scholarly journals Genetic variants affecting plant size and chemical defenses jointly shape herbivory in Arabidopsis

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
AD Gloss ◽  
B Brachi ◽  
MJ Feldmann ◽  
SC Groen ◽  
C Bartoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Host Choice ◽  
Chemical Defenses ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Herbivore Interactions ◽  
Plant Herbivore ◽  
Plant Apparency

Herbivorous insects exhibit strong feeding preferences when choosing among plant genotypes, yet experiments to map loci mediating plant susceptibility to herbivory rarely incorporate host choice. To address this gap, we applied genome-wide association (GWA) mapping to uncover genetic polymorphisms mediating damage from foraging insects (two populations of Scaptomyza flava) across a mixture of Arabidopsis thaliana genotypes in experimental enclosures. The effect of chemical defenses (glucosinolates) on herbivory depended on herbivore genotype. Unlike many studies that minimize the effects of host choice behavior, we also found a large effect of plant size on herbivory—likely through its effect on plant apparency—that was independent of herbivore genotype. These herbivory-associated loci are polymorphic at fine spatial scales, and thus have potential to shape variation in herbivory within natural populations. We also show that the polymorphism with the largest effect on herbivory underlies adaptive latitudinal variation in Arabidopsis plant size across Europe. Overall, our results provide genetic support for ecological observations that variation in both chemical defenses and non-canonical defense traits (e.g., plant size and phenology) jointly shapes plant-herbivore interactions.

Plant-Herbivore Interactions

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Dealing
Keyword(s):  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Secondary Compounds ◽  
Nutritional Composition ◽  
Secondary Chemistry ◽  
Niwot Ridge ◽  
Herbivore Interactions ◽  
Ultimate Objective ◽  
Plant Herbivore

The alpine provides a tremendous opportunity for studying plant-herbivore interactions at the population, community, and ecosystem levels. For herbivores, variations in topography and microclimate result in a relatively large amount of spatial variation in plant communities within short distances (chapter 6). A large community of herbivores, from nematodes to grasshoppers to elk, occurs on Niwot Ridge. Furthermore, given the low rates of nutrient availability in alpine soils (Fisk and Schmidt 1995; chapter 12) combined with the slow-growing perennial habit of the vegetation, alpine plants should, in theory, invest heavily in defense against herbivores (Coley et al. 1985). The goal of this chapter is to provide: (1) a summary of the feeding behaviors of the herbivores on Niwot Ridge, (2) information on the nutritional and secondary chemistry of plants on Niwot Ridge as it relates to herbivory, and (3) a review of hypotheses on community dynamics of herbivores and plants relevant to the alpine. The ultimate objective is to provide a synthesis of information that will stimulate interest in alpine tundra as a system for studying the dynamics of plant-herbivore interactions at all levels of ecological organization. The flora of Niwot Ridge has been divided into six communities (May and Webber 1982; chapter 6). Regardless of community association, nearly all of the plant species occurring on the ridge are perennials and several are very long lived (May and Webber 1982). Communities can change across small spatial scales (meters), and community origin and maintenance are believed to be largely determined by abiotic factors (Walker et al. 1994; chapter 6). However, several studies suggest that biotic factors such as herbivory may have a significant impact on plant community dynamics (Huntly et al. 1986; Davies 1994). There is significant variation in the nutritional composition of plants on Niwot Ridge. Generally, and in the absence of plant secondary compounds, species that are high in nitrogen and low in fiber are presumed to be the most desirable as forage. Based solely on these nutritional variables, the clover Trifolium parryi is hypothesized to be one of the more-preferred forages, whereas alpine sandwort, Minuartia obtusiloba, should be one of the less-preferred food items.

scholarly journals Enemy escape: A general phenomenon in a fragmented literature?

FACETS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 1015-1044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia J. Mlynarek ◽  
Chandra E. Moffat ◽  
Sara Edwards ◽  
Anthony L. Einfeldt ◽  
Allyson Heustis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Herbivore Interactions ◽  
Phenological Changes ◽  
Expansion Range ◽  
Natural Range ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
Enemy Escape ◽  
Plant Herbivore ◽  
Evolutionary Consequences

Many populations are thought to be regulated, in part, by their natural enemies. If so, disruption of this regulation should allow rapid population growth. Such “enemy escape” may occur in a variety of circumstances, including invasion, natural range expansion, range edges, suppression of enemy populations, host shifting, phenological changes, and defensive innovation. Periods of relaxed enemy pressure also occur in, and may drive, population oscillations and outbreaks. We draw attention to similarities among circumstances of enemy escape and build a general conceptual framework for the phenomenon. Although these circumstances share common mechanisms and depend on common assumptions, enemy escape can involve dynamics operating on very different temporal and spatial scales. In particular, the duration of enemy escape is rarely considered but will likely vary among circumstances. Enemy escape can have important evolutionary consequences including increasing competitive ability, spurring diversification, or triggering enemy counteradaptation. These evolutionary consequences have been considered for plant–herbivore interactions and invasions but largely neglected for other circumstances of enemy escape. We aim to unite the fragmented literature, which we argue has impeded progress in building a broader understanding of the eco-evolutionary dynamics of enemy escape.

