The ecology of Solanum ptychanthum responses to Podisus maculiventris predators mediated by changes in behavior and densities of Manduca sexta.
Published: 2004
Language: eng
Number of pages: 75
Description: This thesis investigated how density- and trait-mediated interactions between predators and herbivores indirectly affect plant resistance. In Chapter 2, I investigated whether Manduca sexta larvae induced resistance in Solanum ptychanthum, whether Podisus maculiventris  altered resistance and affected plant quality for M. sexta  through density- and trait-mediated indirect effects and if these trait-mediated indirect interactions were behaviorally mediated. In addition, I assessed the relative contribution of density- and trait-mediated indirect interactions toward the net indirect effect of the predator. In Chapter 3, using the same study system, I examined how the relative strength of density- and trait-mediated indirect interactions can vary throughout herbivore ontogeny, as susceptibility to predation and antipredator behaviours change.
Notes: Adviser:  Jennifer S. Thaler.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Toronto, 2004.

Electronic version licensed for access by U. of T. users.

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 42-06, page: 2088.

MICR copy on microfiche (1 microfiche).