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A genetic similarity rule determines arthropod community structure.

Abstract：

:We define a genetic similarity rule that predicts how genetic variation in a dominant plant affects the structure of an arthropod community. This rule applies to hybridizing cottonwood species where plant genetic variation determines plant-animal interactions and structures a dependent community of leaf-modifying arthropods. Because the associated arthropod community is expected to respond to important plant traits, we also tested whether plant chemical composition is one potential intermediate link between plant genes and arthropod community composition. Two lines of evidence support our genetic similarity rule. First, in a common garden experiment we found that trees with similar genetic compositions had similar chemical compositions and similar arthropod compositions. Second, in a wild population, we found a similar relationship between genetic similarity in cottonwoods and the dependent arthropod community. Field data demonstrate that the relationship between genes and arthropods was also significant when the hybrids were analysed alone, i.e. the pattern is not dependent upon the inclusion of both parental species. Because plant-animal interactions and natural hybridization are common to diverse plant taxa, we suggest that a genetic similarity rule is potentially applicable, and may be extended, to other systems and ecological processes. For example, plants with similar genetic compositions may exhibit similar litter decomposition rates. A corollary to this genetic similarity rule predicts that in systems with low plant genetic variability, the environment will be a stronger factor structuring the dependent community. Our findings argue that the genetic composition of a dominant plant can structure higher order ecological processes, thus placing community and ecosystem ecology within a genetic and evolutionary framework. A genetic similarity rule also has important conservation implications because the loss of genetic diversity in one species, especially dominant or keystone species that define many communities, may cascade to negatively affect the rest of the dependent community.

journal_name

Mol Ecol

journal_title

Molecular ecology

authors

Bangert RK,Turek RJ,Rehill B,Wimp GM,Schweitzer JA,Allan GJ,Bailey JK,Martinsen GD,Keim P,Lindroth RL,Whitham TG

doi

10.1111/j.1365-294X.2005.02749.x

subject

Has Abstract

pub_date

2006-04-01 00:00:00

pages

1379-91

issue

eissn

0962-1083

issn

1365-294X

pii

MEC2749

journal_volume

pub_type

杂志文章

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A genetic similarity rule determines arthropod community structure.