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Intensity of herbivory correlates with stronger constitutive and weaker induced defenses for non-native plant species -- another mechanism for EICA?
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  • Xiao Sun,
  • Yumei Sun,
  • Xueyao Cao,
  • Xincong Zhai,
  • Ray Callaway,
  • Jinlong Wan,
  • S. Luke Flory,
  • Wei Huang,
  • Jianqing Ding
Xiao Sun
Henan University
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Xueyao Cao
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Xincong Zhai
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Ray Callaway
University of Montana
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Jinlong Wan
Wuhan Botanical Garden Chinese Academy of Sciences
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S. Luke Flory
University of Florida
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Wei Huang
Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Jianqing Ding
Henan University
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Abstract

Non-native plants are typically released from specialist enemies in new ranges, but continue to be attacked by generalists, but whether they shift relative allocation to constitutive or induced defenses is unknown. We compared herbivory on co-occurring native and non-native species and also constitutive and induced defenses. Non-natives suffered less damage than natives and constitutive defenses of non-natives was lower than that of native congeners, whereas induced defense was the opposite. The strength of constitutive defenses for a species was correlated with the intensity of herbivory experienced, for non-natives, whereas induced defenses showed the reverse. The defenses of natives were not related to herbivory pressure. Finally, the strength of induced defenses correlated positively with growth, suggesting a novel mechanism for the evolution of increased competitive ability. These results expand our understanding of fundamental tradeoffs in constitutive and induced defenses and provide novel insight into how herbivory pressure affects defense allocation.
13 Dec 2022Submitted to Ecology Letters
02 Jan 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
02 Jan 2023Submission Checks Completed
02 Jan 2023Assigned to Editor
09 Jan 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
08 Feb 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Major
09 Apr 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
09 Apr 20231st Revision Received
21 Apr 2023Submission Checks Completed
21 Apr 2023Assigned to Editor
23 Apr 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
16 May 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
24 May 20232nd Revision Received
24 May 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
26 May 2023Submission Checks Completed
26 May 2023Assigned to Editor
29 May 2023Editorial Decision: Accept