Complex multitrophic species interactions and fitness costs: Intricate consequences of jasmonate and salicylate induced plant defenses

Induced plant defenses regulated by jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) initiate a cascade of effects, from defense expression to changes in arthropod community structure and species interactions, that can ultimately influence plant fitness. Yet the long-term consequences of these processes remain poorly understood, particularly in perennial tropical systems. We investigated how activation of JA and SA signaling pathways shapes arthropod community composition and plant reproductive success in Trichogoniopsis adenantha (Asteraceae), a glandular trichome-bearing shrub native to the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest. Using chemical elicitors, we induced JA and SA defenses for up to 16 months and monitored herbivore and predator assemblages, herbivory patterns, trichome expression, pyrrolizidine alkaloid concentrations, and plant short-term fecundity. JA-elicited plants exhibited higher pyrrolizidine alkaloid levels in flowers, reduced leaf herbivory, and lower seed damage by pre-dispers..., , # Data from: Complex multitrophic species interactions and fitness costs: Intricate consequences of jasmonate and salicylate induced plant defenses

## **Journal**: Journal of Animal Ecology

#### Authors

* Dr. Monica F. Kersch-Becker
* Guilherme P. Pinheiro
* Thaís S. Schweller
* Dr. Martin Pareja
* Dr. Victoria Marie Pocius
* Dr. José R. Trigo
* Dr. Gustavo Q. Romero

---

#### Contact Information

* Dr. Monica F. Kersch-Becker: [[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail])

#### File Description

**Main File:**\
This repository contains one Excel workbook:
`Plant_Defense_Community_Data_JAE.xlsx` (Microsoft Excel Workbook)
The workbook includes eight worksheets (tabs) corresponding to different components of the experiment. Each worksheet is described below.

#### Experimental Overview

This field experiment evaluated the effects of plant defense elicitation on plant growth, chemical defenses, arthropod community structure, herbivory, and reproduction.
Treatments
C – Untreated control
J – Jasm..., ,