ABSTRACT
Gall cytological, metabolic, and structural traits are established due to the feeding habits of the associated galling herbivores, and sometimes are influenced by other organisms involved in the interaction. We tested this assumption on three gall morphotypes, the globoid, the lenticular, and the fusiform, induced by Cecidomyiidae on leaflets of Inga ingoides (Rich.) Willd. (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae). Taking for granted that the three Cecidomyiidae galls are induced on the same host plant and organ, we assume that the cytological and histochemical traits of their nutritive cells may be similar, but under the fungi influence, the ambrosia gall cytological profile may be peculiar and reflect on the accumulation of primary metabolites. The ambrosia globoid galls involve three organisms (host plant, gall inducer, and fungi), while the fusiform and the lenticular galls involve two organisms (host plant and gall inducer). The accumulation of primary metabolites is similar among the three gall morphotypes, except for the non-detection of reducing sugars in the fusiform galls. The fungi presence can impact the system but does not define exclusive features for the ambrosia globoid galls when compared to the lenticular and fusiform morphotypes. In fact, the cytological traits have revealed three different cytological mechanisms for food resources availability to the three galling Cecidomyiidae: (a) cell wall destructuring and cell death by fungi intermediation in the ambrosia globoid galls, (b) necrosis-type cell death in the fusiform galls, and (c) maintenance of continuous metabolic activity in the lenticular galls.
