Weinberger, Florian , Hammann, Mareike, Pohnert, G., Wang, G. G. and Boo, S. M. (2013) Successful invaders are better defended: The example of Gracilaria vermiculophylla. Phycologia, 52 (4, Supplement). p. 119.

Preview

Text (Abstract volume) 0031-8884-52.sp4.1.pdf - Published Version Download (9MB) | Preview

Abstract

To evaluate the importance of anti-herbivore resistance for algal invasion success we compared resistance traits among specimens of the red macroalga Gracilaria vermiculophylla from six native populations in Korea and China and eight invasive populations in Europe and Mexico that were maintained under identical conditions in the laboratory. Herbivorous snails both from the native range (Littorina brevicula) and from the invaded range (Littorina littorea) consumed significantly less of seaweed specimens originating from non-native populations. Metabolome profiling revealed that this preference was correlated with an increased woundactivated production of deterring prostaglandins and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids. Thus, invasive
populations of G. vermiculophylla are more strongly defended against challenge by herbivores and other biological enemies that cause local tissue or cell disruption and activate oxylipin production.
Anthropogenic distribution of genotypes adapted to resist elevated feeding pressure probably contributed to the invasion success of this species.

Actions (login required)

View Item