Gall-forming insects concentrate on hybrid phenotypes of Eucalyptus hosts

We examined distributions of 33 gall forming insect species on parent species and three hybrid phenotypes in two Eucalyptus hybrid zones in Australia. Variation in insect abundance among hybrid classes was greater than variation between species suggesting that hybrid zones are sites of dynamic interactions between plants and herbivores. For instance, of 25 galling species in Victoria, 52% showed significant differences in abundance among hybrid classes, whereas only 24% differed between pure host species. While some components of hybrid use were very predictable, others were not. Based on galler use of pure species, we could accurately predict which hybrid phenotype would be most used. Our data show that most gall species concentrate on the hybrid class that is most similar to the parent species on which it is most abundant. However, species related taxonomically or by feeding guild did not exhibit consistent responses to hybrid and parent hosts. Thus pooling either hybrid classes or insect species for statistical analysis may mask underlying patterns. Overall, galler responses to three hybrid phenotypes are consistent with the hypothesis that plant hybrid zones and especially backcross hybrids are centers of insect species richness and abundance. Furthermore, galler response to hybrids plants suggests that the narrow host specificity characteristic of gallers may be less strongly influenced by plant developmental processes than generally thought. Our observations support the hypothesis that genetic differences among host plants in hybrid zones underlies patterns of insect host use. They also suggest that other mechanisms might be involved. Hybrid zone studies may have much to tell us about the ecology and evolution of plant-herbivore interactions

A conditional trophic cascade: Birds benefit faster growing trees with strong links between predators and plants

Terrestrial systems are thought to be organized predominantly from the bottom-up, but there is a growing literature documenting top-down trophic cascades under certain ecological conditions. We conducted an experiment to examine how arthropod community structure on a foundation riparian tree mediates the ability of insectivorous birds to influence tree growth. We built whole-tree bird exclosures around 35 mature cottonwood (Populus spp.) trees at two sites in northern Utah, USA, to measure the effect of bird predation on arthropod herbivore and predator species richness, abundance, and biomass, and on tree performance. We maintained bird exclosures over two growing seasons and conducted nondestructive arthropod surveys that recorded 63652 arthropods of 689 morphospecies representing 19 orders. Five major patterns emerged: (1) We found a significant trophic cascade (18% reduction in trunk growth when birds were excluded) only at one site in one year. (2) The significant trophic cascade was associated with higher precipitation, tree growth, and arthropod abundance, richness, and biomass than other site–year combinations. (3) The trophic cascade was weak or not evident when tree growth and insect populations were low apparently due to drought. (4) Concurrent with the stronger trophic cascade, bird predation significantly reduced total arthropod abundance, richness, and biomass. Arthropod biomass was 67% greater on trees without bird predation. This pattern was driven largely by two herbivore groups (folivores and non-aphid sap-feeders) suggesting that birds targeted these groups. (5) Three species of folivores (Orthoptera: Melanoplus spp.) were strong links between birds and trees and were only present in the site and the year in which the stronger trophic cascade occurred. Our results suggest that this trophic system is predominately bottom-up driven, but under certain conditions the influence of top predators can stimulate whole tree growth. When the most limiting factor for tree growth switched from water availability to herbivory, the avian predators gained the potential to reduce herbivory. This potential could be realized when strong links between the birds and plant, i.e., species that were both abundant herbivores and preferred prey, were present

The theory of habitat selection: Examined and extended using Pemphigus aphids

Grinnell (1914, 1922) was the first to hypothesize an ecological basis for dispersal. He concluded that since the probability of survival for dispersers was so low, “the interests of the individual are sacrificed in the interests of the species” (Grinnell 1922, p. 379). If all dispersing individuals suffer reduced fitness, however, the trait would not evolve (MacArthur 1972). Increased individual fitness should form the basis for dispersal and habitat selection

A virus-induced gene silencing method to study soybean cyst nematode parasitism in Glycine max

Background Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) based virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) vectors have been developed and used in soybean for the functional analysis of genes involved in disease resistance to foliar pathogens. However, BPMV-VIGS protocols for studying genes involved in disease resistance or symbiotic associations with root microbes have not been developed. Findings Here we describe a BPMV-VIGS protocol suitable for reverse genetic studies in soybean roots. We use this method for analyzing soybean genes involved in resistance to soybean cyst nematode (SCN). A detailed SCN screening pipeline is described. Conclusions The VIGS method described here provides a new tool to identify genes involved in soybean-nematode interactions. This method could be adapted to study genes associated with any root pathogenic or symbiotic associations

Suppression or Activation of Immune Responses by Predicted Secreted Proteins of the Soybean Rust Pathogen Phakopsora pachyrhizi

Rust fungi, such as the soybean rust pathogen Phakopsora pachyrhizi, are major threats to crop production. They form specialized haustoria that are hyphal structures intimately associated with host-plant cell membranes. These haustoria have roles in acquiring nutrients and secreting effector proteins that manipulate host immune systems. Functional characterization of effector proteins of rust fungi is important for understanding mechanisms that underlie their virulence and pathogenicity. Hundreds of candidate effector proteins have been predicted for rust pathogens, but it is not clear how to prioritize these effector candidates for further characterization. There is a need for high-throughput approaches for screening effector candidates to obtain experimental evidence for effector-like functions, such as the manipulation of host immune systems. We have focused on identifying effector candidates with immune-related functions in the soybean rust fungus P. pachyrhizi. To facilitate the screening of many P. pachyrhizi effector candidates (named PpECs), we used heterologous expression systems, including the bacterial type III secretion system, Agrobacterium infiltration, a plant virus, and a yeast strain, to establish an experimental pipeline for identifying PpECs with immune-related functions and establishing their subcellular localizations. Several PpECs were identified that could suppress or activate immune responses in nonhost Nicotiana benthamiana, N. tabacum, Arabidopsis, tomato, or pepper plants

Progeny selection for enhanced forest growth alters soil communities and processes

Genetic enhancement of tree species is integral to global forest management practices with mass propagation of enhanced plant material being used to reforest whole landscapes. It is unclear, however, how genetic enhancement of basic traits such as tree growth may influence the function of life supporting soil ecosystems. We studied the potential cascading effects of genetic increases in growth of Norway spruce (Picea abies) on a range of soil chemical and biological properties. Because this species is a prime candidate for the genetic enhancement of boreal forest landscapes and it has been introduced around the world, its impacts on soil microbiomes are likely of importance both locally and globally. In a 40-year common garden, we assessed how genetic increases in growth generated through controlled crossing of high-quality "plus" trees from across the central boreal zone of Sweden influenced a range of soil properties beneath the canopies. Properties included pH, carbon, nitrogen, nitrate, ammonium, phosphate, respiration rate, and the composition of microbial communities assessed via phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs). We found that Norway spruce family significantly affected each of the seven chemical properties assessed, with differences of up to 140% among families, and that three of the seven were significantly correlated with mean family growth rate. We also found that fungal PLFAs varied significantly across Norway spruce families, but these differences were not strongly related to mean family growth rate. This study, representing just one cycle of selective breeding, suggests that genetic increases in tree growth rates may also be inadvertently altering soil communities and ecosystem services. Such alterations across forest landscapes may have unexpected implications for the function of forest ecosystems (i.e., nutrient cycling) as well as processes of global significance (i.e., carbon sequestration)

Ecological and Evolutionary Interaction Network Exploration: Addressing the Complexity of Biological Interactions in Natural Systems with Community Genetics and Statistics

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