Abstract

ROCHA, Mariana; RODRIGUES LANCELLOTTI, Isabella  and  GUERRA SANTOS, Marcelo. Cyanogenesis prospection in galled and non-galled tissues of Microgramma squamulosa (Polypodiaceae). Lilloa [online]. 2020, vol.57, n.2, pp.156-163. ISSN 0075-9481.  http://dx.doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30550/j.lil/2020.57.2/6.

Cyanogenic glycosides are defense substances that can produce hydrocyanic acid when they undergo hydrolysis as a result of herbivory, a process called cyanogenesis. Galls are neoformed structures of plant tissues induced by species-specific interactions between an inducer organism and a host plant. Earlier studies in Microgramma species have demonstrated cyanogenic polymorphism. Microgramma squamulosa is an epiphytic fern that may contain stem galls induced by Tortrimosaica polypodivora (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Thus, the objective of present study was to conduct a cyanogenesis prospection in the tissues of the stem, leaves and galls of Microgramma squamulosa. The study was conducted in populations located in the Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Cyanogenesis was assessed using the Feigl-Anger paper test. A total of 260 galled and non-galled tissues were analyzed, 45 gall samples, 67 sterile leaves, 43 fertile leaves, 103 stems and 2 croziers. Cyanogenesis was detected in only three sterile leaf samples (4.5%). In none of the samples were the stems or galls cyanogenic. Cyanogenesis frequency did not differ significantly between sterile leaves, fertile leaves, stems, galls and croziers.

Keywords : Chemical ecology; insect-fern interaction; gall; fern; cyanogenic glycosides.

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