Leaf trichomes in Metrosideros polymorpha can contribute to avoiding extra water stress by impeding gall formation.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Plants inhabiting arid environments tend to have leaf trichomes, but their adaptive significance remains unclear. Leaf trichomes are known to play a role in plant defence against herbivores, including gall makers. Because gall formation can increase water loss partly through increased surface area, we tested the novel hypothesis that leaf trichomes could contribute to avoiding extra water stress by impeding gall formation, which would have adaptive advantages in arid environments.

Methods

We focused on Metrosideros polymorpha, an endemic tree species in the Hawaiian Islands, whose leaves often suffer from galls formed by specialist insects, Hawaiian psyllids (Pariaconus spp.). There is large variation in the amount of leaf trichomes (0-40 % of leaf mass)

SUBMITTER: Amada G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7061171 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature