Factors influencing the morphogenesis of galls induced by Calophya mammifex (Calophyidae) on Schinus polygama (Anacardiaceae) leaves

Environment, plant and gall-inducing insect genotypes are key factors in determining the morphogenesis of galls. However, the exact roles of these factors have not been clarified. We used anatomical and histochemical methods to evaluate determinant factors in the final structure of galls induced by Calophya mammifex on Schinus polygama leaves, under the Mediterranean climatic conditions of southern Chile. Also, we compared mature galls with those induced by the congeneric C. rubra on the same host plant. Calophya mammifex develops a univoltine life cycle and a diapause period in the Mediterranean climatic conditions of southern Chile. Morphogenetic and histochemical leaf patterns were altered by C. mammifex feeding activity. For the first time, two specialized tissue compartments, a nutritive-like tissue and a common storage tissue, are reported for Calophyidae-induced galls in the Mediterranean region of southern Chile. Galls induced by C. mammifex and C. rubra have sufficient anatomical and histochemical alterations to be diagnosed as complex structures, whose distinction in vascular system differentiation implies structural constraints imposed by host plant organs.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author