Preference and performance in plant-herbivore interactions across latitude--a study in U.S. Atlantic salt marshes.

ABSTRACT: High-latitude plants are often more palatable to herbivores than low-latitude conspecifics. Does increased plant palatability lead to better herbivore performance? Our field and laboratory work investigated (A) whether high-latitude plants have traits indicating that they should be higher-quality foods for herbivores; (B) whether geographic differences in plant quality are more important than local adaptation of herbivores. We studied 3 plant species and 6 invertebrate herbivores in U.S. Atlantic Coast. Past studies had shown high-latitude individuals of these plants are more palatable than low-latitude conspecifics. We documented plant traits and herbivore performance (body size) in the field across latitude. We collected individuals from different latitudes for factorial (plant region x

SUBMITTER: Ho CK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3606276 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature