COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL DEFENSES IN Aspidospema australe MÜELL. ARG. AND Aspidosperma cylindrocarpon MÜELL. ARG. (APOCYNACEAE) AGAINST HERBIVORY)

ABSTRACT

Aspidosperma australe and Aspidosperma cylindrocarpon are widely used in the arborization of Pampulha Campus of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Gall insects are very common only in young and adult specimens of A. australe. The anatomical and histochemical studies, as well as the chromatografic profiles of the leaves of A. australe and A. cylindrocarpon, meant to analyse the morphological and chemical characteristics that could constitute defense strategies and should affect the acceptability and/or resistance of these species to the attack of a gall inducing insect (Pseudophacopteron sp.). A. australe and A. cylindrocarpon are anatomically distinct species, with relevant characteristics observed on epidermis and mesophyll. Chemical differences in the production of phenolics in both species suggest that A. cylindrocarpon presented defense strategies to the gall insect as well as to some other possible herbivores. On the other hand, A. australe presented morphological and chemical characteristics that could imply in its greater susceptibility to the attack of Pseudophacopteron sp. and to all the other members of the guild involved in its gall food web.

Keywords
Aspidosperma; leaf anatomy; histochemistry; plant phenolics; flavonoids; chromatografic profiles; herbivory