Aspectos fenológicos e fisiológicos da formação de galhas foliares estrelares em Myrciaria floribunda (MYRTACEAE) no Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.6662412048

• Palavras-chave: Myrciaria floribunda, restinga, biologia de galhas, fenologia, interação inseto-planta

• Keywords: Myrciaria floribunda, restinga, gall biology, phenology, insect-plant

• Abstract: Myrciaria floribunda (H.West ex Willd.) O. Berg (MYRTACEAE) is a shrub or small tree that can reach around 2.50m in height in restinga ecosystems and has a wide geographic distribution. This species is considered a superhost species since seven gall morphotypes have been identified, five of which are located on the leaf. Among the leaf morphotypes, the star morphotype stands out due to the presence of numerous leaf expansions, making its morphology unique. The sampling area of the present study is located within the Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park (Quissamã, RJ). For phenological monitoring, fifteen individuals were marked and observed monthly. Leaf samples with and without galls from three other individuals were collected for morphometric and physiological analyses. It was observed that the induction of new galls occurs concomitantly with the emission of leaves, demonstrating phenological synchrony between the host species and the inducer. Senescent galls were abundant in autumn and winter, coinciding with the leaf abscission period. The infestation rate was lowest in spring and increased during the rainy season. Star galls were observed distributed on both sides of the leaf blade, with up to thirty galls visible on the surface of a single leaf. The presence of galls favored the potential quantum efficiency in leaves exposed to the sun but did not change the thermal tolerance of photosystem II. The present study highlighted the synchrony of the action of gallers with the phenology of the host species and protective physiological changes in the galled leaves of M. floribunda.