NOTES ON THE BREEDING BIOLOGY OF THE TUMBESIAN AVIFAUNA IN SOUTHWEST ECUADOR AND NORTHWEST PERU

This paper contributes to the growing body of literature on the reproductive biology of South American birds by providing 823 records of reproduction for 197 species breeding within the Tumbesian biome of Peru and Ecuador. Where applicable, we include notes on adult behaviour, nest architecture, eggs, nestlings, and fledglings. In general, our observations support previous reports of the seasonal nature of avian reproduction in the region.Este artículo contribuye a la creciente cantidad de literatura sobre la biología reproductiva de las aves de Sudamérica. Provee 823 registros sobre la reproducción de 197 especies al interior de la región Tumbesina de Perú y Ecuador. En los casos posibles, incluimos notas sobre el comportamiento de los adultos, arquitectura del nido, huevos, pichones, polluelos y volantones. En general, nuestras observaciones apoyan los reportes previos sobre la naturaleza estacional de la reproducción de las aves de esta región

Intraspecific phytochemical variation shapes community and population structure for specialist caterpillars

Chemically mediated plant-herbivore interactions contribute to the diversity of terrestrial communities and the diversification of plants and insects. While our understanding of the processes affecting community structure and evolutionary diversification has grown, few studies have investigated how trait variation shapes genetic and species diversity simultaneously in a tropical ecosystem. We investigated secondary metabolite variation among subpopulations of a single plant species, Piper kelleyi (Piperaceae), using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), to understand associations between plant phytochemistry and host-specialized caterpillars in the genus Eois (Geometridae: Larentiinae) and associated parasitoid wasps and flies. In addition, we used a genotyping-by-sequencing approach to examine the genetic structure of one abundant caterpillar species, Eois encina, in relation to host phytochemical variation. We found substantive concentration differences among three major secondary metabolites, and these differences in chemistry predicted caterpillar and parasitoid community structure among host plant populations. Furthermore, E.encina populations located at high elevations were genetically different from other populations. They fed on plants containing high concentrations of prenylated benzoic acid. Thus, phytochemistry potentially shapes caterpillar and wasp community composition and geographic variation in species interactions, both of which can contribute to diversification of plants and insects

Data from: Intraspecific phytochemical variation shapes community and population structure for specialist caterpillars

Chemically mediated plant–herbivore interactions contribute to the diversity of terrestrial communities and the diversification of plants and insects. While our understanding of the processes affecting community structure and evolutionary diversification has grown, few studies have investigated how trait variation shapes genetic and species diversity simultaneously in a tropical ecosystem. We investigated secondary metabolite variation among subpopulations of a single plant species, Piper kelleyi (Piperaceae), using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), to understand associations between plant phytochemistry and host-specialized caterpillars in the genus Eois (Geometridae: Larentiinae) and associated parasitoid wasps and flies. In addition, we used a genotyping-by-sequencing approach to examine the genetic structure of one abundant caterpillar species, Eois encina, in relation to host phytochemical variation. We found substantive concentration differences among three major secondary metabolites, and these differences in chemistry predicted caterpillar and parasitoid community structure among host plant populations. Furthermore, E. encina populations located at high elevations were genetically different from other populations. They fed on plants containing high concentrations of prenylated benzoic acid. Thus, phytochemistry potentially shapes caterpillar and wasp community composition and geographic variation in species interactions, both of which can contribute to diversification of plants and insects

eois_glassmire_gprobs

This file contains the genotypes at 20,458 SNPs in 155 Eois encina Dognin individuals