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Insect Herbivores Drive Real-Time Ecological and Evolutionary Change in Plant Populations
Tekijät: Agrawal AA, Hastings AP, Johnson MTJ, Maron JL, Salminen JP
Kustantaja: AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE
Julkaisuvuosi: 2012
Journal: Science
Tietokannassa oleva lehden nimi: SCIENCE
Lehden akronyymi: SCIENCE
Numero sarjassa: 6103
Vuosikerta: 338
Numero: 6103
Aloitussivu: 113
Lopetussivu: 116
Sivujen määrä: 4
ISSN: 0036-8075
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1225977
Tiivistelmä
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.
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