101
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Machado RAR, Zhou W, Ferrieri AP, Arce CCM, Baldwin IT, Xu S, Erb M. Species-specific regulation of herbivory-induced defoliation tolerance is associated with jasmonate inducibility. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:3703-3712. [PMID: 28616167 PMCID: PMC5468159 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Induced changes in root carbohydrate pools are commonly assumed to determine plant defoliation tolerance to herbivores. However, the regulation and species specificity of these two traits are not well understood. We determined herbivory‐induced changes in root carbohydrates and defoliation tolerance in seven different solanaceous plant species and correlated the induced changes in root carbohydrates and defoliation tolerance with jasmonate inducibility. Across species, we observed strong species‐specific variation for all measured traits. Closer inspection revealed that the different species fell into two distinct groups: Species with a strong induced jasmonic acid (JA) burst suffered from a reduction in root carbohydrate pools and reduced defoliation tolerance, while species with a weak induced JA burst maintained root carbohydrate pools and tolerated defoliation. Induced JA levels predicted carbohydrate and regrowth responses better than jasmonoyl‐L‐isoleucine (JA‐Ile) levels. Our study shows that induced JA signaling, root carbohydrate responses, and defoliation tolerance are closely linked, but highly species specific, even among closely related species. We propose that defoliation tolerance may evolve rapidly via changes in the plant's defense signaling network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo A R Machado
- Root-Herbivore Interactions Group Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology Jena Germany.,Department of Molecular Ecology Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology Jena Germany.,Institute of Plant Sciences University of Bern Bern Switzerland
| | - Wenwu Zhou
- Department of Molecular Ecology Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology Jena Germany
| | - Abigail P Ferrieri
- Root-Herbivore Interactions Group Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology Jena Germany.,Department of Molecular Ecology Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology Jena Germany
| | - Carla C M Arce
- Departamento de Entomologia Universidade Federal de Viçosa Viçosa (MG) Brazil
| | - Ian T Baldwin
- Department of Molecular Ecology Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology Jena Germany
| | - Shuqing Xu
- Department of Molecular Ecology Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology Jena Germany
| | - Matthias Erb
- Institute of Plant Sciences University of Bern Bern Switzerland
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102
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Lange D, Calixto ES, Del-Claro K. Variation in Extrafloral Nectary Productivity Influences the Ant Foraging. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169492. [PMID: 28046069 PMCID: PMC5207748 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Extrafloral nectar is the main food source offered by plants to predatory ants in most land environments. Although many studies have demonstrated the importance of extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) to plant defense against herbivores, the influence of EFNs secretory activity pattern on predatory ants remains yet not fully understood. Here, we verified the relation between the extrafloral nectar production of a plant community in Cerrado in different times of the day, and its attractiveness to ants. The extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) of seven plant species showed higher productivity overnight. Ant abundance was higher in times of large extrafloral nectar production, however, there was no positive relation between ant richness on plants and EFNs productivity. There was temporal resource partitioning among ant species, and it indicates strong resource competition. The nectar productivity varied among plant species and time of the day, and it influenced the visitation patterns of ants. Therefore, EFNs are a key ant-plant interaction driver in the studied system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Lange
- Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Campus Santa Helena, Santa Helena, PR, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Soares Calixto
- Pós-Graduação em Entomologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Kleber Del-Claro
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e de Interações (LECI), Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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103
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104
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Peterson JA, Ode PJ, Oliveira-Hofman C, Harwood JD. Integration of Plant Defense Traits with Biological Control of Arthropod Pests: Challenges and Opportunities. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:1794. [PMID: 27965695 PMCID: PMC5129739 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.01794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Crop plants exhibit a wide diversity of defensive traits and strategies to protect themselves from damage by herbivorous pests and disease. These defensive traits may be naturally occurring or artificially selected through crop breeding, including introduction via genetic engineering. While these traits can have obvious and direct impacts on herbivorous pests, many have profound effects on higher trophic levels, including the natural enemies of herbivores. Multi-trophic effects of host plant resistance have the potential to influence, both positively and negatively, biological control. Plant defense traits can influence both the numerical and functional responses of natural enemies; these interactions can be semiochemically, plant toxin-, plant nutrient-, and/or physically mediated. Case studies involving predators, parasitoids, and pathogens of crop pests will be presented and discussed. These diverse groups of natural enemies may respond differently to crop plant traits based on their own unique biology and the ecological niches they fill. Genetically modified crop plants that have been engineered to express transgenic products affecting herbivorous pests are an additional consideration. For the most part, transgenic plant incorporated protectant (PIP) traits are compatible with biological control due to their selective toxicity to targeted pests and relatively low non-target impacts, although transgenic crops may have indirect effects on higher trophic levels and arthropod communities mediated by lower host or prey number and/or quality. Host plant resistance and biological control are two of the key pillars of integrated pest management; their potential interactions, whether they are synergistic, complementary, or disruptive, are key in understanding and achieving sustainable and effective pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A. Peterson
- Department of Entomology, West Central Research and Extension Center, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, North PlatteNE, USA
| | - Paul J. Ode
- Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, Colorado State University, Fort CollinsCO, USA
| | | | - James D. Harwood
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, LexingtonKY, USA
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105
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Shah M, Teixeira FM, Soares EL, Soares AA, Carvalho PC, Domont GB, Thornburg RW, Nogueira FCS, Campos FAP. Time-course proteome analysis of developing extrafloral nectaries of Ricinus communis. Proteomics 2016; 16:629-33. [PMID: 26683443 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201500292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2015] [Revised: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Floral and extrafloral nectaries are unique organs that secrete energy rich chemical components, but their contribution for nectar production is largely unknown. Here, we present the first comparative proteome dataset of four developmental stages of the extrafloral nectaries from castor plant (Ricinus communis), an important biofuel crop. Respectively, from stage I-IV, we identified 626, 613, 449 and 356 proteins, respectively, summing up 882 nonredundant proteins. Surprisingly, we identified two isoforms of the potent toxin ricin, indicating that ricin expression is not limited to seeds, but it may serve a general defense purpose for the castor plant. To date, this is the most complete dataset of proteins either from floral or extrafloral nectaries, thus contributing to lay the foundations for investigations on their ecological and evolutionary importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohibullah Shah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Fabiano M Teixeira
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Emanoella L Soares
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Arlete A Soares
- Department of Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Paulo C Carvalho
- Laboratory for Proteomics and Protein Engineering, Carlos Chagas Institute, Fiocruz, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Gilberto B Domont
- Proteomic Unit, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Robert W Thornburg
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Fábio C S Nogueira
- Proteomic Unit, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Francisco A P Campos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
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106
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Carrillo J, Siemann E. A native plant competitor mediates the impact of above- and belowground damage on an invasive tree. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2016; 26:2060-2071. [PMID: 27755734 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Plant competition may mediate the impacts of herbivory on invasive plant species through effects on plant growth and defense. This may predictably depend on whether herbivory occurs above or below ground and on relative plant competitive ability. We simulated the potential impact of above- or belowground damage by biocontrol agents on the growth of a woody invader (Chinese tallow tree, Triadica sebifera) through artificial herbivory, with or without competition with a native grass, little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). We measured two defense responses of Triadica through quantifying constitutive and induced extrafloral nectar production and tolerance of above- and belowground damage (root and shoot biomass regrowth). We examined genetic variation in plant growth and defense across native (China) and invasive (United States) Triadica populations. Without competition, aboveground damage had a greater impact than belowground damage on Triadica performance, whereas with competition and above- and belowground damage impacted Triadica similarly. Whole plant tolerance to damage below ground was negatively associated with tolerance to grass competitors indicating tradeoffs in the ability to tolerate herbivory vs. compete. Competition reduced investment in defensive extrafloral nectar (EFN) production. Aboveground damage inhibited rather than induced EFN production while belowground plant damage did not impact aboveground nectar production. We found some support for the evolution of increased competitive ability hypothesis for invasive plants as United States plants were larger than native China plants and were more plastic in their response to biotic stressors than China plants (they altered their root to shoot ratios dependent on herbivory and competition treatments). Our results indicate that habitat type and the presence of competitors may be a larger determinant of herbivory impact than feeding mode and suggest that integrated pest management strategies including competitive dynamics of recipient communities should be incorporated into biological control agent evaluation at earlier stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juli Carrillo
- Department of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, 47907, USA.
| | - Evan Siemann
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, USA
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107
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Zha HG, Milne RI, Zhou HX, Chen XY, Sun H. Identification and cloning of class II and III chitinases from alkaline floral nectar of Rhododendron irroratum, Ericaceae. PLANTA 2016; 244:805-818. [PMID: 27189006 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-016-2546-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Class II and III chitinases belonging to different glycoside hydrolase families were major nectarins in Rhododendron irroratum floral nectar which showed significant chitinolytic activity. Previous studies have demonstrated antimicrobial activity in plant floral nectar, but the molecular basis for the mechanism is still poorly understood. Two chitinases, class II (Rhchi2) and III (Rhchi3), were characterized from alkaline Rhododendron irroratum nectar by both SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry. Rhchi2 (27 kDa) and Rhchi3 (29 kDa) are glycoside hydrolases (family 19 and 18) with theoretical pI of 8.19 and 7.04. The expression patterns of Rhchi2 and Rhchi3 were analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Rhchi2 is expressed in flowers (corolla nectar pouches) and leaves while Rhchi3 is expressed in flowers. Chitinase in concentrated protein and fresh nectar samples was visualised by SDS-PAGE and chitinolytic activity in fresh nectar was determined spectrophotometrically via chitin-azure. Full length gene sequences were cloned with Tail-PCR and RACE. The amino acid sequence deduced from the coding region for these proteins showed high identity with known chitinases and predicted to be located in extracellular space. Fresh R. irroratum floral nectar showed significant chitinolytic activity. Our results demonstrate that class III chitinase (GH 18 family) also exists in floral nectar. The functional relationship between class II and III chitinases and the role of these pathogenesis-related proteins in antimicrobial activity in nectar is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Guang Zha
- College of Life and Environment Sciences, Huangshan University, Anhui, 245041, China.
