Why do many galls have conspicuous colors? A new hypothesis

M. Inbar; I. Izhaki; A. Koplovich; I. Lupo; N. Silanikove; T. Glasser; Y. Gerchman; A. Perevolotsky; S. Lev-Yadun

doi:10.1007/s11829-009-9082-7

Why do many galls have conspicuous colors? A new hypothesis

M. Inbar, I. Izhaki, A. Koplovich, I. Lupo, N. Silanikove, T. Glasser, Y. Gerchman, A. Perevolotsky, S. Lev-Yadun

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Galls are abnormal plant growth induced by various parasitic organisms, mainly insects. They serve as "incubators" for the developing insects in which they gain nutrition and protection from both abiotic factors and natural enemies. Galls are typically armed with high levels of defensive secondary metabolites. Conspicuousness by color, size and shape is a common gall trait. Many galls are colorful (red, yellow etc.) and therefore can be clearly distinguished from the surrounding host plant organs. Here we outlined a new hypothesis, suggesting that chemically protected galls which are also conspicuous are aposematic. We discuss predictions, alternative hypotheses and experimental tests of this hypothesis.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1-6
Number of pages	6
Journal	Arthropod-Plant Interactions
Volume	4
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-009-9082-7
State	Published - Mar 2010

Keywords

Aposematism
Chemical defense
Extended phenotype
Plant manipulation
Warning coloration

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Ecology
Agronomy and Crop Science
Insect Science

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1007/s11829-009-9082-7

Cite this

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AU - Inbar, M.

AU - Izhaki, I.

AU - Koplovich, A.

AU - Lupo, I.

AU - Silanikove, N.

AU - Glasser, T.

AU - Gerchman, Y.

AU - Perevolotsky, A.

AU - Lev-Yadun, S.

PY - 2010/3

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N2 - Galls are abnormal plant growth induced by various parasitic organisms, mainly insects. They serve as "incubators" for the developing insects in which they gain nutrition and protection from both abiotic factors and natural enemies. Galls are typically armed with high levels of defensive secondary metabolites. Conspicuousness by color, size and shape is a common gall trait. Many galls are colorful (red, yellow etc.) and therefore can be clearly distinguished from the surrounding host plant organs. Here we outlined a new hypothesis, suggesting that chemically protected galls which are also conspicuous are aposematic. We discuss predictions, alternative hypotheses and experimental tests of this hypothesis.

AB - Galls are abnormal plant growth induced by various parasitic organisms, mainly insects. They serve as "incubators" for the developing insects in which they gain nutrition and protection from both abiotic factors and natural enemies. Galls are typically armed with high levels of defensive secondary metabolites. Conspicuousness by color, size and shape is a common gall trait. Many galls are colorful (red, yellow etc.) and therefore can be clearly distinguished from the surrounding host plant organs. Here we outlined a new hypothesis, suggesting that chemically protected galls which are also conspicuous are aposematic. We discuss predictions, alternative hypotheses and experimental tests of this hypothesis.

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KW - Chemical defense

KW - Extended phenotype

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Why do many galls have conspicuous colors? A new hypothesis

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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