In tropical dry forests (TDFs), stem-succulent deciduous species produce leaves during the dry season which coincides with the period of lower herbivore abundance. In this study, we evaluated the effects of abiotic factors (precipitation and day length) on the vegetative phenology of three stem-succulent deciduous species (Cochlospermum vitifolium, Commiphora leptophloeos, and Manihot anomala) during 2 years. In addition, we compared leaf damage by herbivores and leaf defensive traits (specific leaf area, thickness, and content of phenolic compounds) on leaf cohorts produced before and during the rainy season by these stem-succulent deciduous species. We also evaluated herbivory and defensive traits on leaves produced during the rainy season by 14 non-succulent deciduous species. There was a positive effect of precipitation and day length on the amount of green leaves exhibited by the three stem-succulent species. The leaf cohort produced during the dry season by stem-succulent species showed lower leaf damage and content of phenolic compounds than the cohort produced during the rainy season by the same species and by non-succulent deciduous species. Leaf damage was only affected (positively) by the content of phenolic compounds, suggesting the production of induced defenses during leaf expansion. In general, herbivory levels were low in this study (0.57–6.37%) when compared with other TDFs, suggesting that a scape from herbivores due to anticipated leaf production is a weak selective force affecting plant fitness. These variations in leaf traits are mostly related to contrasting water conservation strategies among phenological groups. Further studies should evaluate other defensive and nutritional traits, as well as their variations along the leaf lifespan, to unravel herbivory patterns in TDFs.

在热带干旱森林（TDFs）中，多汁的落叶植物在干旱季节产生叶子，这与草食动物的丰度较低时期相吻合。在这项研究中，我们评估了非生物因素（降水量和日长）对三种茎状多汁落叶植物（Cochlospermum vitifolium，Commiphora leptophloeos和Manihot anomala）的营养物候学的影响。）在2年内。此外，我们比较了食草动物的叶片伤害和叶片防御特性（特定的叶片面积，厚度和酚类化合物的含量）对这些茎状多汁落叶树种在雨季之前和雨季产生的叶片群体的损害。我们还评估了雨季由14种非肉质落叶树种产生的叶片上的食草和防御性状。降水量和日长对三种茎状多肉植物所表现出的绿叶数量具有积极影响。与相同品种和非肉质落叶类植物在雨季期间相比，干肉质植物在干旱季节所产生的叶片队列显示出较低的叶片损伤和酚类化合物含量。叶片损伤仅（积极地）受到酚类化合物含量的影响，提示在叶片扩张过程中诱导防御的产生。一般而言，与其他TDF相比，本研究中的草食动物水平较低（0.57–6.37％），这表明由于预期的叶片产量而导致的草食动物逃逸是影响植物适应性的弱选择力。叶片性状的这些变化主要与物候群体之间不同的节水策略有关。进一步的研究应评估其他防御和营养性状，以及它们在叶片寿命中的变化，以揭示TDF中的草食性模式。这表明，由于预期的叶片产量而导致的草食动物出没是影响植物适应性的弱选择力。叶片性状的这些变化主要与物候群体之间不同的节水策略有关。进一步的研究应评估其他防御和营养性状，以及它们在叶片寿命中的变化，以揭示TDF中的草食性模式。这表明，由于预期的叶片产量而导致的草食动物出没是影响植物适应性的弱选择力。叶片性状的这些变化主要与物候群体之间不同的节水策略有关。进一步的研究应评估其他防御和营养性状，以及它们在叶片寿命中的变化，以揭示TDF中的草食性模式。