STINGING TRICHOME DENSITY AND MORPHOLOGY OF THREE NETTLE SPECIES REFLECT MOUNTAIN GORILLAS' FEEDING BEHAVIOR

STINGING TRICHOME DENSITY AND MORPHOLOGY OF THREE NETTLE SPECIES REFLECT MOUNTAIN GORILLAS' FEEDING BEHAVIOR | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL Ecology and Evolution This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 20 February 2025 V1 Latest version Share on STINGING TRICHOME DENSITY AND MORPHOLOGY OF THREE NETTLE SPECIES REFLECT MOUNTAIN GORILLAS' FEEDING BEHAVIOR Authors : Alphonse Nyandwi , Winnie Eckardt 0000-0003-4590-4559 , Elias Bizuru , Myriam Mujawamariya , and Melanie DeVore 0009-0008-0731-9512 [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174005490.09068003/v1 Published Ecology and Evolution Version of record Peer review timeline 495 views 229 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Plants have developed defence mechanisms against herbivory, including stinging trichomes. Unlike smaller trichomes, which deter insects, the larger, biomineralized, stinging trichomes in Urticaceae defend plants from mammals. The trichome tip breaks off, pierces the skin, and injects irritants, causing an immediate sensation of pain. The herbivore will cease consuming the plant. Some herbivores process and consume nettles. Volcanoes National Park (VNP) in Rwanda provides habitat for several large folivores, including the endangered mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei). VNP mountain gorillas feed on stinging nettle species, including Laportea alatipes, Urtica massaica, and Girardinia bullosa. We investigated the link between the importance (proportion) of these stinging nettles in the diet of gorilla groups ranging in the southwest of VNP and their level of defence through assessing trichome density, length, and glandular base length from each plant organ of 15 specimens per nettle species, which were photographed with a scale ruler under a digital microscope. We also videotaped 14 mountain gorillas consuming L. alatipes to examine adapted feeding techniques to cope with stinging trichomes. We found that L. alatipes, which is consumed most frequently from the three study nettles, had a significantly higher stinging trichome density compared to U. massaica and G. bullosa. However, the length of stinging trichomes and glandular bases containing irritating secrets were significantly smaller in L. alatipes and U. massaica than in G. bullosa, from which gorillas almost exclusively avoid consuming above-ground organs covered with long trichomes. This suggests that larger stinging trichomes and secretory glandular bases offer a more effective defence against mountain gorillas than increased trichome density. The trichome density of L. alatipes tended to be higher on top leaves and stem sections, which are consumed by gorillas more frequently compared to lower parts. Plants have evolved in an intricate way to adapt to herbivores’ attack. Supplementary Material File (february 18th submission.docx) Download 1.28 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 20 February 2025 Peer review timeline Published Ecology and Evolution Version of Record 22 Jul 2025 Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Collection Ecology and Evolution Keywords behavioral ecology ecological experiment ecosystem multiple natural history terrestrial Authors Affiliations Alphonse Nyandwi University of Rwanda View all articles by this author Winnie Eckardt 0000-0003-4590-4559 Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International View all articles by this author Elias Bizuru University of Rwanda View all articles by this author Myriam Mujawamariya University of Rwanda View all articles by this author Melanie DeVore 0009-0008-0731-9512 [email protected] Georgia College and State University View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 495 views 229 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Alphonse Nyandwi, Winnie Eckardt, Elias Bizuru, et al. STINGING TRICHOME DENSITY AND MORPHOLOGY OF THREE NETTLE SPECIES REFLECT MOUNTAIN GORILLAS' FEEDING BEHAVIOR. Authorea . 20 February 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174005490.09068003/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. 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