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Published in Forest Ecology and Management, Vol. 242, Issues 2-3 (April 2007) at DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2007.01.035

Abstract

Discerning linkages among trophic levels and untangling indirect interactions is essential to understanding structuring of communities and ecosystems. Indeed, indirect interactions among disparate taxa are often essential to the functional role of these species. The goal of this research was to test the hypothesis that the relationship between 2 dendrophagous taxa, the North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) and the pine engraver beetle (Ips hoppingi), is an asymmetric indirect interaction mediated by a common host. We proposed that damage by the porcupine predisposes the papershell pinyon pine (Pinus remota) to colonization by pine engraver beetles. We examined porcupine tree selection, pinyon pine physiology and physiognomy, and beetle-pine associations on a study area in the southwestern Edwards Plateau of Texas from June 1997 to August 1999. Although attacks by beetles were evident on both damaged and undamaged trees, successful colonization was greater on pines damaged by porcupines. Intensity of porcupine attack, indexed by number of feeding scars and area of bark removed, also was associated with subsequent colonization by beetles. Porcupines selected pinyon pines over more abundant species (P < 0.001) and were selective at the level of morphology, whereas pine engraver beetles were selective of tree morphology and physiology. Trees colonized by beetles had phloem with higher concentrations of fructose and glucose and lower percent composition of limonene, sabinene, and terpinolene than uncolonized trees. Our findings supported our hypothesis of an indirect interaction between these dendrophages. We rejected alternative explanations (e.g., that these dendrophages preferred similar trees or that beetles facilitated porcupine damage) for this relationship based on the biology of Ips and their selection of host trees. We propose that release of volatile terpenes as a result of porcupine feeding and reallocation of carbon resources as a response to stress explains the facilitation of beetle colonization in porcupine-damaged trees. Our findings parallel those observed in other systems involving indirect effects and fit within the framework of theories explaining host plant-herbivore interactions.

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