A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Insect Herbivores Drive Real-Time Ecological and Evolutionary Change in Plant Populations
Authors: Agrawal AA, Hastings AP, Johnson MTJ, Maron JL, Salminen JP
Publisher: AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE
Publication year: 2012
Journal: Science
Journal name in source: SCIENCE
Journal acronym: SCIENCE
Number in series: 6103
Volume: 338
Issue: 6103
First page : 113
Last page: 116
Number of pages: 4
ISSN: 0036-8075
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1225977
Abstract
Insect herbivores are hypothesized to be major factors affecting the ecology and evolution of plants. We tested this prediction by suppressing insects in replicated field populations of a native plant, Oenothera biennis, which reduced seed predation, altered interspecific competitive dynamics, and resulted in rapid evolutionary divergence. Comparative genotyping and phenotyping of nearly 12,000 O. biennis individuals revealed that in plots protected from insects, resistance to herbivores declined through time owing to changes in flowering time and lower defensive ellagitannins in fruits, whereas plant competitive ability increased. This independent real-time evolution of plant resistance and competitive ability in the field resulted from the relaxation of direct selective effects of insects on plant defense and through indirect effects due to reduced herbivory on plant competitors.
Insect herbivores are hypothesized to be major factors affecting the ecology and evolution of plants. We tested this prediction by suppressing insects in replicated field populations of a native plant, Oenothera biennis, which reduced seed predation, altered interspecific competitive dynamics, and resulted in rapid evolutionary divergence. Comparative genotyping and phenotyping of nearly 12,000 O. biennis individuals revealed that in plots protected from insects, resistance to herbivores declined through time owing to changes in flowering time and lower defensive ellagitannins in fruits, whereas plant competitive ability increased. This independent real-time evolution of plant resistance and competitive ability in the field resulted from the relaxation of direct selective effects of insects on plant defense and through indirect effects due to reduced herbivory on plant competitors.
UTU Research Portal