Introduced populations of the garden lupine are adapted to local generalist snails but have lost alkaloid diversity

Abstract Intraspecific variation in growth and defence among plant populations can be driven by differences (a)biotic conditions, such as herbivory resources. Introduction of species to novel environments affects simultaneously encountered a resource availability both directly via altered competitive environment. Here, we address the question how (leaf mass per area (LMA), size) resistance traits alkaloids, leaf trichomes, generalist snail) vary covary between native introduced garden lupine, Lupinus polyphyllus . We focused specifically on evolved measuring from plants grown seed common Plants were more resistant against snail, Arianta arbustorum, they had trichomes higher LMA than populations. The composition alkaloids differed populations, with having diversity them. Resistance was positively associated size across all Other trait associations areas, implying that certain trade-offs may fundamentally different Our results suggest that, for loss herbivores alterations have led lower facilitate evolution optima without compensatory trade-offs. Such phytochemical similarity provides insights into mechanisms promoting successful invasions.