Growth Allocation Shifts in the Invasive <i>Hydrilla verticillata</i> Under Interspecific Competition with Native Submerged Macrophytes
Communities with high native species diversity tend to be less susceptible to the establishment of invasive species, especially in studies that test their local impact. This study investigated the impact of competition between native submerged aquatic macrophytes (SAMs) (<i>Egeria najas</i&...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| author | Letícia da Costa Luíz Alberto Vieira Thaísa Sala Michelan Alvaro Herrera Vale Wagner Antonio Chiba de Castro |
| author_facet | Letícia da Costa Luíz Alberto Vieira Thaísa Sala Michelan Alvaro Herrera Vale Wagner Antonio Chiba de Castro |
| author_sort | Letícia da Costa |
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| description | Communities with high native species diversity tend to be less susceptible to the establishment of invasive species, especially in studies that test their local impact. This study investigated the impact of competition between native submerged aquatic macrophytes (SAMs) (<i>Egeria najas</i> and <i>Egeria densa</i>) and the exotic <i>Hydrilla verticillata</i>, recognized for its invasive potential in aquatic ecosystems, through a mesocosm experiment conducted over six months. Two treatments were evaluated: the intraspecific competition of <i>H. verticillata</i> and an interspecific competition involving all three species. The plants were cultivated under controlled conditions, with the foliar and subterranean biomass being monitored to analyze resource allocation patterns. The results showed that, under interspecific competition, the mean foliar biomass of <i>H. verticillata</i> was significantly higher compared to the intraspecific treatment, while the subterranean biomass was reduced in the presence of native species. We conclude that native species alter the biomass allocation pattern of the invader, favoring foliar structures over subterranean ones. Among the mechanisms of invasiveness, differential resource allocation represents an important strategy for the adaptation and competitiveness of invasive species influenced by environmental factors and resource competition. These findings contribute to the understanding of competitive interactions in aquatic ecosystems and have implications for the management and control of invasive species, highlighting the importance of promoting native diversity to mitigate invasibility. Future studies should investigate the impacts of reduced subterranean structures on the persistence and spread of submerged invasive species. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ef25d6fdd891467eb2b77db8ef1139f5 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-ef25d6fdd891467eb2b77db8ef1139f52025-08-20T02:57:21ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472024-12-011324350010.3390/plants13243500Growth Allocation Shifts in the Invasive <i>Hydrilla verticillata</i> Under Interspecific Competition with Native Submerged MacrophytesLetícia da Costa0Luíz Alberto Vieira1Thaísa Sala Michelan2Alvaro Herrera Vale3Wagner Antonio Chiba de Castro4Neotropical Biodiversity Graduate Program, Federal University of Latin American Integration, Foz do Iguaçu 85866-000, PR, BrazilNeotropical Biodiversity Graduate Program, Federal University of Latin American Integration, Foz do Iguaçu 85866-000, PR, BrazilInstitute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, BrazilNeotropical Biodiversity Graduate Program, Federal University of Latin American Integration, Foz do Iguaçu 85866-000, PR, BrazilNeotropical Biodiversity Graduate Program, Federal University of Latin American Integration, Foz do Iguaçu 85866-000, PR, BrazilCommunities with high native species diversity tend to be less susceptible to the establishment of invasive species, especially in studies that test their local impact. This study investigated the impact of competition between native submerged aquatic macrophytes (SAMs) (<i>Egeria najas</i> and <i>Egeria densa</i>) and the exotic <i>Hydrilla verticillata</i>, recognized for its invasive potential in aquatic ecosystems, through a mesocosm experiment conducted over six months. Two treatments were evaluated: the intraspecific competition of <i>H. verticillata</i> and an interspecific competition involving all three species. The plants were cultivated under controlled conditions, with the foliar and subterranean biomass being monitored to analyze resource allocation patterns. The results showed that, under interspecific competition, the mean foliar biomass of <i>H. verticillata</i> was significantly higher compared to the intraspecific treatment, while the subterranean biomass was reduced in the presence of native species. We conclude that native species alter the biomass allocation pattern of the invader, favoring foliar structures over subterranean ones. Among the mechanisms of invasiveness, differential resource allocation represents an important strategy for the adaptation and competitiveness of invasive species influenced by environmental factors and resource competition. These findings contribute to the understanding of competitive interactions in aquatic ecosystems and have implications for the management and control of invasive species, highlighting the importance of promoting native diversity to mitigate invasibility. Future studies should investigate the impacts of reduced subterranean structures on the persistence and spread of submerged invasive species.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/24/3500submerged macrophytesinvasive exoticsnatives as barrierscompetition |
| spellingShingle | Letícia da Costa Luíz Alberto Vieira Thaísa Sala Michelan Alvaro Herrera Vale Wagner Antonio Chiba de Castro Growth Allocation Shifts in the Invasive <i>Hydrilla verticillata</i> Under Interspecific Competition with Native Submerged Macrophytes Plants submerged macrophytes invasive exotics natives as barriers competition |
| title | Growth Allocation Shifts in the Invasive <i>Hydrilla verticillata</i> Under Interspecific Competition with Native Submerged Macrophytes |
| title_full | Growth Allocation Shifts in the Invasive <i>Hydrilla verticillata</i> Under Interspecific Competition with Native Submerged Macrophytes |
| title_fullStr | Growth Allocation Shifts in the Invasive <i>Hydrilla verticillata</i> Under Interspecific Competition with Native Submerged Macrophytes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Growth Allocation Shifts in the Invasive <i>Hydrilla verticillata</i> Under Interspecific Competition with Native Submerged Macrophytes |
| title_short | Growth Allocation Shifts in the Invasive <i>Hydrilla verticillata</i> Under Interspecific Competition with Native Submerged Macrophytes |
| title_sort | growth allocation shifts in the invasive i hydrilla verticillata i under interspecific competition with native submerged macrophytes |
| topic | submerged macrophytes invasive exotics natives as barriers competition |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/24/3500 |
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