Population and leaf-level variation of iridoid glycosides in the invasive weed Verbascum thapsus L. (common mullein): Implications for herbivory by generalist insects

0399468 - BÚ 2014 RIV CH eng J - Journal Article
Alba, Christina - Prioreschi, R. - Quintero, C.
Population and leaf-level variation of iridoid glycosides in the invasive weed Verbascum thapsus L. (common mullein): Implications for herbivory by generalist insects.
Chemoecology. Roč. 23, č. 2 (2013), s. 83-92. ISSN 0937-7409. E-ISSN 1423-0445
Institutional support: RVO:67985939
Keywords : plant-insect interactions * plant invasion * chemicals
Subject RIV: EF - Botanics
Impact factor: 1.963, year: 2013

Plant-insect interactions, which are strongly mediated by chemical defenses, have the potential to shape invasion dynamics. Despite this, few studies have quantified natural variation in key defensive compounds of invasive plant populations, or how those defenses relate to levels of herbivory. We evaluated variation in the iridoid glycosides aucubin and catalpol in rosette plants of naturally occurring, introduced populations of the North American invader, Verbascum thapsus L. (common mullein-Scrophulariaceae). We additionally estimated damage due to insect chewing herbivores, and evaluated the relationship between iridoid glycoside content and leaf damage. We found significant variation in iridoid glycoside concentrations among populations and between young and old leaves, with levels of herbivory strongly tracking leaf-level investment in defense. Specifically, across populations, young leaves were highly defended by iridoids and suffered only minimal damage from generalist herbivors.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0226785