| | - Richard I Milne
- Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3JH, UK
- Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, EH3 5LR, UK
| | - Hong-Xia Zhou
- College of Life and Environment Sciences, Huangshan University, Anhui, 245041, China
| | - Xiang-Yang Chen
- College of Life and Environment Sciences, Huangshan University, Anhui, 245041, China
| | - Hang Sun
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650204, China
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108
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Pinto-Zevallos DM, Pareja M, Ambrogi BG. Current knowledge and future research perspectives on cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) chemical defenses: An agroecological view. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2016; 130:10-21. [PMID: 27316676 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2016.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is one of the most important staple crops worldwide. It constitutes the major source of carbohydrates for millions of low-income people living in rural areas, as well as a cash crop for smallholders in tropical and sub-tropical regions. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations predicts that cassava plantations will increase and production systems will intensify in the future, highlighting the need for developing strategies that improve the sustainability of production. Plant chemical defenses hold the potential for developing pest management strategies, as these plant traits can influence the behavior and performance of both pests and beneficial arthropods. Cassava plants are well-defended and produce a number of compounds involved in direct defense, such as cyanogenic glycosides, flavonoid glycosides, and hydroxycoumarins. In addition, volatile organic compounds induced upon herbivory and the secretion of extrafloral nectar act as indirect defense against herbivores by recruiting natural enemies. Here, cassava chemical defenses against pest arthropods are reviewed, with the aim of identifying gaps in our knowledge and areas of research that deserve further investigation for developing sound pest control strategies to improve sustainable production of this crop, and how these defenses can be used to benefit other crops. Cyanogenic content in cassava is also highly toxic to humans, and can cause irreversible health problems even at sub-lethal doses when consumed over prolonged periods. Therefore, the promotion of chemical defense in this crop should not aggravate these problems, and must be accompanied with the education on processing methods that reduce human exposure to cyanide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia M Pinto-Zevallos
- Laboratório de Ecologia Química, Departamento de Ecologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Sergipe - UFS, Av. Marechal Rondon, s/n - Jardim Rosa Elze, CEP 49100-000, São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil.
| | - Martín Pareja
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP, Caixa Postal 6109, Rua Monteiro Lobato 255, CEP 13083-862, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Bianca G Ambrogi
- Laboratório de Ecologia Química, Departamento de Ecologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Sergipe - UFS, Av. Marechal Rondon, s/n - Jardim Rosa Elze, CEP 49100-000, São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil
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109
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Anjos DV, Caserio B, Rezende FT, Ribeiro SP, Del-Claro K, Fagundes R. Extrafloral-nectaries and interspecific aggressiveness regulate day/night turnover of ant species foraging for nectar on Bionia coriacea. AUSTRAL ECOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Diego V. Anjos
- Departamento de Biodiversidade; Evolução e Meio Ambiente; Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto; Ouro Preto MG 35400-000 Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia; Universidade de São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto SP Brazil
| | - Bárbara Caserio
- Departamento de Biodiversidade; Evolução e Meio Ambiente; Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto; Ouro Preto MG 35400-000 Brazil
| | - Felipe T. Rezende
- Departamento de Biodiversidade; Evolução e Meio Ambiente; Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto; Ouro Preto MG 35400-000 Brazil
| | - Sérvio P. Ribeiro
- Departamento de Biodiversidade; Evolução e Meio Ambiente; Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto; Ouro Preto MG 35400-000 Brazil
| | - Kleber Del-Claro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia; Universidade de São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto SP Brazil
- Instituto de Biologia; Universidade Federal de Uberlândia; Uberlândia MG Brazil
| | - Roberth Fagundes
- Departamento de Biodiversidade; Evolução e Meio Ambiente; Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto; Ouro Preto MG 35400-000 Brazil
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110
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Jones IM, Koptur S, von Wettberg EJ. The use of extrafloral nectar in pest management: overcoming context dependence. J Appl Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian Matthew Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 SW 8th St. Miami FL 33199 USA
| | - Suzanne Koptur
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 SW 8th St. Miami FL 33199 USA
- Department of Earth and Environment; Agroecology Program; Florida International University; 11200 SW 8th St. ECS 157 Miami FL 33199 USA
- International Center for Tropical Botany; College of Arts & Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 SW 8th St. ECS 450 Miami FL 33199 USA
| | - Eric J. von Wettberg
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 SW 8th St. Miami FL 33199 USA
- Department of Earth and Environment; Agroecology Program; Florida International University; 11200 SW 8th St. ECS 157 Miami FL 33199 USA
- International Center for Tropical Botany; College of Arts & Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 SW 8th St. ECS 450 Miami FL 33199 USA
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111
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Jones IM, Koptur S, Gallegos HR, Tardanico JP, Trainer PA, Peña J. Changing light conditions in pine rockland habitats affect the intensity and outcome of ant-plant interactions. Biotropica 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian M. Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 S.W. 8th Street Miami FL 33199 USA
