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Kondo K, Suzuki M, Amadaira M, Araki C, Watanabe R, Murakami K, Ochiai S, Ogura T, Hayakawa T. Association of maternal genetics with the gut microbiome and eucalypt diet selection in captive koalas. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17385. [PMID: 38818452 PMCID: PMC11138522 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Koalas, an Australian arboreal marsupial, depend on eucalypt tree leaves for their diet. They selectively consume only a few of the hundreds of available eucalypt species. Since the koala gut microbiome is essential for the digestion and detoxification of eucalypts, their individual differences in the gut microbiome may lead to variations in their eucalypt selection and eucalypt metabolic capacity. However, research focusing on the relationship between the gut microbiome and differences in food preferences is very limited. We aimed to determine whether individual and regional differences exist in the gut microbiome of koalas as well as the mechanism by which these differences influence eucalypt selection. Methods Foraging data were collected from six koalas and a total of 62 feces were collected from 15 koalas of two zoos in Japan. The mitochondrial phylogenetic analysis was conducted to estimate the mitochondrial maternal origin of each koala. In addition, the 16S-based gut microbiome of 15 koalas was analyzed to determine the composition and diversity of each koala's gut microbiome. We used these data to investigate the relationship among mitochondrial maternal origin, gut microbiome and eucalypt diet selection. Results and Discussion This research revealed that diversity and composition of the gut microbiome and that eucalypt diet selection of koalas differs among regions. We also revealed that the gut microbiome alpha diversity was correlated with foraging diversity in koalas. These individual and regional differences would result from vertical (maternal) transmission of the gut microbiome and represent an intraspecific variation in koala foraging strategies. Further, we demonstrated that certain gut bacteria were strongly correlated with both mitochondrial maternal origin and eucalypt foraging patterns. Bacteria found to be associated with mitochondrial maternal origin included bacteria involved in fiber digestion and degradation of secondary metabolites, such as the families Rikenellaceae and Synergistaceae. These bacteria may cause differences in metabolic capacity between individual and regional koalas and influence their eucalypt selection. Conclusion We showed that the characteristics (composition and diversity) of the gut microbiome and eucalypt diet selection of koalas differ by individuals and regional origins as we expected. In addition, some gut bacteria that could influence eucalypt foraging of koalas showed the relationships with both mitochondrial maternal origin and eucalypt foraging pattern. These differences in the gut microbiome between regional origins may make a difference in eucalypt selection. Given the importance of the gut microbiome to koalas foraging on eucalypts and their strong symbiotic relationship, future studies should focus on the symbiotic relationship and coevolution between koalas and the gut microbiome to understand individual and regional differences in eucalypt diet selection by koalas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Kondo
- Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Mirei Suzuki
- Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Mana Amadaira
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, Japan
| | - Chiharu Araki
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, Japan
| | - Rie Watanabe
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, Japan
| | | | | | - Tadatoshi Ogura
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, Japan
| | - Takashi Hayakawa
- Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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Crowther MS, Rus AI, Mella VSA, Krockenberger MB, Lindsay J, Moore BD, McArthur C. Patch quality and habitat fragmentation shape the foraging patterns of a specialist folivore. Behav Ecol 2022; 33:1007-1017. [PMID: 36382228 PMCID: PMC9639584 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arac068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 09/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Research on use of foraging patches has focused on why herbivores visit or quit patches, yet little is known about visits to patches over time. Food quality, as reflected by higher nutritional quality and lower plant defenses, and physical patch characteristics, which offer protection from predators and weather, affect patch use and hence should influence their revisitation. Due to the potentially high costs of moving between patches, fragmented habitats are predicted to complicate foraging decisions of many animals. We aimed to determine how food quality, shelter availability and habitat fragmentation influence tree reuse by a specialist folivore, the koala, in a fragmented agricultural landscape. We GPS-tracked 23 koalas in northern New South Wales, Australia and collated number of revisits, average residence time, and average time-to-return to each tree. We measured tree characteristics including food quality (foliar nitrogen and toxic formylated phloroglucinol compounds, FPCs concentrations), tree size, and tree connectedness. We also modeled the costs of locomotion between trees. Koalas re-visited isolated trees with high leaf nitrogen disproportionately often. They spent longer time in trees with high leaf nitrogen, and in large trees used for shelter. They took longer to return to trees with low leaf nitrogen. Tree connectivity reduced travel costs between patches, being either individual or groups of trees. FPC levels had no detectable effect on patch revisitation. We conclude that food quality and shelter drive koala tree re-visits. Scattered, isolated trees with nutrient-rich leaves are valuable resource patches for koalas despite movement costs to reach them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew S Crowther
