Journal
ARTHROPOD-PLANT INTERACTIONS
Volume 4, Issue 1, Pages 1-6Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s11829-009-9082-7
Keywords
Aposematism; Chemical defense; Extended phenotype; Plant manipulation; Warning coloration
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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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