ABSTRACT The present study evaluated the relationship between herbivory and leaf quality of three abundant tree species (Cupania oblongifolia Mart., Siparuna guianensis Aubl. and Xylopia sericea St. Hill.) in the understory of a eucalyptus plantation and an adjacent Atlantic Rainforest fragment. Herbivory differed among species, since X. sericea was less attacked, while C. oblongifolia and S. guianensis were more. The species showed similar herbivory patterns between the investigated areas (eucalyptus plantation versus forest), although X. sericea showed higher herbivory rates in the forest fragment. Fiber values (NDF, CEL and LIG) varied significantly among the species, being lower in S. guianensis. X. sericea, the species with the highest C/N ratio, higher concentrations of total phenols, smaller leaf area and higher trichome density, showed the lowest leaf herbivory rates, corroborating the hypothesis that herbivory is lower in species with lower nutritional quality and a greater set of leaf defense features.

RESUMO Os objetivos do estudo foram avaliar se plantas de duas comunidades arbóreas distintas e adjacentes da Mata Atlântica (Mata Alta e Mussununga) diferem em relação à herbivoria e se plantas com maior conteúdo de água ou menor concentração de fibras nas folhas sofrem mais herbivoria. Os resultados indicaram que as duas comunidades estudadas não diferem quanto à porcentagem de herbivoria foliar e fibras, embora indivíduos da Mata Alta apresentem maiores porcentagens de água em suas folhas que indivíduos da Mussununga. Desta forma, o padrão de herbivoria encontrado para as duas comunidades arbóreas parece não ser influenciado pela concentração de fibra e conteúdo de água. Outros fatores (i.e. defesas químicas e/ou herbívoros) podem estar atuando como principais agentes.

ABSTRACT The aims of the present study were to verify whether plants from Mussununga differ from those of Mata Alta in relation to herbivory, water content, and fibres, and to test whether plants with lower leaf water content and higher fibres are less attacked by chewing insects. The results indicated that leaf herbivory percentages and fibres were similar between the two communities, although individuals from Mata Alta showed higher leaf water content than individuals from Mussununga. Thus, the herbivory patterns found for these tree communities do not seem to not be influenced by water content and fibres. Other factors (e.g., chemical defenses and/or herbivores) may be acting as main drivers.