Abstract Detail

Ecological Section

Morningstar, Dawn [1], Rice, Stanley A. [1], Kremer-Perez, Kristi [1].

Effects of light intensity o­n herbivore resistance in leaves of seaside alder (Alnus maritima) and hazel alder (Alnus serrulata).

Seaside alder (Alnus maritima) is a rare tree found o­nly in three small populations, o­ne of which is in Oklahoma (ssp. oklahomensis). In contrast, hazel alder (Alnus serrulata) is abundant throughout the eastern United States. We investigated the toxicity of the leaves of Oklahoma seaside alders and of hazel alders from an Oklahoma population, using brine shrimp (Artemia salina) bioassays. The leaves of each species represented a range of shading conditions as determined by densiometry. The leaves of hazel alder were significantly more toxic than those of seaside alder, and toxicity increased with increasing exposure to sunlight. There was no significant change in toxicity through the growing season in either species.

1 - Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Biological Sciences, Box 4027, Durant, Oklahoma, 74701-0609, USA

Keywords:
Alnus maritima
Alnus serrulata
bioassay
herbivory
Artemia salina.

Presentation Type: Paper
Session: 17-12
Location: Wasatch (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Monday, August 2nd, 2004
Time: 4:15 PM
Abstract ID:14