Plant apparency shapes the distribution of herbivory within and among plant individuals: Data from the HerbVar Network

ROBINSON, MORIA L; ABBOTT KAREN; EMILIO BRUNA ; IVALÚ CACHO ; LEE DYER ; WILLIAM WETZEL; CAROLINA QUINTERO; ET AL.

Denver

Congreso; Entomological Society of America 2021; 2021

Patterns in the average strength of plant-herbivore interactions underly many key ecological patterns and theories - from the latitudinal gradient hypothesis, to concepts of plant apparency. However, a focus on mean interactions overlooks a key aspect of herbivory on plants: the distribution of herbivory itself, among plant individuals or among leaves within plants. Often viewed as statistical nuisance, this variability contains distinct and valuable information about the causes and consequences of herbivory on plants, and can lend a novel perspective to foundational ideas and patterns in ecology. Here, we use ideas from plant apparency theory to explore patterns in the mean and variability in herbivory from 730 plant populations around the globe. Surveys were conducted by members of the Herbivory Variability Network, a global collaboration with the goal of understanding entire distributions of herbivory on and among plants. By asking whether plant growth form; plant size; and local plant density shape patterns of variability and evenness in herbivory, we provide a novel perspective on the association between plant apparency and plant-herbivore interactions, and relate findings to outcomes for plant evolution, herbivore populations, and ecosystem processes.