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Naturwissenschaften

Title:		Behavioral and life-history evidence for interspecific competition in the larvae of two heliconian butterflies
Author(s):		Millan C; Borges SS; Rodrigues D; Moreira GR;
Address:		"PPG Ecologia, Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biociencias, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Goncalves 9500, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 91501-970, Brazil, lepidoptera.azul@gmail.com"
Journal Title:		Naturwissenschaften
Year:		2013
Volume:		20130816
Issue:		10
Page Number:		901 - 911
DOI:		10.1007/s00114-013-1089-3
ISSN/ISBN:		1432-1904 (Electronic) 0028-1042 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Interspecific competition in herbivorous insects remains a controversial issue. To date, many studied systems have not met assumptions of the traditional competition theory, and a new paradigm has been emerging. We examined the behavioral and life-history consequences of common host plant use of Heliconius erato and Dryas iulia (Nymphalidae) in relation to Passiflora suberosa (Passifloraceae). Larvae of the former use the apical portion of this host; the latter is presumably able to explore all plant parts. We assessed host use pattern in relation to leaf age, when reared either alone (D. iulia) or together (D. iulia and H. erato). Larval feeding choice tests with respect to leaf age were performed, and performance was recorded. Observations were made to assess antagonistic behavior of H. erato and D. iulia towards each other, if any. Similarly to H. erato, D. iulia fed on the young leaves significantly more than the mature ones; larvae were not induced to prefer mature leaves. First instars of H. erato used only the apical parts of P. suberosa and displayed aggressive behavior towards D. iulia, which moved to the lower shoot portions. Larval mortality and development time of both species significantly increased when reared together; such performance costs were more pronounced in D. iulia than H. erato. Our study gathers evidences that use of P. suberosa by these heliconian butterflies represent a case of competitive exclusion resulting in niche differentiation, where costs are higher for D. iulia than H. erato"
Keywords:		Animals Butterflies/*physiology Competitive Behavior/*physiology Feeding Behavior Larva Passifloraceae/*physiology Plant Leaves Plant Shoots;
Notes:		"MedlineMillan, Carolina Borges, Simone Silva Rodrigues, Daniela Moreira, Gilson Rudinei Pires eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Germany 2013/08/21 Naturwissenschaften. 2013 Oct; 100(10):901-11. doi: 10.1007/s00114-013-1089-3. Epub 2013 Aug 16"