@article {971,
	title = {Current trends in the evolutionary ecology of plant defence},
	journal = {Functional Ecology},
	volume = {25},
	year = {2011},
	note = {J
APR},
	month = {2011///},
	pages = {420 - 432},
	abstract = {P>1. In this essay I summarize current trends in the evolutionary ecology of plant defence, while advocating for approaches that integrate community ecology with specific tests of classic evolutionary hypotheses. Several conclusions emerge. 2. The microevolution of defence is perhaps best studied by reciprocal transplant experiments of differentiated plant populations while simultaneously manipulating the presence of the herbivore(s) hypothesized to be the agent(s) of natural selection. 3. Although there is continued interest in the costs of defence, I argue that some empirical approaches to estimating costs (e.g. genetic engineering) may provide limited insight into evolutionary processes. 4. Essentially all plants employ several different lines of defence against herbivory. It is thus time to abandon searching for single silver bullet traits and the simple trade-off model (where traits are arbitrarily expected to negatively covary across genotypes or species). We still know very little about which trait combinations are most effective and have repeatedly evolved together. Thus, some of our prominent theories (e.g. a predicted trade-off between direct and indirect defence) need to be revised. 5. Studies of the macroevolution of plant defence are enjoying renewed interest due to available phylogenies and analytical methods. Although general trends are not currently surmisable, we will soon have strong case studies evaluating both biotic and abiotic drivers of convergent evolution in defence strategies and the role of defence evolution in the adaptive radiation of plant lineages. 6. The evolution of specificity is proposed as a final frontier in understanding complexity in plant-herbivore interactions. Although it is abundantly clear that plants can deploy highly specific defensive responses that are differentially perceived by herbivore species, how such responses evolve and are physiologically regulated remains an important gap. Relatively straightforward methodologies are now available to close the loop between plant perception of herbivory, hormonal responses, and production of defensive end-products across genotype or species},
	keywords = {COMMUNITIES, COMMUNITY, community ecology, COMPLEXITY, ecology, EVOLUTION, HERBIVORE, herbivory, interactions, MODEL, phylogeny, plant, plant-herbivore interactions, PLANTS, POPULATIONS, RESPONSES, SPECIFICITY, theory},
	isbn = {0269-8463},
	url = {ISI:000288501100012},
	author = {Agrawal,A.A.}
}
@article {927,
	title = {Spatial Variation in the Strength of a Trophic Cascade Involving Ruellia nudiflora (Acanthaceae), an Insect Seed Predator and Associated Parasitoid Fauna in Mexico},
	journal = {Biotropica},
	volume = {42},
	year = {2010},
	note = {J
MAR},
	month = {2010///},
	pages = {180 - 187},
	abstract = {Spatial variation in the strength of herbivore top-down control represents an important source of variation in plant fitness measures and community structure and function. By measuring seed predator (larvae of a Noctuid moth) and parasitoid impacts on Ruellia nudiflora across a broad spatial scale in Yucatan (Mexico), this study addressed the following: (1) to what extent does seed predator and parasitoid attack intensity associated with R. nudiflora vary spatially? (2) Does parasitoid attack result in a positive indirect effect on the plant, and does the intensity of this effect vary spatially? During the peak of fruit production (late June-early July) of 2005, we collected fruits from 21 R. nudiflora populations and grouped them into four regions: center, east, north and south. For each fruit we recorded: observed seed number, number of seeds eaten, seed predator presence, parasitoid presence and number of seeds {\textquoteright}{\textquoteleft}saved{\textquoteright} by parasitoids. Seed predators attacked ca 30 percent of fruits/plant on average, while parasitoids were found in 24 percent of seed predator-attacked fruits. Results indicated spatial variation in seed predator and parasitoid attack levels; interestingly, a contrasting spatial gradient of attack intensity was observed: populations/regions with greatest parasitoid attack levels usually had the lowest seed predator attack levels and vice versa, suggesting top-down control of parasitoids on seed predators. We observed a weak overall indirect impact of parasitoids on R. nudiflora (4\% seeds {\textquoteright}saved{\textquoteright} on average), which nonetheless varied strongly across populations (e.g., close to 14\% seeds saved at one population). Findings indicate a geographical structuring of interaction strengths across populations, as well as spatial variation in the strength of parasitoid cascading effects on plant reproduction},
	keywords = {COMMUNITIES, COMMUNITY, community structure, GRADIENT, HERBIVORE, impact, insect, larvae, MOTH, Parasitoid, parasitoids, plant, POPULATIONS, PREDATOR, predators, SCALE, TOP-DOWN, trophic cascade},
	isbn = {0006-3606},
	url = {ISI:000275215700007},
	author = {Abdala-Roberts,L. and Parra-Tabla,V. and Salinas-Peba,L. and Diaz-Castelazo,C. and Delfin-Gonzalez,H.}
}
