Solar ultraviolet-B radiation can affect slug feeding preference for some plant species native to a fen ecosystem in Tierra del Fuego,Argentina |
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Authors: | Zaller Johann G Searles Peter S Cecilia Rousseaux M Flint Stephan D Caldwell Martyn M Sala Osvaldo Ballaré Carlos L Scopel Ana L |
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Institution: | (1) The Ecology Center, Utah State University, 5205 Old Main Hill, Logan, 84322–5205, USA;(2) IFEVA-CONICET, Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Avenida San Martín 4453, Buenos Aires, 1417, Argentina;(3) Present address: Institute of Organic Agriculture, University of Bonn, Katzenburgweg 3, Bonn, D-53115, Germany;(4) Present address: Department of Vegetable Crops, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, 95616–8746, USA |
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Abstract: | The objectives of this study were to test potential effects of solar ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on (i) foliage nutritional
quality and foliage decomposition rates of six plant species of this fen ecosystem (Nothofagus antarctica, Carex curta, C. decidua and C. magellanica; Acaena magellanica and Gunnera magellanica) and (ii) feeding preferences for these plant species of the slug Deroceras reticulatum prevalent in this ecosystem. In a mixed-diet selection slugs were offered leaves of the six species that had been grown for
three years in experimental field plots under either near-ambient or reduced solar ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation. The chosen
characteristics of leaf quality (nitrogen concentration, carbon:nitrogen ratio, specific leaf area) and leaf decomposition
rates of the six species varied significantly among species but were not affected by the UV-B treatments. However, there were
UV-B treatment effects on slug feeding preference for two plant species. For the tree species, Nothofagus, slugs had consumed only one-third as much foliage grown under near-ambient UV-B radiation as of foliage grown under reduced
UV-B by the end of the feeding experiment. In contrast, leaves of the sedge C. decidua that had been grown under near-ambient UV-B were consumed twice as much as leaves grown under reduced UV-B radiation. Consumption
of foliage for the other four species was similar for the two UV-B treatments. Additionally, diet selection of the slugs was
also significantly affected by prior UV-B conditions under which foliage had been grown. Nothofagus leaves were consumed proportionately less and C. decidua proportionately more if the foliage had been grown under near-ambient UV-B radiation.
This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | Climate change Global change Herbivory Ozone depletion Plant-animal interactions UV radiation |
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