Cycas micronesica Megastrobilus Traits Respond to Chronic Herbivory by Aulacaspis yasumatsui

Abstract

Aulacaspis yasumatsui Takagi invaded Guam in 2003 and caused the widespread mortality of the indigenous Cycas micronesica K.D. Hill population. The regeneration of the surviving tree population continues to be constrained 20 years later, and a look at the changes in megastrobili traits may inform future conservation management decisions concerning regeneration. We quantified megastrobilus reproductive effort and output from 2001 to 2022 to address this need. The reproductive effort of each megastrobilus was immediately reduced by the invasion, as the number of megasporophylls declined by 29%, and the number of ovules declined by 73% in 2006. Reproductive output was also damaged, as the percent seed set declined by 56% and the number of seeds per strobilus declined by 88%. These fecundity metrics have shown few signs of recovery through 2022. Our results reveal that chronic A. yasumatsui infestations, combined with other invasive herbivore threats, have damaged the host C. micronesica population through a sustained reduction in ovule production and the percent seed set for each megastrobilus, thereby impairing regeneration. This plant response to the biotic threats is distinct from the ongoing mortality of mature trees and emerging seedlings. Conservation interventions may be required to foster a return to adequate regeneration during future attempts to aid C. micronesica recovery.