Caste allocation in litter Pheidole: lessons from plant defense theory

Michael Kaspari; Margaret M. Byrne

doi:10.1007/bf00177405

Information theory tests critical predictions of plant defense theory for specialized metabolism

Science Advances ◽

10.1126/sciadv.aaz0381 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (24) ◽

pp. eaaz0381 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dapeng Li ◽

Rayko Halitschke ◽

Ian T. Baldwin ◽

Emmanuel Gaquerel

Keyword(s):

Information Theory ◽

Plant Defense ◽

Fine Tuning ◽

Molecular Networks ◽

Nicotiana Attenuata ◽

Closely Related Species ◽

Specialized Metabolism ◽

Information Components ◽

Defense Theory ◽

Theory Framework

Different plant defense theories have provided important theoretical guidance in explaining patterns in plant specialized metabolism, but their critical predictions remain to be tested. Here, we systematically explored the metabolomes of Nicotiana attenuata, from single plants to populations, as well as of closely related species, using unbiased tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analyses and processed the abundances of compound spectrum–based MS features within an information theory framework to test critical predictions of optimal defense (OD) and moving target (MT) theories. Information components of plant metabolomes were consistent with the OD theory but contradicted the main prediction of the MT theory for herbivory-induced dynamics of metabolome compositions. From micro- to macroevolutionary scales, jasmonate signaling was confirmed as the master determinant of OD, while ethylene signaling provided fine-tuning for herbivore-specific responses annotated via MS/MS molecular networks.

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Extending Plant Defense Theory to Seeds

Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics ◽

10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-012120-115156 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

pp. 123-141

Author(s):

James W. Dalling ◽

Adam S. Davis ◽

A. Elizabeth Arnold ◽

Carolina Sarmiento ◽

Paul-Camilo Zalamea

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Plant Defense ◽

Microbial Communities ◽

Natural Enemies ◽

Reproductive Traits ◽

Seedling Vigor ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Defense Syndromes ◽

Defense Theory ◽

Antagonistic Interactions

Plant defense theory explores how plants invest in defenses against natural enemies but has focused primarily on the traits expressed by juvenile and mature plants. Here we describe the diverse ways in which seeds are chemically and physically defended. We suggest that through associations with other traits, seeds are likely to exhibit defense syndromes that reflect constraints or trade-offs imposed by selection to attract dispersers, enable effective dispersal, ensure appropriate timing of seed germination, and enhance seedling performance. We draw attention to seed and reproductive traits that are analogous to defense traits in mature plants and describe how the effectiveness of defenses is likely to differ at pre- and postdispersal stages. We also highlight recent insights into the mutualistic and antagonistic interactions between seeds and microbial communities, including fungi and endohyphal bacteria, that can influence seed survival in the soil and subsequent seedling vigor.

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Recent advances in plant-herbivore interactions

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.10313.1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 119 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Deron E. Burkepile ◽

John D. Parker

Keyword(s):

Plant Defense ◽

Ecosystem Function ◽

Nutrient Dynamics ◽

Community Dynamics ◽

Climate Impacts ◽

Chemical Defenses ◽

Recent Advances ◽

Herbivore Interactions ◽

Plant Herbivore ◽

Defense Theory

Plant-herbivore interactions shape community dynamics across marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats. From amphipods to elephants and from algae to trees, plant-herbivore relationships are the crucial link generating animal biomass (and human societies) from mere sunlight. These interactions are, thus, pivotal to understanding the ecology and evolution of virtually any ecosystem. Here, we briefly highlight recent advances in four areas of plant-herbivore interactions: (1) plant defense theory, (2) herbivore diversity and ecosystem function, (3) predation risk aversion and herbivory, and (4) how a changing climate impacts plant-herbivore interactions. Recent advances in plant defense theory, for example, highlight how plant life history and defense traits affect and are affected by multiple drivers, including enemy pressure, resource availability, and the local plant neighborhood, resulting in trait-mediated feedback loops linking trophic interactions with ecosystem nutrient dynamics. Similarly, although the positive effect of consumer diversity on ecosystem function has long been recognized, recent advances using DNA barcoding to elucidate diet, and Global Positioning System/remote sensing to determine habitat selection and impact, have shown that herbivore communities are probably even more functionally diverse than currently realized. Moreover, although most diversity-function studies continue to emphasize plant diversity, herbivore diversity may have even stronger impacts on ecosystem multifunctionality. Recent studies also highlight the role of risk in plant-herbivore interactions, and risk-driven trophic cascades have emerged as landscape-scale patterns in a variety of ecosystems. Perhaps not surprisingly, many plant-herbivore interactions are currently being altered by climate change, which affects plant growth rates and resource allocation, expression of chemical defenses, plant phenology, and herbivore metabolism and behavior. Finally, we conclude by noting that although the field is advancing rapidly, the world is changing even more rapidly, challenging our ability to manage these pivotal links in the food chain.

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Information theory tests critical predictions of plant defense theory for specialized metabolism

10.1101/2020.01.07.897389 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Dapeng Li ◽

Rayko Halitschke ◽

Ian T. Baldwin ◽

Emmanuel Gaquerel

Keyword(s):

Information Theory ◽

Plant Defense ◽

Fine Tuning ◽

Molecular Networks ◽

Nicotiana Attenuata ◽

Closely Related Species ◽

Specialized Metabolism ◽

Information Components ◽

Defense Theory ◽

Theory Framework

AbstractDifferent plant defense theories have provided important theoretical guidance in explaining patterns in plant specialized metabolism, but their critical predictions remain to be tested. Here, we systematically explored the metabolomes of Nicotiana attenuata, from single plants to populations, as well as of closely-related species, using unbiased MS/MS analyses and processed the abundances of compound-spectrum-based MS features within an information theory framework to test critical predictions of Optimal Defense (OD) and Moving Target (MT) theories. Information components of herbivory-elicited plant metabolomes were fully consistent with the OD theory predictions and contradicted the main prediction of the MT theory. From micro- to macro-evolutionary scales, jasmonate signaling was identified as the master determinant of OD while ethylene signaling provided fine-tuning for herbivore-specific responses annotated via MS/MS molecular networks.One-sentence summaryInformation theory tests defense theory predictions by providing a common currency for comparison of specialized metabolomes

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PLANT DEFENSE THEORY PROVIDES INSIGHT INTO INTERACTIONS INVOLVING INBRED PLANTS AND INSECT HERBIVORES

Ecology ◽

10.1890/04-0935 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 86 (4) ◽

pp. 897-904 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Helen M. Hull-Sanders ◽

Micky D. Eubanks

Keyword(s):

Plant Defense ◽

Insect Herbivores ◽

Defense Theory ◽

Insight Into

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