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A geographic mosaic of trophic interactions and selection: trees, aphids and birds
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 12:09 authored by Smith, DS, Bailey, JK, Shuster, SM, Whitham, TGGenetic variation in plants is known to influence arthropod assemblages and species interactions. However, these influences may be contingent upon local environmental conditions. Here, we examine how plant genotype-based trophic interactions and patterns of natural selection change across environments. Studying the cottonwood tree, Populus angustifolia, the galling aphid, Pemphigus betae and its avian predators, we used three common gardens across an environmental gradient to examine the effects of plant genotype on gall abundance, gall size, aphid fecundity and predation rate on galls. Three patterns emerged: (i) plant genotype explained variation in gall abundance and predation, (ii) GxE explained variation in aphid fecundity, and environment explained variation in gall abundance and gall size, (iii) natural selection on gall size changed from directional to stabilizing across environments.
History
Publication title
Journal of Evolutionary BiologyVolume
24Pagination
422-429ISSN
1010-061XDepartment/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Blackwell Publishing LtdPlace of publication
9600 Garsington Rd, Oxford, England, Oxon, Ox4 2DgRights statement
Copyright 2010 EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGYRepository Status
- Restricted