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Adrian I Rus
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Valentina S A Mella
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Mark B Krockenberger
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, 176 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, New South Wales 2145, Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Emerging Infectious diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, 176 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, New South Wales 2145, Australia
| | - Jasmine Lindsay
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Ben D Moore
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, New South Wales 2753, Australia
| | - Clare McArthur
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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3
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Unveiling Chemical Cues of Insect-Tree and Insect-Insect Interactions for the Eucalyptus Weevil and Its Egg Parasitoid by Multidimensional Gas Chromatographic Methods. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27134042. [PMID: 35807301 PMCID: PMC9268296 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27134042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Multidimensional gas chromatography is, presently, an established and powerful analytical tool, due to higher resolving power than the classical 1D chromatographic approaches. Applied to multiple areas, it allows to isolate, detect and identify a larger number of compounds present in complex matrices, even in trace amounts. Research was conducted to determine which compounds, emitted by host plants of the eucalyptus weevil, Gonipterus platensis, might mediate host selection behavior. The identification of a pheromone blend of G. platensis is presented, revealing to be more attractive to weevils of both sexes, than the individual compounds. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were collected by headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME), MonoTrapTM disks, and simultaneous distillation-extraction (SDE). Combining one dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) chromatographic systems—comprehensive and heart-cut two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC and H/C-MD-GC, respectively) with mass spectrometry (MS) and electroantennographic (EAD) detection, enabled the selection and identification of pertinent semiochemicals which were detected by the insect antennal olfactory system. The behavioral effect of a selected blend of compounds was assessed in a two-arm olfactometer with ten parallel walking chambers, coupled to video tracking and data analysis software. An active blend, composed by cis and trans-verbenol, verbenene, myrtenol and trans-pinocarveol was achieved.
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Goldingay RL, McHugh D, Parkyn JL. Multiyear monitoring of threatened iconic arboreal mammals in a mid‐elevation conservation reserve in eastern Australia. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8935. [PMID: 35646314 PMCID: PMC9130560 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiyear investigations of population dynamics are fundamental to threatened species conservation. We used multiseason occupancy based on spotlight surveys to investigate dynamic occupancy of the koala and the greater glider over an 8‐year period that encompassed a severe drought in year 6. We combined our occupancy estimates with literature estimates of density to estimate the population sizes of these species within the focal conservation reserve. Both species showed substantial yearly variation in the probability of detection (koala: 0.13–0.24; greater glider: 0.12–0.36). Detection of the koala did not follow any obvious pattern. Low detection of the greater glider coincided with the drought and two subsequent years. We suggest the low detection reflected a decline in abundance. The probability of occupancy of the koala was estimated to be 0.88 (95% CI: 0.75–1.0) in year 8. Autonomous recording units were also used in year 8, enabling an independent occupancy estimate of 0.80 (0.64–0.90). We found no evidence of a drought‐induced decline in the koala. Habitat variables had a weak influence on koala occupancy probabilities. The probability of occupancy of the greater glider changed little over time, from 0.52 (95% CI: 0.24–0.81) to 0.63 (0.42–0.85) in year 8. Modeling suggested that the probability of colonization was positively influenced by the percentage cover of rainforest. Increased cover of these nonbrowse trees may reflect thermal buffering, site productivity, or soil moisture. We estimate that our study reserve is likely to contain >900 adult koalas and >2400 adult greater gliders. These are among some of the first reserve‐wide estimates for these species. Our study reserve can play an important role in the conservation of both species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross L. Goldingay
