Differences in Anti-Herbivore Defenses in Non-Myrmecophyte and Myrmecophyte Cecropia Trees

摘要

Little is known about antiherbivore defenses in non-myrmecophyte Cecropia trees. We compare two non-myrmecophyte CecropiaCecropia sciadophylla and Cecropia tacunawith Cecropia membranacea, a myrmecophyte. High levels of chemical defenses in young leaves and physical toughness of mature leaves compensate for the absence of mutualistic ants in C.sciadophylla. Some C.tacuna trees produce trichilia and Mullerian bodies suggesting it has lost a mutualism with ants.