How Galling Organisms Manipulate the Secondary Metabolites in the Host Plant Tissues? A Histochemical Overview in Neotropical Gall Systems

Abstract

The histochemistry approach has been used to understand cell metabolism modulation by galling organisms on their host-plant organs and the relationship of the accumulation of metabolites with the ecological and physiological roles. The main secondary classes of metabolites (i.e., phenolic compounds, terpenes, and alkaloids) have been mainly associated with the protection of galling organisms, scavenging of oxidative stress molecules, and the development of gall tissues. Therefore, this chapter brings together a compilation of the gall researches that assessed and discussed the role of secondary metabolites through histochemical approaches. The compartmentalization of secondary metabolites in different gall tissue sites, their related functions, and the detailing of the well-defined histochemical tests adopted in gall researches are the focus of this chapter.