- Faculty of Science Southern Cross University Lismore New South Wales Australia
| | - Darren McHugh
- Faculty of Science Southern Cross University Lismore New South Wales Australia
| | - Jonathan L. Parkyn
- Faculty of Science Southern Cross University Lismore New South Wales Australia
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5
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Law B, Kerr I, Gonsalves L, Brassil T, Eichinski P, Truskinger A, Roe P. Mini‐acoustic sensors reveal occupancy and threats to koalas
Phascolarctos cinereus
in private native forests. J Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brad Law
- Forest Science NSW Primary Industries Parramatta NSW Australia
| | - Isobel Kerr
- Forest Science NSW Primary Industries Parramatta NSW Australia
| | - Leroy Gonsalves
- Forest Science NSW Primary Industries Parramatta NSW Australia
| | - Traecey Brassil
- Forest Science NSW Primary Industries Parramatta NSW Australia
| | - Phil Eichinski
- Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Qld Australia
| | | | - Paul Roe
- Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Qld Australia
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6
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Nguyen GTH, Bennett JL, Liu S, Hancock SE, Winter DL, Glover DJ, Donald WA. Multiplexed Screening of Thousands of Natural Products for Protein-Ligand Binding in Native Mass Spectrometry. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:21379-21387. [PMID: 34886668 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c10408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The structural diversity of natural products offers unique opportunities for drug discovery, but challenges associated with their isolation and screening can hinder the identification of drug-like molecules from complex natural product extracts. Here we introduce a mass spectrometry-based approach that integrates untargeted metabolomics with multistage, high-resolution native mass spectrometry to rapidly identify natural products that bind to therapeutically relevant protein targets. By directly screening crude natural product extracts containing thousands of drug-like small molecules using a single, rapid measurement, we could identify novel natural product ligands of human drug targets without fractionation. This method should significantly increase the efficiency of target-based natural product drug discovery workflows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giang T H Nguyen
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Jack L Bennett
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Sherrie Liu
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Sarah E Hancock
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Daniel L Winter
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Dominic J Glover
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - William A Donald
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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Romero B, Ganteaume A. Effect of Fire Frequency on the Flammability of Two Mediterranean Pines: Link with Needle Terpene Content. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10102164. [PMID: 34685974 PMCID: PMC8541587 DOI: 10.3390/plants10102164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Flammability is a major factor involved in Mediterranean plant evolution that has led to the diversity of fire-related traits according to fire regimes and fire-adaptive strategies. With on-going climate change, new fire regimes are threatening plant species if they do not adapt or acclimate. Studying flammability and terpene content variation according to the different fire frequencies in the recent fire history represents a great challenge to anticipating the flammability of ecosystems in the near future. The flammability of shoots and litter as well as the needle terpene contents of two pine species with different fire adaptive strategies (Pinus halepensis and Pinus sylvestris) were measured according to two fire modalities (0 vs. 1–2 fire events over the last 60 years). Results showed that, regardless of the species and the fuel type, flammability was higher in populations having undergone at least one past fire event even when factors influencing flammability (e.g., structural traits and hydric content) were considered. The terpene content did not vary in P. sylvestris’ needles according to the fire modality, but that of sesqui- and diterpenes was higher in P. halepensis’ needles sampled in the “Fire” modality. In addition, associations made between flammability and terpene content using random forest analyses indicated that the terpene molecules differed between fire modalities for both species and fuel types. The same results were obtained with significant terpenes driving flammability as were highlighted in the PLS analyses, especially for P. halepensis for which enhanced shoot flammability in the “Fire” modality agreed with the adaptive strategy of this species to fire.
