Diversity begets diversity: host expansions and the diversification of plant-feeding insects

: Janz N, Nylin S, Wahlberg N

Publisher: BIOMED CENTRAL LTD

: 2006

BMC Evolutionary Biology

: BMC EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY

: BMC EVOL BIOL

: 6

: 10

: 1471-2148

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2148-6-4

Conclusion: We conclude that resource diversity is correlated with species richness in the Nymphalidae and suggest a scenario based on recurring oscillations between host expansions - the incorporation of new plants into the repertoire - and specialization, as an important driving force behind the diversification of plant-feeding insects.

Ecology, evolutionary biology