scholarly journals Recent advances in plant-herbivore interactions

F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 119 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Plant-herbivore assemblages under natural conditions are driven by plant size, not chemical defenses

2016 ◽  
pp. rtw131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Castells ◽  
Maria Morante ◽  
Sandra Saura-Mas ◽  
Anabel Blasco-Moreno
Keyword(s):  
Plant Size ◽  
Chemical Defenses ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Plant Herbivore

scholarly journals The Genetic Architecture of Ovariole Number in Drosophila melanogaster: Genes with Major, Quantitative, and Pleiotropic Effects

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 2391-2403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda S Lobell ◽  
Rachel R Kaspari ◽  
Yazmin L Serrano Negron ◽  
Susan T Harbison
Keyword(s):  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Genome Wide Association Study ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Direct Role ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Fitness Trait ◽  
Sleep Parameters ◽  
Activity Behavior ◽  
Ovariole Number

Abstract Ovariole number has a direct role in the number of eggs produced by an insect, suggesting that it is a key morphological fitness trait. Many studies have documented the variability of ovariole number and its relationship to other fitness and life-history traits in natural populations of Drosophila. However, the genes contributing to this variability are largely unknown. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study of ovariole number in a natural population of flies. Using mutations and RNAi-mediated knockdown, we confirmed the effects of 24 candidate genes on ovariole number, including a novel gene, anneboleyn (formerly CG32000), that impacts both ovariole morphology and numbers of offspring produced. We also identified pleiotropic genes between ovariole number traits and sleep and activity behavior. While few polymorphisms overlapped between sleep parameters and ovariole number, 39 candidate genes were nevertheless in common. We verified the effects of seven genes on both ovariole number and sleep: bin3, blot, CG42389, kirre, slim, VAChT, and zfh1. Linkage disequilibrium among the polymorphisms in these common genes was low, suggesting that these polymorphisms may evolve independently.

scholarly journals Genomic variation in the American pika: signatures of geographic isolation and implications for conservation

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly B. Klingler ◽  
Joshua P. Jahner ◽  
Thomas L. Parchman ◽  
Chris Ray ◽  
Mary M. Peacock
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Spatial Genetic Structure ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Thermal Sensitivity ◽  
Genomic Variation ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome ◽  
American Pika

Abstract Background Distributional responses by alpine taxa to repeated, glacial-interglacial cycles throughout the last two million years have significantly influenced the spatial genetic structure of populations. These effects have been exacerbated for the American pika (Ochotona princeps), a small alpine lagomorph constrained by thermal sensitivity and a limited dispersal capacity. As a species of conservation concern, long-term lack of gene flow has important consequences for landscape genetic structure and levels of diversity within populations. Here, we use reduced representation sequencing (ddRADseq) to provide a genome-wide perspective on patterns of genetic variation across pika populations representing distinct subspecies. To investigate how landscape and environmental features shape genetic variation, we collected genetic samples from distinct geographic regions as well as across finer spatial scales in two geographically proximate mountain ranges of eastern Nevada. Results Our genome-wide analyses corroborate range-wide, mitochondrial subspecific designations and reveal pronounced fine-scale population structure between the Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt Range of eastern Nevada. Populations in Nevada were characterized by low genetic diversity (π = 0.0006–0.0009; θW = 0.0005–0.0007) relative to populations in California (π = 0.0014–0.0019; θW = 0.0011–0.0017) and the Rocky Mountains (π = 0.0025–0.0027; θW = 0.0021–0.0024), indicating substantial genetic drift in these isolated populations. Tajima’s D was positive for all sites (D = 0.240–0.811), consistent with recent contraction in population sizes range-wide. Conclusions Substantial influences of geography, elevation and climate variables on genetic differentiation were also detected and may interact with the regional effects of anthropogenic climate change to force the loss of unique genetic lineages through continued population extirpations in the Great Basin and Sierra Nevada.

Genome-wide association implicates numerous genes underlying ecological trait variation in natural populations ofPopulus trichocarpa

2014 ◽  
Vol 203 (2) ◽  
pp. 535-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athena D. McKown ◽  
Jaroslav Klápště ◽  
Robert D. Guy ◽  
Armando Geraldes ◽  
Ilga Porth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Populations ◽  
Genome Wide Association ◽  
Trait Variation ◽  
Genome Wide

scholarly journals Neighbourhood effects determine plant-herbivore interactions below-ground

2017 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 347-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Huang ◽  
Elias Zwimpfer ◽  
Maxime R. Hervé ◽  
Zoe Bont ◽  
Matthias Erb
Keyword(s):  
Neighbourhood Effects ◽  
Herbivore Interactions ◽  
Below Ground ◽  
Plant Herbivore

To what extent do microsatellite markers reflect genome-wide genetic diversity in natural populations?

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
pp. 3808-3817 ◽  
Author(s):  
ÜLO VÄLI ◽  
ANNIKA EINARSSON ◽  
LISETTE WAITS ◽  
HANS ELLEGREN
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Microsatellite Markers ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Genome Wide
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