Publicação on-line; Bibliography p. 9-11 (52 ref.); 1 table; 5 illus.; Summary (En)

ABSTRACT

The present study evaluated the relationship between herbivory and leaf quality of three abundant
tree species (Cupania oblongifolia Mart., Siparuna guianensis Aubl. and Xylopia sericea St. Hill.)
in the understory of a eucalyptus plantation and an adjacent Atlantic Rainforest fragment.
Herbivory differed among species, since X. sericea was less attacked, while C. oblongifolia and
S. guianensis were more. The species showed similar herbivory patterns between the investigated
areas (eucalyptus plantation versus forest), although X. sericea showed higher herbivory rates in
the forest fragment. Fiber values (NDF, CEL and LIG) varied significantly among the species, being
lower in S. guianensis. X. sericea, the species with the highest C/N ratio, higher concentrations
of total phenols, smaller leaf area and higher trichome density, showed the lowest leaf herbivory
rates, corroborating the hypothesis that herbivory is lower in species with lower nutritional
quality and a greater set of leaf defense features.

Keywords: defenses, insect-plant interactions, leaf nutrients.