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Native macrophyte leaves influence more specialisation of neotropical shredder chironomids than invasive macrophyte leaves

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Abstract

We investigated the composition and specialisation of shredder chironomids in an invasive white ginger lily (Hedychium coronarium) and in native pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) leaves. We assumed that the difference of the chemical compound in macrophyte leaves would influence the shredder specialisation. A colonisation experiment was performed over 3 years (2013–2015) using 40 bags for each macrophyte species. The main macrophyte leaf chemical compounds (organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, cellulose, lignin, soluble polyphenols and soluble carbohydrates) were measured. The herbivore specialisation was estimated using the individual specialisation index (d′) and community specialisation index (H2′). White ginger lily had higher nitrogen and organic matter, resulting in a higher abundance of shredder specimens and lower specialisation than in native leaves. The Polypedilum fallax group, Stenochironomus and Endotribelos calophylli presented high individual specialisation (d′) in pickerelweed leaves, resulting in high community specialisation (H2′). The heterotrophic facilitation hypothesis explained the herbivores thriving in pickerelweed leaves due to their lower nutritional value. The intake-efficiency hypothesis explained the higher consumption of invasive plant tissue by Stenochironomus, due to its mining habit. We found evidence of evolutionary adaptation of freshwater herbivore eating habits.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Brazilian National Council for Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq) for the financial support throughout the research project process 141020/2013. Susana Trivinho-Strixino has a productivity grant awarded by CNPq (Process Number: 306402/2010-6). We would also like to thank Rebecca Clement from Brigham Young University who provided the first English language reviews.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil

    Hugo Henrique Lanzi Saulino

  2. Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos aquáticos, Departamento de Hidrobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil

    Susana Trivinho-Strixino

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  1. Hugo Henrique Lanzi Saulino
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Saulino, HHL and Trivinho-Strixino, S designed the experiments and wrote the manuscript. Saulino, HHL performed the experiments and analysed the dates.

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Correspondence to Hugo Henrique Lanzi Saulino.

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Handling editor: María del Mar Sánchez-Montoya

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Saulino, H.H.L., Trivinho-Strixino, S. Native macrophyte leaves influence more specialisation of neotropical shredder chironomids than invasive macrophyte leaves. Hydrobiologia 813, 189–198 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-018-3525-z

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