Effects of Tillandsia recurvata Colonization on Vegetative Reserve Compounds in Neltuma laevigata

Authors

  • José Luis Escobar-De Luna

    Laboratorio de Biología y Ecología Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Gómez Palacio 35010, Mexico
  • Luis Manuel Valenzuela-Nuñez

    Laboratorio de Biología y Ecología Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Gómez Palacio 35010, Mexico
  • Cristina García-De la Peña

    Laboratorio de Biología y Ecología Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Gómez Palacio 35010, Mexico
  • Quetzaly Karmy Siller-Rodríguez

    Laboratorio de Biología y Ecología Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Gómez Palacio 35010, Mexico
  • Edwin Amir Briceño-Contreras

    Departamento de Ingeniería Industrial, Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Lerdo, Lerdo 35150, Mexico
  • Geremías Rodríguez-Bautista

    Departamento de Producción Agrícola, Centro Universitario de la Costa Sur, Universidad de Guadalajara, Autlán de Navarro 48900, Mexico
  • Julio César Ríos-Saucedo

    Campo Experimental Valle del Guadiana, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Durango 34170, Mexico
  • José Antonio Hernandez-Herrera

    Departamento de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Saltillo 25315, Mexico
  • Cayetano Navarrete-Molina

    Departamento de Postgrado en Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Torreón 27054, Mexico
  • Jesús Vásquez-Arroyo

    Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Gómez Palacio 35010, Mexico
  • Raúl Alejandro Cuevas-Jaquez

    División de Ingeniería en Industrias Alimentarias, Instituto Tecnológico Superior de la Región de los Llanos, Guadalupe Victoria 34704, Mexico

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v8i5.13436
Received: 21 April 2026 | Revised: 18 June 2026 | Accepted: 17 August 2026 | Published Online: 9 September 2026

Abstract

Mesquite species are widely distributed across arid and semi-arid regions and provide important ecological and socioeconomic benefits, including timber, livestock forage, fuelwood, and food for human consumption. However, mesquite woodlands are threatened by several biotic factors, including insect pests, parasitic plants, and epiphytes. The abundance of the atmospheric epiphyte Tillandsia recurvata has been associated with the mineral characteristics of potential host-tree canopies. This study evaluated whether colonization by T. recurvata was associated with changes in nitrogenous compounds and carbohydrate reserves in natural stands of Neltuma laevigata in northern Mexico. Total soluble proteins were quantified using the Bradford method, total free amino acids using the Yemm and Cocking method, starch using a colorimetric iodine-based procedure, and total soluble sugars using the Van Handel method. Roots, stems, leaves, and fruits were compared between trees growing at a site colonized by T. recurvata and trees at a site where the epiphyte was absent. Total soluble protein concentrations did not differ significantly between sites in any of the evaluated organs. In contrast, significant differences in total free amino acid and starch concentrations were detected in all organs. Total soluble sugars concentrations did not differ significantly in roots or fruits, whereas significant differences were observed in stems and leaves. These findings indicate that T. recurvata colonization was associated with organ-specific variation in the nitrogen and carbon reserve compounds of N. laevigata, although total soluble protein concentrations remained unchanged.

Keywords:

Atmospheric Epiphyte; Carbon Reserves; Mesquite; Nitrogenous Compounds; Starch; Total Free Amino Acids; Total Soluble Proteins; Total Soluble Sugars

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Luna, J. L. E.-D., Valenzuela-Nuñez, L. M., Peña, C. G.-D. la, Siller-Rodríguez, Q. K., Briceño-Contreras, E. A., Rodríguez-Bautista, G., Ríos-Saucedo, J. C., Hernandez-Herrera, J. A., Navarrete-Molina, C., Vásquez-Arroyo, J., & Cuevas-Jaquez, R. A. (2026). Effects of Tillandsia recurvata Colonization on Vegetative Reserve Compounds in Neltuma laevigata. Research in Ecology, 8(5), 37–51. https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v8i5.13436

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Vol.8, Iss.5 (October 2026): In Progress

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Copyright © 2026 José Luis Escobar-De Luna, Luis Manuel Valenzuela-Nuñez, Cristina García-De la Peña, Quetzaly Karmy Siller-Rodríguez, Edwin Amir Briceño-Contreras, Geremías Rodríguez-Bautista, Julio César Ríos-Saucedo, José Antonio Hernandez-Herrera, Cayetano Navarrete-Molina, Jesús Vásquez-Arroyo, Raúl Alejandro Cuevas-Jaquez

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