| | - Suzanne Koptur
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 S.W. 8th Street Miami FL 33199 USA
| | - Hilma R. Gallegos
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 S.W. 8th Street Miami FL 33199 USA
| | - Joseph P. Tardanico
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 S.W. 8th Street Miami FL 33199 USA
| | - Patricia A. Trainer
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 S.W. 8th Street Miami FL 33199 USA
| | - Jorge Peña
- Tropical Research and Education Center; University of Florida; Homestead FL 33031 USA
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112
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Gish M, Mescher MC, De Moraes CM. Mechanical defenses of plant extrafloral nectaries against herbivory. Commun Integr Biol 2016; 9:e1178431. [PMID: 27489584 PMCID: PMC4951176 DOI: 10.1080/19420889.2016.1178431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Extrafloral nectaries play an important role in plant defense against herbivores by providing nectar rewards that attract ants and other carnivorous insects. However, extrafloral nectaries can themselves be targets of herbivory, in addition to being exploited by nectar-robbing insects that do not provide defensive services. We recently found that the extrafloral nectaries of Vicia faba plants, as well as immediately adjacent tissues, exhibit high concentrations of chemical toxins, apparently as a defense against herbivory. Here we report that the nectary tissues of this plant also exhibit high levels of structural stiffness compared to surrounding tissues, likely due to cell wall lignification and the concentration of calcium oxalate crystals in nectary tissues, which may provide an additional deterrent to herbivore feeding on nectary tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moshe Gish
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, PA, USA
| | - Mark C Mescher
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich , Zürich, Switzerland
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113
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Belchior C, Sendoya SF, Del-Claro K. Temporal Variation in the Abundance and Richness of Foliage-Dwelling Ants Mediated by Extrafloral Nectar. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0158283. [PMID: 27438722 PMCID: PMC4954677 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants bearing extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) are common in the Brazilian cerrado savanna, where climatic conditions having marked seasonality influence arboreal ant fauna organization. These ant-plant interactions have rarely been studied at community level. Here, we tested whether: 1) EFN-bearing plants are more visited by ants than EFN-lacking plants; 2) ant visitation is higher in the rainy season than in dry season; 3) plants producing young leaves are more visited than those lacking young leaves in the rainy season; 4) during the dry season, plants with old leaves and flowers are more visited than plants with young leaves and bare of leaves or flowers; 5) the composition of visiting ant fauna differs between plants with and without EFNs. Field work was done in a cerrado reserve near Uberlândia, MG State, Brazil, along ten transects (total area 3,000 m2), in the rainy (October-January) and dry seasons (April-July) of 2010–2011. Plants (72 species; 762 individuals) were checked three times per season for ant presence. Results showed that 21 species (29%) and 266 individuals (35%) possessed EFNs. These plants attracted 38 ant species (36 in rainy, 26 in dry season). In the rainy season, plants with EFNs had higher ant abundance/richness than plants without EFNs, but in the dry season, EFN presence did not influence ant visitation. Plant phenology affected ant richness and abundance in different ways: plants with young leaves possessed higher ant richness in the rainy season, but in the dry season ant abundance was higher on plants possessing old leaves or flowers. The species composition of plant-associated ant communities, however, did not differ between plants with and without EFNs in either season. These findings suggest that the effect of EFN presence on a community of plant-visiting ants is context dependent, being conditioned to seasonal variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceres Belchior
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia MG, Brazil
| | - Sebastián F. Sendoya
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, C.P. 6109, Campinas SP, Brazil
| | - Kleber Del-Claro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia MG, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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114
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Gish M, Mescher MC, De Moraes CM. Targeted predation of extrafloral nectaries by insects despite localized chemical defences. Proc Biol Sci 2016; 282:20151835. [PMID: 26446809 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2015.1835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extrafloral (EF) nectaries recruit carnivorous arthropods that protect plants from herbivory, but they can also be exploited by nectar thieves. We studied the opportunistic, targeted predation (and destruction) of EF nectaries by insects, and the localized chemical defences that plants presumably use to minimize this effect. In field and laboratory experiments, we identified insects that were possibly responsible for EF nectary predation in Vicia faba (fava bean) and determined the extent and accuracy of the feeding damage done to the EF nectaries by these insects. We also performed biochemical analyses of plant tissue samples in order to detect microscale distribution patterns of chemical defences in the area of the EF nectary. We observed selective, targeted feeding on EF nectaries by several insect species, including some that are otherwise not primarily herbivorous. Biochemical analyses revealed high concentrations of l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, a non-protein amino acid that is toxic to insects, near and within the EF nectaries. These results suggest that plants allocate defences to the protection of EF nectaries from predation, consistent with expectations of optimal defence theory, and that this may not be entirely effective, as insects limit their exposure to these defences by consuming only the secreting tissue of the nectary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moshe Gish
