Ecological aspects on induced defenses in macroalgae by mesoherbivore attacks

Abstract

This dissertation highlights the ability of macroalgae to protect themselves by inducing their palatability changes in the face of consumer attacks. In particular, I examined how macroalgae change their chemical traits in response to herbivore properties classified by herbivore specificity, temporal variation of the herbivores, and feeding cues. Further, I tested macroalgae can predict the herbivory and induce defenses by the cues from an attacked conspecific and a heterospecific species. Finally, I investigated the effective magnitude of the induced responses using non-native macroalgae as well as species-specificity of herbivores. These approaches support that herbivore-induced defenses are not accidental reactions but adaptive options of plants through coevolved history with specific herbivores.