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8
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Ong OTW, Skinner EB, Johnson BJ, Old JM. Mosquito-Borne Viruses and Non-Human Vertebrates in Australia: A Review. Viruses 2021; 13:265. [PMID: 33572234 PMCID: PMC7915788 DOI: 10.3390/v13020265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne viruses are well recognized as a global public health burden amongst humans, but the effects on non-human vertebrates is rarely reported. Australia, houses a number of endemic mosquito-borne viruses, such as Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus, and Murray Valley encephalitis virus. In this review, we synthesize the current state of mosquito-borne viruses impacting non-human vertebrates in Australia, including diseases that could be introduced due to local mosquito distribution. Given the unique island biogeography of Australia and the endemism of vertebrate species (including macropods and monotremes), Australia is highly susceptible to foreign mosquito species becoming established, and mosquito-borne viruses becoming endemic alongside novel reservoirs. For each virus, we summarize the known geographic distribution, mosquito vectors, vertebrate hosts, clinical signs and treatments, and highlight the importance of including non-human vertebrates in the assessment of future disease outbreaks. The mosquito-borne viruses discussed can impact wildlife, livestock, and companion animals, causing significant changes to Australian ecology and economy. The complex nature of mosquito-borne disease, and challenges in assessing the impacts to non-human vertebrate species, makes this an important topic to periodically review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oselyne T. W. Ong
- Children’s Medical Research Institute, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia;
- Mosquito Control Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia;
| | - Eloise B. Skinner
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia;
- Biology Department, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Brian J. Johnson
- Mosquito Control Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia;
| | - Julie M. Old
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury, Locked bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
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9
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Marschner C, Krockenberger MB, Higgins DP, Mitchell C, Moore BD. Ingestion and Absorption of Eucalypt Monoterpenes in the Specialist Feeder, the Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). J Chem Ecol 2019; 45:798-807. [PMID: 31422515 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-019-01097-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The koala is a specialist feeder with a diet consisting almost exclusively of potentially toxic eucalypt leaves. Monoterpenes, an abundant class of plant secondary metabolites in eucalypts, are highly lipophilic. Chronic absorption and systemic exposure can be anticipated for the koala, causing health effects in various ways when consumed in high amounts, but particularly causing alterations in immune function in this species. Therefore, careful leaf selection, efficient detoxification pathways, and other specialist adaptations are required to protect animals from acute intoxication. This is the first paper providing insight into the systemic exposure of koalas to these compounds. Profiles of six selected major monoterpenes were investigated in the ingesta of deceased koalas from four different regions of NSW and South-East Queensland. Concentrations of the same compounds were measured in lymphoid tissues of deceased koalas and in the blood of live koalas from other regions of NSW. Analytical methods included liquid extraction and solid-phase micro-extraction, followed by gas-chromatography/ mass-spectrometry. Concentrations in the ingesta of individual animals vary remarkably, though the average proportions of individual monoterpenes in the ingesta of animals from the four different regions are highly comparable. Blood concentrations of the selected monoterpenes also varied considerably. The highest blood concentrations were found for 1,8-cineole, up to 971 ng/ml. There was similarity between circulating monoterpene profiles and ingesta profiles. Based on the observed lack of similarity between blood and lymph tissue concentrations, individual monoterpenes either exhibit different affinities for lymphatic tissue compared to blood or their accumulation in blood and lymph tissue differs temporally. In general, blood monoterpene concentrations found in koalas were low compared to those reported in other marsupial eucalypt feeders, but significant concentrations of monoterpenes were detected in all samples analysed. This data on blood and lymphatic tissue monoterpene concentrations builds the fundamental groundwork for future research into the effects of dietary monoterpenes on various biological processes of specialist herbivores and into the significance of these animals' metabolic and behavioural strategies for coping with these compounds. We have shown that the systemic exposure of koalas to potentially anti-inflammatory eucalypt monoterpenes is continuous, and we provide data on physiological concentrations which will allow realistic future studies of the effects of monoterpenes on immune cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Marschner
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia.