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Mark C Mescher
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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115
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Ahmad P, Rasool S, Gul A, Sheikh SA, Akram NA, Ashraf M, Kazi AM, Gucel S. Jasmonates: Multifunctional Roles in Stress Tolerance. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:813. [PMID: 27379115 PMCID: PMC4908892 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Jasmonates (JAs) [Jasmonic acid (JA) and methyl jasmonates (MeJAs)] are known to take part in various physiological processes. Exogenous application of JAs so far tested on different plants under abiotic stresses particularly salinity, drought, and temperature (low/high) conditions have proved effective in improving plant stress tolerance. However, its extent of effectiveness entirely depends on the type of plant species tested or its concentration. The effects of introgression or silencing of different JA- and Me-JA-related genes have been summarized in this review, which have shown a substantial role in improving crop yield and quality in different plants under stress or non-stress conditions. Regulation of JAs synthesis is impaired in stressed as well as unstressed plant cells/tissues, which is believed to be associated with a variety of metabolic events including signal transduction. Although, mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are important components of JA signaling and biosynthesis pathways, nitric oxide, ROS, calcium, ABA, ethylene, and salicylic acid are also important mediators of plant growth and development during JA signal transduction and synthesis. The exploration of other signaling molecules can be beneficial to examine the details of underlying molecular mechanisms of JA signal transduction. Much work is to be done in near future to find the proper answers of the questions like action of JA related metabolites, and identification of universal JA receptors etc. Complete signaling pathways involving MAPKs, CDPK, TGA, SIPK, WIPK, and WRKY transcription factors are yet to be investigated to understand the complete mechanism of action of JAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvaiz Ahmad
- Department of Botany, S.P. CollegeSrinagar, India
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Sciences, King Saud UniversityRiyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saiema Rasool
- Forest Biotech Lab, Department of Forest Management, Faculty of Forestry, Universiti Putra MalaysiaSelangor, Malaysia
| | - Alvina Gul
- Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Science and TechnologyIslamabad, Pakistan
| | - Subzar A. Sheikh
- Department of Botany, Govt. Degree College (Boys), AnantnagAnantnag, India
| | - Nudrat A. Akram
- Department of Botany, GC University FaisalabadFaisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ashraf
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Sciences, King Saud UniversityRiyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Pakistan Science FoundationIslamabad, Pakistan
| | - A. M. Kazi
- Department of Botany, University of SargodhaSargodha, Pakistan
| | - Salih Gucel
- Centre for Environmental Research, Near East UniversityNicosia, Cyprus
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116
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Lortzing T, Calf OW, Böhlke M, Schwachtje J, Kopka J, Geuß D, Kosanke S, van Dam NM, Steppuhn A. Extrafloral nectar secretion from wounds of Solanum dulcamara. NATURE PLANTS 2016; 2:16056. [PMID: 27243650 DOI: 10.1038/nplants.2016.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Plants usually close wounds rapidly to prevent infections and the loss of valuable resources such as assimilates(1). However, herbivore-inflicted wounds on the bittersweet nightshade Solanum dulcamara appear not to close completely and produce sugary wound secretions visible as droplets. Many plants across the plant kingdom secrete sugary nectar from extrafloral nectaries(2) to attract natural enemies of herbivores for indirect defence(3,4). As ants forage on wound edges of S. dulcamara in the field, we hypothesized that wound secretions are a form of extrafloral nectar (EFN). We show that, unlike EFN from known nectaries, wound secretions are neither associated with any specific structure nor restricted to certain locations. However, similar to EFN, they are jasmonate-inducible and the plant controls their chemical composition. Wound secretions are attractive for ants, and application of wound secretion mimics increases ant attraction and reduces herbivory on S. dulcamara plants in a natural population. In greenhouse experiments, we reveal that ants can defend S. dulcamara from two of its native herbivores, slugs and flea beetle larvae. Since nectar is defined by its ecological function as a sugary secretion involved in interactions with animals(5), such 'plant bleeding' could be a primitive mode of nectar secretion exemplifying an evolutionary origin of structured extrafloral nectaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Lortzing
- Molecular Ecology, Dahlem Centre of Plant Sciences, Institute of Biology/Freie Universität Berlin, Haderslebener Strasse 9, 12163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Onno W Calf
- Molecular Ecology, Dahlem Centre of Plant Sciences, Institute of Biology/Freie Universität Berlin, Haderslebener Strasse 9, 12163 Berlin, Germany
- Molecular Interaction Ecology, Institute of Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, PO Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marlene Böhlke
- Molecular Ecology, Dahlem Centre of Plant Sciences, Institute of Biology/Freie Universität Berlin, Haderslebener Strasse 9, 12163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens Schwachtje
- Applied Metabolome Analysis, Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Joachim Kopka
- Applied Metabolome Analysis, Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Daniel Geuß
- Molecular Ecology, Dahlem Centre of Plant Sciences, Institute of Biology/Freie Universität Berlin, Haderslebener Strasse 9, 12163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Kosanke
