Shifts in leaf herbivory stress and defense strategies of endangered tree species after 20–35 years of ex-situ conservation.

Ex-situ conservation, the transplanting of individuals outside of their natural range, candramatically alter biotic interactions among species. Here, we explored the shifts in theherbivory pressure and defense strategies of ex-situ populations of five endangered treespecies (Pterostyrax psilophyllus, Davidia involucrata, Dipteronia sinensis, Tapiscia sinensis,and Tetracentron sinense) after 20e35 years since translocation. All species were not nativeto the ex-situ site and only P. psilophyllus had a closely related native species (Pterostyraxcorymbosus). We compared the leaf damage type, herbivory rate, and chemistry (totalphenols, tannins, N, and P) of each species, and assessed the relationship between theherbivory rate and leaf chemistry between the ex-situ and wild populations.