
Funding Information
  • Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

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