Leaf damage in three mangrove forests in Northeast Brazil

The damage types and herbivory rate in mature leaves of Avicennia schaueriana Stapf & Leechm ex Moldenke, Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn, and Rhizophora mangle L. were evaluated in three mangrove forests adjacent to hypersaline flats in the state of Paraiba, Northeast Brazil. Nine damage types were identified: holes, fungal spots, galls, undefined damage, margin damage, mining, necrosis, eggs, and rasping. Laguncularia racemosa exhibited a higher damage frequency and herbivory rate (3.17 to 7.07%) than Rhizophora mangle (0.77 to 1.76%) and Avicennia schaueriana (0.36 to 0.91%). Laguncularia racemosa had tougher leaves (wet weight/foliar area ratio) than the remaining species. The leaf herbivory percentages were low compared to other mangrove forests, most likely due to the high values of interstitial salinity. Abstract: Danos foliares em tres florestas de mangue no Nordeste do Brasil. Os tipos de danos e a taxa de herbivoria em folhas maduras de Avicennia schaueriana Stapf & Leechm ex Moldenke, Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn e and Rhizophora mangle L. foram avaliadas em tres florestas de mangue adjacentes a planicies hipersalinas no Estado da Paraiba, Nordeste do Brasil. Nove tipos de danos foram identificados: buracos, fungos, galhas, indefinidos, danos nas margens, minas, necrose, ovos e raspagem. Laguncularia racemosa exibiu maior frequencia de danos e taxa de herbivoria (3,17 a 7,07%) em relacao a Rhizophora mangle (0,77 a 1,76%) e a Avicennia schaueriana (0,36 to 0,91%). Laguncularia racemosa teve maior dureza foliar (razao peso umido/ area foliar) em relacao as demais especies. Os percentuais de herbivoria foliar foram mais baixos quando comparados a outras florestas de mangue, provavelmente devido aos altos valores de agua intersticial. Palavras-chave: especies de mangue, percentual de herbivoria, danos foliares