Species-specific changes in tissue morphogenesis induced by two arthropod leaf gallers in Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae)

Abstract

When different cecidogenous species attack the same plant species, each one causes distinct plant tissue reorganisation, and forms typical gall structures. Two Lantana camara L. leaf galls induced by Aceria lantanae (Cook) (Acarina: Eriophyidae) and Schismatodiplosis lantanae (Rübsaamen) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) were collected in a subspontaneous population at Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A. lantanae crinckle galls were uni- or multi-chambered and contained several mites, caused by several leaf foldings, and consisted of hyperplasic epidermis and parenchyma. S. lantanae induced uni-chambered pouch galls inhabited by one larvae or pupa. This gall consisted predominantly of hypertrophied spongy parenchyma. Our results documented how these herbivores acted in cells with the same initial morphogenetic competence, altering leaf pattern, and inducing their specific extended phenotype.