- Molecular Ecology, Dahlem Centre of Plant Sciences, Institute of Biology/Freie Universität Berlin, Haderslebener Strasse 9, 12163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicole M van Dam
- Molecular Interaction Ecology, Institute of Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, PO Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Ecology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger-Strasse. 159, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Anke Steppuhn
- Molecular Ecology, Dahlem Centre of Plant Sciences, Institute of Biology/Freie Universität Berlin, Haderslebener Strasse 9, 12163 Berlin, Germany
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117
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Pringle EG. Integrating plant carbon dynamics with mutualism ecology. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2016; 210:71-75. [PMID: 26414800 DOI: 10.1111/nph.13679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Plants reward microbial and animal mutualists with carbohydrates to obtain nutrients, defense, pollination, and dispersal. Under a fixed carbon budget, plants must allocate carbon to their mutualists at the expense of allocation to growth, reproduction, or storage. Such carbon trade-offs are indirectly expressed when a plant exhibits reduced growth or fecundity in the presence of its mutualist. Because carbon regulates the costs of all plant mutualisms, carbon dynamics are a common platform for integrating these costs in the face of ecological complexity and context dependence. The ecophysiology of whole-plant carbon allocation could thus elucidate the ecology and evolution of plant mutualisms. If mutualisms are costly to plants, then they must be important but frequently underestimated sinks in the terrestrial carbon cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth G Pringle
- Michigan Society of Fellows, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Present address: Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Beutenberg Campus, Hans-Knoell-Strasse 8, Jena, 07745, Germany
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118
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Lortzing T, Steppuhn A. Jasmonate signalling in plants shapes plant-insect interaction ecology. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2016; 14:32-39. [PMID: 27436644 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2016.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Revised: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The phytohormone jasmonic acid (JA) regulates the induction of direct and indirect defences against herbivores. By now, the biochemical pathway of JA-signalling has been well resolved, allowing the use of an interdisciplinary toolbox and spurring the mechanistic investigation of plant-insect interactions. Recent advances show that JA-mediated plant responses are involved in the competitive and trophic interactions between various organisms throughout at least four trophic levels and therefore likely shape natural communities. Moreover, JA-mediated responses can be primed or suppressed by various environmental factors that are related to herbivory or not. Yet, to integrate the complex interactions at the physiological and ecological levels into community ecology, an examination of the often onetime discoveries for general rules and new bioinformatic approaches are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Lortzing
- Molecular Ecology, Dahlem Centre of Plant Sciences, Institute of Biology/Freie Universität Berlin, Haderslebener Str. 9, Berlin 12163, Germany.
| | - Anke Steppuhn
- Molecular Ecology, Dahlem Centre of Plant Sciences, Institute of Biology/Freie Universität Berlin, Haderslebener Str. 9, Berlin 12163, Germany.
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119
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Nave A, Gonçalves F, Crespí AL, Campos M, Torres L. Evaluation of native plant flower characteristics for conservation biological control of Prays oleae. BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2016; 106:249-257. [PMID: 26780918 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485315001091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have shown that manipulating flowering weeds within an agroecosystem can have an important role in pest control by natural enemies, by providing them nectar and pollen, which are significant sources of nutrition for adults. The aim of this study was to assess if the olive moth, Prays oleae (Bernard, 1788) (Lepidoptera: Praydidae), and five of its main natural enemies, the parasitoid species Chelonus elaeaphilus Silvestri (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Apanteles xanthostigma (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Ageniaspis fuscicollis (Dalman) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and Elasmus flabellatus (Fonscolombe) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), as well as the predator Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), can theoretically access the nectar from 21 flowering weeds that naturally occur in olive groves. Thus, the architecture of the flowers as well as the mouthpart structure and/or the head and thorax width of the pest and its enemies were analyzed. The results suggested that all beneficial insects were able to reach nectar of the plant species from Apiaceae family, i.e. Conopodium majus (Gouan) Loret, Daucus carota L. and Foeniculum vulgare Mill., as well as Asparagus acutifolius L., Echium plantagineum L., Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik., Raphanus raphanistrum L., Lonicera hispanica Boiss. et Reut., Silene gallica L., Spergula arvensis L., Hypericum perforatum L., Calamintha baetica Boiss. et Reut, Malva neglecta Wallr. and Linaria saxatilis (L.) Chaz. P. oleae was not able to access nectar from five plant species, namely: Andryala integrifolia L., Chondrilla juncea L., Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter, Sonchus asper (L.) Hill and Lavandula stoechas L.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Nave
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences,CITAB,University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro,UTAD,Quinta de Prados, 5001-801,Vila Real,Portugal
| | - F Gonçalves
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences,CITAB,University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro,UTAD,Quinta de Prados, 5001-801,Vila Real,Portugal
| | - A L Crespí