| | - Mark B Krockenberger
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Damien P Higgins
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Christopher Mitchell
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, NSW, 2753, Australia
| | - Ben D Moore
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, NSW, 2753, Australia
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10
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Brice KL, Trivedi P, Jeffries TC, Blyton MDJ, Mitchell C, Singh BK, Moore BD. The Koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus) faecal microbiome differs with diet in a wild population. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6534. [PMID: 30972242 PMCID: PMC6448554 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The diet of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is comprised almost exclusively of foliage from the genus Eucalyptus (family Myrtaceae). Eucalyptus produces a wide variety of potentially toxic plant secondary metabolites which have evolved as chemical defences against herbivory. The koala is classified as an obligate dietary specialist, and although dietary specialisation is rare in mammalian herbivores, it has been found elsewhere to promote a highly-conserved but low-diversity gut microbiome. The gut microbes of dietary specialists have been found sometimes to enhance tolerance of dietary PSMs, facilitating competition-free access to food. Although the koala and its gut microbes have evolved together to utilise a low nutrient, potentially toxic diet, their gut microbiome has not previously been assessed in conjunction with diet quality. Thus, linking the two may provide new insights in to the ability of the koala to extract nutrients and detoxify their potentially toxic diet. Method The 16S rRNA gene was used to characterise the composition and diversity of faecal bacterial communities from a wild koala population (n = 32) comprising individuals that predominately eat either one of two different food species, one the strongly preferred and relatively nutritious species Eucalyptus viminalis, the other comprising the less preferred and less digestible species Eucalyptus obliqua. Results Alpha diversity indices indicated consistently and significantly lower diversity and richness in koalas eating E. viminalis. Assessment of beta diversity using both weighted and unweighted UniFrac matrices indicated that diet was a strong driver of both microbial community structure, and of microbial presence/absence across the combined koala population and when assessed independently. Further, principal coordinates analysis based on both the weighted and unweighted UniFrac matrices for the combined and separated populations, also revealed a separation linked to diet. During our analysis of the OTU tables we also detected a strong association between microbial community composition and host diet. We found that the phyla Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were co-dominant in all faecal microbiomes, with Cyanobacteria also co-dominant in some individuals; however, the E. viminalis diet produced communities dominated by the genera Parabacteroides and/or Bacteroides, whereas the E. obliqua-associated diets were dominated by unidentified genera from the family Ruminococcaceae. Discussion We show that diet differences, even those caused by differential consumption of the foliage of two species from the same plant genus, can profoundly affect the gut microbiome of a specialist folivorous mammal, even amongst individuals in the same population. We identify key microbiota associated with each diet type and predict functions within the microbial community based on 80 previously identified Parabacteroides and Ruminococcaceae genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie L Brice
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.,Bioagricultural Sciences & Pest Management, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Pankaj Trivedi
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.,Bioagricultural Sciences & Pest Management, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America.,Global Centre for Land Based Innovation, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Thomas C Jeffries
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.,Global Centre for Land Based Innovation, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Michaela D J Blyton
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher Mitchell
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.,Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Brajesh K Singh
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.,Global Centre for Land Based Innovation, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Ben D Moore
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
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11
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Dargan JR, Moriyama M, Mella VSA, Lunney D, Crowther MS. The challenge for koala conservation on private land: koala habitat use varies with season on a fragmented rural landscape. Anim Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. R. Dargan
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
| | - M. Moriyama
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
| | - V. S. A. Mella
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
| | - D. Lunney
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
- Office of Environment and Heritage NSW PO Box 1967 Hurstville NSW 2220 Australia
| | - M. S. Crowther
