Effects of soil abiotic factors and plant chemical defences on seed predation on sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum)

Soil abiotic factors influence plant defensive traits by shaping the costs of defence production and these bottom-up effects on plants can in turn affect insect herbivory. However, few studies have disentangled direct indirect soil defences To address this gap, we tested seed predation via changes for sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum), a common coastal southern Spain whose seeds are consumed specialist caterpillars (Aethes species). end, estimated across several populations, as well measured different types putative chemical (phenolics, terpenes) (macro- micro-elements, physicochemical variables). We found positive association between (terpenes such α-thujene, α-pinene, β-pinene, β-myrcene, α-terpinene, y-terpinene, thymol methylether) predation. In addition, macro- micro-elements Ca, S Sr negatively correlated with defences; other or variables had no detectable defences. Despite observed latter predation, there was effect attack. Our findings suggest that variation key environments exert an important fennel, potential consequences interactions predators.