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences,CITAB,University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro,UTAD,Quinta de Prados, 5001-801,Vila Real,Portugal
| | - M Campos
- Department of Environmental Protection,Estación Experimental de Zaidín,CSIC,Profesor Albareda n° 1,18008 - Granada,Spain
| | - L Torres
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences,CITAB,University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro,UTAD,Quinta de Prados, 5001-801,Vila Real,Portugal
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120
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Davidson DW, Kopchinskiy A, Salim KA, Grujic M, Lim L, Mei CC, Jones TH, Casamatta D, Atanasova L, Druzhinina IS. Nutrition of Borneo's ‘exploding’ ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae:Colobopsis): a preliminary assessment. Biotropica 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Diane W. Davidson
- Department of Biology; University of Utah; 257 South, 1400 East Salt Lake City UT 84112-0840 U.S.A
- P.O. Box 16272 Portal AZ 85632-1272 U.S.A
| | - Alexey Kopchinskiy
- Research Area Biotechnology and Microbiology; Institute of Chemical Engineering; Technische Universität Wien; Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a A-1060 Vienna Austria
| | - Kamariah Abu Salim
- Environmental and Life Sciences; Universiti Brunei Darussalam; Jalan Tungku Link Bandar Seri Begawan BE 1410 Brunei Darussalam
| | - Marica Grujic
- Research Area Biotechnology and Microbiology; Institute of Chemical Engineering; Technische Universität Wien; Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a A-1060 Vienna Austria
| | - Linda Lim
- Chemistry Programme; Universiti Brunei Darussalam; Jalan Tungku Link Bandar Seri Begawan BE 1410 Brunei Darussalam
| | - Chan Chin Mei
- Chemistry Programme; Universiti Brunei Darussalam; Jalan Tungku Link Bandar Seri Begawan BE 1410 Brunei Darussalam
| | - Tappey H. Jones
- Department of Chemistry; Virginia Military Institute; Lexington VA 24450 U.S.A
| | - Dale Casamatta
- Department of Biology; University of North Florida; 1 UNF Drive Jacksonville FL 32224 U.S.A
| | - Lea Atanasova
- Research Area Biotechnology and Microbiology; Institute of Chemical Engineering; Technische Universität Wien; Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a A-1060 Vienna Austria
| | - Irina S. Druzhinina
- Research Area Biotechnology and Microbiology; Institute of Chemical Engineering; Technische Universität Wien; Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a A-1060 Vienna Austria
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121
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Pappas ML, Steppuhn A, Broufas GD. The role of phytophagy by predators in shaping plant interactions with their pests. Commun Integr Biol 2016; 9:e1145320. [PMID: 27195065 PMCID: PMC4857786 DOI: 10.1080/19420889.2016.1145320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Zoophytophagy is common among predacious arthropods, but research on their role in plant-herbivore interactions is generally focused on predation effects whereas their phytophagy is largely neglected. Our recent study revealed the ability of zoophytophagous predators to induce defense related traits and to affect herbivore performance apart from predation through the plant. Additionally, we show here that predator-exposed plants suffer less damage compared to unexposed plants. Thus, zoophytophagous organisms likely shape community structure by both their predation on herbivores and their phytophagy. Here, we consider zoophytophagous predators as plant vaccination factors and outline how their dual role in affecting herbivores may impact their use in biological pest control. Because plant responses to phytophagy and phytopathogens are known to interact, zoophytophagous predators may also affect plant-pathogen interactions. When we consider these indirect interactions with different plant pest organisms, we will likely better understand the ecology of the complex relationships among plants, herbivores and predators. Moreover, a comprehensive knowledge on the effects of the phytophagy of predators in these ecological interactions will potentially allow us to enhance sustainability in pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L Pappas
- Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology and Zoology, School of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry, Democritus University of Thrace , Orestiada, Greece
| | - Anke Steppuhn
- Molecular Ecology/Dahlem Center of Plant Sciences, Institute of Biology/Freie Universität Berlin , Berlin, Germany
| | - George D Broufas
- Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology and Zoology, School of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry, Democritus University of Thrace , Orestiada, Greece
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122
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Stenberg JA, Heil M, Åhman I, Björkman C. Optimizing Crops for Biocontrol of Pests and Disease. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2015; 20:698-712. [PMID: 26447042 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2015.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2015] [Revised: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Volatile compounds and extrafloral nectar are common defenses of wild plants; however, in crops they bear an as-yet underused potential for biological control of pests and diseases. Odor emission and nectar secretion are multigene traits in wild plants, and thus form difficult targets for breeding. Furthermore, domestication has changed the capacity of crops to express these traits. We propose that breeding crops for an enhanced capacity for tritrophic interactions and volatile-mediated direct resistance to herbivores and pathogens can contribute to environmentally-friendly and sustainable agriculture. Natural plant volatiles with antifungal or repellent properties can serve as direct resistance agents. In addition, volatiles mediating tritrophic interactions can be combined with nectar-based food rewards for carnivores to boost indirect plant defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan A Stenberg
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Plant Protection Biology, PO Box 102, 23053 Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Martin Heil
- Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, CINVESTAV-Irapuato, Km 9.6 Libramiento Norte, Irapuato, Guanajuato, 36670 México.
