A Simple Demonstration of Natural Selection in the Wild Using the Common Dandelion

1994 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 286-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Hilbish ◽  
Minnie Goodwin
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Simple Demonstration ◽  
The Common ◽  
Common Dandelion

scholarly journals Adaptations and responses of the common dandelion to low atmospheric pressure in high altitude environments

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla C. M. Arce ◽  
Zoe Bont ◽  
Ricardo A. R. Machado ◽  
Paulo F. Cristaldo ◽  
Matthias Erb
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Atmospheric Pressure ◽  
The Common ◽  
Low Atmospheric Pressure ◽  
Common Dandelion

Natural selection in the wild

2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 306-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Austin Burt
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
In The Wild

Natural selection in the wild

1987 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 634-638
Author(s):  
G WILKINSON
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
In The Wild

scholarly journals Predators as Agents of Selection and Diversification

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 415
Author(s):  
Jerald B. Johnson ◽  
Mark C. Belk
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Evolutionary Diversification ◽  
Multiple Predator Species ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
Future Work

Predation is ubiquitous in nature and can be an important component of both ecological and evolutionary interactions. One of the most striking features of predators is how often they cause evolutionary diversification in natural systems. Here, we review several ways that this can occur, exploring empirical evidence and suggesting promising areas for future work. We also introduce several papers recently accepted in Diversity that demonstrate just how important and varied predation can be as an agent of natural selection. We conclude that there is still much to be done in this field, especially in areas where multiple predator species prey upon common prey, in certain taxonomic groups where we still know very little, and in an overall effort to actually quantify mortality rates and the strength of natural selection in the wild.

scholarly journals A beta-glucosidase of an insect herbivore determines both toxicity and deterrence of a dandelion defense metabolite

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meret Huber ◽  
Thomas Roder ◽  
Sandra Irmisch ◽  
Alexander Riedel ◽  
Saskia Gablenz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Defense ◽  
Feeding Preference ◽  
Melolontha Melolontha ◽  
Herbivore Interactions ◽  
The Common ◽  
Common Dandelion ◽  
Beta Glucosidase ◽  
Insect Gut ◽  
Root Herbivore ◽  
Plant Herbivore

Gut enzymes can metabolize plant defense metabolites and thereby affect the growth and fitness of insect herbivores. Whether these enzymes also influence herbivore behavior and feeding preference is largely unknown. We studied the metabolization of taraxinic acid β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (TA-G), a sesquiterpene lactone of the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) that deters its major root herbivore, the common cockchafer larva (Melolontha melolontha). We demonstrate that TA-G is rapidly deglycosylated and conjugated to glutathione in the insect gut. A broad-spectrum M. melolontha β-glucosidase, Mm_bGlc17, is sufficient and necessary for TA-G deglycosylation. Using plants and insect RNA interference, we show that Mm_bGlc17 reduces TA-G toxicity. Furthermore, Mm_bGlc17 is required for the preference of M. melolontha larvae for TA-G deficient plants. Thus, herbivore metabolism modulates both the toxicity and deterrence of a plant defense metabolite. Our work illustrates the multifacteted roles of insect digestive enzymes as mediators of plant-herbivore interactions.

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