An ecological study of the relationship between two living fossils in Malawi: the Mulanje Tiger Moth ( Callioratis grandis ) and the Mulanje Cycad ( Encephalartos gratus )
2009; Wiley; Volume: 48; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1111/j.1365-2028.2009.01135.x
ISSN1365-2028
AutoresJulian Bayliss, Camilla Burrow, Sara Martell, Hermann S. Staude,
Tópico(s)Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
ResumoAbstract The Mulanje tiger moth ( Callioratis grandis ) has recently been discovered feeding solely on the Mulanje Cycad, Encephalartos gratus . In its type locality Encephalartos gratus is severely threatened through habitat destruction and human population growth. As a result the first detailed demographic survey of Encephalartos gratus on Mount Mulanje was undertaken with particular emphasis on the relationship between E. gratus and Callioratis grandis . What is unusual about C. grandis is that the males exhibit lekking behaviour, for which aposematism may be a prerequisite. Cycads were surveyed in a systematic manner. Both the biotic and abiotic parameters were recorded from 532 wild Encephalartos gratus . Results showed the morphological range of measurements differed from that of previously published literature on this species. Results also showed that the incidence of Callioratis larval damage was related to the maturity of the wild cycads – moth damage was greater on more mature plants. Approximately 50% of surveyed cycads showed evidence of Callioratis moth damage, however, there was no apparent preference from the moth to select either male or female cycads as food plants for the larvae. In some cases there was severe damage to cycad fronds, but this did not seem to affect the production of reproductive cones or even the survival of individual cycads.
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