Diversity of foliicolous lichens and herbivory on five species of commonly planted dipterocarps in inikea rehabilitation forest project area
Growth and survival of Dipterocarps are often known to be dependent on sunlight intensity, nutrients, biofoulers, and herbivory. Investigation was carried out in INIKEA “Species Plot”, Luasong on five species of Dipterocarps; Dipterocarpus conformis (KBK), Dryobalanops keithii (KPG), Dryobalanops la...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
2020
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/41274/1/24%20PAGES.pdf https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/41274/2/FULLTEXT.pdf |
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| Summary: | Growth and survival of Dipterocarps are often known to be dependent on sunlight intensity, nutrients, biofoulers, and herbivory. Investigation was carried out in INIKEA “Species Plot”, Luasong on five species of Dipterocarps; Dipterocarpus conformis (KBK), Dryobalanops keithii (KPG), Dryobalanops lanceolata (KPJ), Shorea fallax (SDK) and Shorea ovalis (SKE) to better understand presence biofoulers and extent of herbivory on their leaves. Main objective of this investigation was to obtain information on the diversity of foliicolous lichen on Dipterocarp leaves.. In addition, leaf-loss due to herbivory was also investigated and correlated with leaf age and chemistry From 185 specimens, a total of 32 species of foliicolous lichens were identified from 9 families and 19 genera with 9 new records to Sabah, Badimia polillensis, Chroodiscus verrucosus, Calenia pseudographidea, Loflammia gabrielis, Phyllocratera papuana, Sporopodium leprieurii, Sporopodium antonianum, Trichothelium brasiliense and Tricharia santessonii. Species richness between all dipterocarps was higher in KBK with 18, while KPG recorded as the lowest with only 7 species. The PCoA shows that KBK and SKE have a more similar diversity as compared to the other 3 species. Total area loss due to herbivory was evaluated and quantified. Highest percentage of leaf loss can be seen on the young leaf and gradually decreased over the age of the leaf. In an effort to establish correlation between the inherently available chemicals and herbivory, total phenolic/total tannin contents was analysed to establish its pattern between the leaves studied. Data showed that the value of the tannins and phenolics were much higher in young leaves and lower in mature leaves. However, some insects were still able to graze on leaves with high phenolics/tannin content. Tannins can be the stimulants for feeding while the role of phenolics as defence mechanisms could have been over emphasized. The Volatile Organic Compounds in lichenized sample shows more detected chemical than in unlichenized sample. Most of the changes can be detected at the “fingerprint” region of the spectra implying the differences in the presence of minor compounds. Foliicolous lichen that lichenized the leaves can indirectly change the chemical fingerprint of the leaves by adding more functional groups due to the compounds produced by the lichens. |
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