Polymorphic buttonwood: effects of disturbance on resistance to herbivores in green and silver morphs of a Bahamian shrub

We studied consequences of storm damage on buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus) shrubs and their herbivores in the Bahamian islands. Buttonwood is polymorphic, with green shrubs producing few leaf trichomes and silver shrubs covered in dense trichomes. We first characterize traits of green vs. silver shrubs relevant for herbivores, and then assay damage by two prominent insects. Next, on replicated islands, we experimentally address how different types of storm damage (simulated hurricane surge damage vs. simulated intense wind) affected phenotypic traits of both buttonwood morphs and subsequent herbivory over a one-year sampling period. Our results show that although leaves produced by green shrubs are 21% tougher than leaves produced by silver shrubs, green leaves have 16% higher nitrogen concentrations and greater levels of herbivory. Consistent with previous observational studies of a natural hurricane at our study site, we found stronger effects of simulated surge damage than simulated wind damage. Experimental pruning of shrubs resulted in reduced toughness, higher nitrogen concentration, fewer trichomes, and greater herbivory compared to controls and compared to shrubs with their leaves stripped. The results were stronger for the silver compared to the green morph. Morph differences in buttonwood have strong consequences for herbivores, and these effects are modified by disturbance.