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Oecologia

Title:		Treeline proximity alters an alpine plant-herbivore interaction
Author(s):		Illerbrun K; Roland J;
Address:		"Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. kurt.illerbrun@gmail.com"
Journal Title:		Oecologia
Year:		2011
Volume:		20101224
Issue:		1
Page Number:		151 - 159
DOI:		10.1007/s00442-010-1822-y
ISSN/ISBN:		1432-1939 (Electronic) 0029-8549 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Rising treeline threatens the size and contiguity of alpine meadows worldwide. As trees encroach into previously open habitat, the movement and population dynamics of above-treeline alpine species may be disrupted. This process is well documented in studies of the Rocky Mountain apollo butterfly (Parnassius smintheus). However, subtler consequences of treeline rise remain poorly understood. In this study, we examine whether treeline proximity affects feeding behaviour of P. smintheus larvae, due to altered habitat affecting the distribution and availability of their host plant, lance-leaved stonecrop (Sedum lanceolatum). Understanding differential larval exploitation of food resources in relation to the treeline is an important step in predicting the consequences of continued treeline rise. Parnassius smintheus larvae feed more intensively on S. lanceolatum away from the treeline despite the relative paucity of hosts in these areas, and despite higher fitness penalties associated with the plant's herbivory-induced chemical defenses. Sedum lanceolatum growing near the treeline is less attractive, and therefore represents a less significant resource for P. smintheus larvae than its abundance might imply. If treeline rise continues, we suggest that this pattern of altered resource exploitation may represent a mechanism by which larvae are adversely affected even while adult movement among and within meadows appears sufficient for maintaining population health, and total host availability seems ample"
Keywords:		Alberta Altitude Animals *Butterflies Climate Change *Ecosystem *Feeding Behavior Female Larva Male Sedum/*parasitology *Trees;
Notes:		"MedlineIllerbrun, Kurt Roland, Jens eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Germany 2010/12/25 Oecologia. 2011 May; 166(1):151-9. doi: 10.1007/s00442-010-1822-y. Epub 2010 Dec 24"