| | - Inger Åhman
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Plant Breeding, PO Box 101, 23053 Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Christer Björkman
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Ecology, PO Box 7044, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
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123
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Jones IM, Koptur S. Quantity over quality: light intensity, but not red/far-red ratio, affects extrafloral nectar production in Senna mexicana var. chapmanii. Ecol Evol 2015; 5:4108-14. [PMID: 26445662 PMCID: PMC4588640 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Revised: 06/28/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Extrafloral nectar (EFN) mediates food‐for‐protection mutualisms between plants and insects and provides plants with a form of indirect defense against herbivory. Understanding sources of variation in EFN production is important because such variations affect the number and identity of insect visitors and the effectiveness of plant defense. Light represents a potentially crucial tool for regulating resource allocation to defense, as it not only contributes energy but may help plants to anticipate future conditions. Low red/far‐red (R/FR) light ratios can act as a signal of the proximity of competing plants. Exposure to such light ratios has been shown to promote competitive behaviors that coincide with reduced resource allocation to direct chemical defenses. Little is known, however, about how such informational light signals might affect indirect defenses such as EFN, and the interactions that they mediate. Through controlled glasshouse experiments, we investigated the effects of light intensity, and R/FR light ratios, on EFN production in Senna mexicana var. chapmanii. Plants in light‐limited conditions produced significantly less EFN, and leaf damage elicited increased EFN production regardless of light conditions. Ratios of R/FR light, however, did not appear to affect EFN production in either damaged or undamaged plants. Understanding the effects of light on indirect defenses is of particular importance for plants in the threatened pine rockland habitats of south Florida, where light conditions are changing in predictable ways following extensive fragmentation and subsequent mismanagement. Around 27% of species in these habitats produce EFN and may rely on insect communities for defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian M Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences Florida International University Miami Florida
| | - Suzanne Koptur
- Department of Biological Sciences Florida International University Miami Florida
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124
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Koptur S, Jones IM, Peña JE. The Influence of Host Plant Extrafloral Nectaries on Multitrophic Interactions: An Experimental Investigation. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138157. [PMID: 26394401 PMCID: PMC4578773 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted with outplantings of the native perennial shrub Senna mexicana var. chapmanii in a semi-natural area adjacent to native pine rockland habitat in southern Florida. The presence of ants and the availability of extrafloral nectar were manipulated in a stratified random design. Insect communities were monitored and recorded over a period of six months with a view to addressing three main questions. Do ants provide biotic defense against key herbivores on S. chapmanii? Is the presence of ants on S. chapmanii mediated by EFN? Finally, are there ecological costs associated with the presence of ants on S. chapmanii, such as a reduction in alternative predator or parasitoid numbers? Herbivores on S. chapmanii included immature stages of three pierid butterflies, and adult weevils. Eight species of ants were associated with the plants, and other predators included spiders, ladybugs, wasps, and hemipterans. Parasitic, haemolymph-sucking midges (Ceratopogonidae) and parasitoid flies were also associated with the caterpillar herbivores, and possibly the extrafloral nectaries of the plants. The presence of ants did not appear to influence oviposition by butterflies, as numbers of lepidopterans of all developmental stages did not differ among treatments. Significantly more late instar caterpillars, however, were observed on plants with ants excluded, indicating that ants remove small caterpillars from plants. Substantially more alternative predators (spiders, ladybugs, and wasps) were observed on plants with ants excluded. Rates of parasitization did not differ among the treatments, but there were substantially fewer caterpillars succumbing to virus among those collected from control plants. We provide a rare look at facultative ant-plant mutualisms in the context of the many other interactions with which they overlap. We conclude that ants provide some biotic defense against herbivores on S. chapmanii, and plants benefit overall from the presence of ants, despite negative impacts on non-ant predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Koptur
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Ian M. Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Jorge E. Peña
- Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, Florida, United States of America
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125
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Hojo MK, Pierce NE, Tsuji K. Lycaenid Caterpillar Secretions Manipulate Attendant Ant Behavior. Curr Biol 2015; 25:2260-4. [PMID: 26234210 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2015] [Revised: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Mutualistic interactions typically involve the exchange of different commodities between species. Nutritious secretions are produced by a number of insects and plants in exchange for services such as defense. These rewards are valuable metabolically and can be used to reinforce the behavior of symbiotic partners that can learn and remember them effectively. We show here novel effects of insect exocrine secretions produced by caterpillars in modulating the behavior of attendant ants in the food-for-defense interaction between lycaenid butterflies and ants. Reward secretions from the dorsal nectary organ (DNO) of Narathura japonica caterpillars function to reduce the locomotory activities of their attendant ants, Pristomyrmex punctatus workers. Moreover, workers that feed from caterpillar secretions are significantly more likely to show aggressive responses to eversion of the tentacle organs of the caterpillars. Analysis of the neurogenic amines in the brains of workers that consumed caterpillar secretions showed a significant decrease in levels of dopamine compared with controls. Experimental treatments in which reserpine, a known inhibitor of dopamine in Drosophila, was fed to workers similarly reduced their locomotory activity. We conclude that DNO secretions of lycaenid caterpillars can manipulate attendant ant behavior by altering dopaminergic regulation and increasing partner fidelity. Unless manipulated ants also receive a net nutritional benefit from DNO secretions, this suggests that similar reward-for-defense interactions that have been traditionally considered to be mutualisms may in fact be parasitic in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaru K Hojo
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan; Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - Naomi E Pierce
- Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Kazuki Tsuji
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan; The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-8580, Japan
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