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
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12
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Passive acoustics and sound recognition provide new insights on status and resilience of an iconic endangered marsupial (koala Phascolarctos cinereus) to timber harvesting. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205075. [PMID: 30379836 PMCID: PMC6209150 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Retention forestry aims to mitigate impacts of native forestry on biodiversity, but data are limited on its effectiveness for threatened species. We used acoustics to investigate the resilience of a folivorous marsupial, the koala Phascolarctos cinereus, to timber harvesting where a key mitigation practice is landscape exclusion of harvesting. We deployed acoustic recorders at 171 sites to record male bellows (~14,640 hours) for use in occupancy modelling and for comparisons of bellow rate (bellows night-1). Surveys targeted modelled medium-high quality habitat, with sites stratified by time since logging and logging intensity, including old growth as a reference. After scanning recordings with software to identify koala bellows, we found a high probability of detection (~0.45 per night), but this varied with minimum temperature and recorder type. Naïve occupancy was ~ 64% across a broad range of forests, which was at least five times more than expected based on previous surveys using alternative methods. After accounting for imperfect detection, probability of occupancy was influenced by elevation (-ve), cover of important browse trees (+ve), landscape NDVI (+ve) and extent of recent wildfire (-ve, but minor effect). Elevation was the most influential variable, though the relationship was non-linear and low occupancy was most common at tableland elevations (> 1000 m). Neither occupancy nor bellow rate were influenced by timber harvesting intensity, time since harvesting or local landscape extent of harvesting or old growth. Extrapolation of occupancy across modelled habitat indicates that the hinterland forests of north-east NSW support a widespread, though likely low density koala population that is considerably larger than previously estimated. Retention forestry has a significant role to play in mitigating harvesting impacts on biodiversity, including for forest specialists, but localised studies are needed to optimise prescriptions for koalas.
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Alavi Y, Elgar MA, Jones TM. Sex versus parthenogenesis; immune function in a facultatively parthenogenetic phasmatid (Extatosoma tiaratum). JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 100:65-70. [PMID: 28528233 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2017.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Facultative parthenogenetic species, in which females can alternate between sex and parthenogenesis, are useful models to investigate the costs and benefits of sex and parthenogenesis, an ongoing issue in biology. The necessary empirical studies comparing the outcomes of alternative reproductive modes on life history traits are rare and focus mainly on traits directly associated with reproductive fitness. Immune function determines the ability of individuals to defend themselves against injury and disease and is therefore likely to have a significant impact on fitness. Here, we used the facultatively parthenogenetic Australian phasmatid, Extatosoma tiaratum, to investigate the effect of both maternal and offspring mode of conception (sexual or parthenogenetic) on offspring immune function (haemocyte concentration, lytic activity and phenoloxidase activity). We show that when parthenogenesis persists beyond one generation, it has negative effects on immune response in terms of haemocyte concentration and lytic activity. Phenoloxidase activity positively correlates with the level of microsatellite heterozygosity. Moreover, immune response decreases across consecutive sampling weeks, suggesting there are physiological constraints with respect to mounting immune responses in close time intervals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasaman Alavi
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Mark Adrian Elgar
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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Oxidizable Phenolic Concentrations Do Not Affect Development and Survival of Paropsis Atomaria Larvae Eating Eucalyptus Foliage. J Chem Ecol 2017; 43:411-421. [PMID: 28367596 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-017-0835-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Revised: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Insect folivores can cause extensive damage to plants. However, different plant species, and even individuals within species, can differ in their susceptibility to insect attack. Polyphenols that readily oxidize have recently gained attention as potential defenses against insect folivores. We tested the hypothesis that variation in oxidizable phenolic concentrations in Eucalyptus foliage influences feeding and survival of Paropsis atomaria (Eucalyptus leaf beetle) larvae. First we demonstrated that oxidizable phenolic concentrations vary both within and between Eucalyptus species, ranging from 0 to 61 mg.g-1 DM (0 to 81% of total phenolics), in 175 samples representing 13 Eucalyptus species. Foliage from six individuals from each of ten species of Eucalyptus were then offered to batches of newly hatched P. atomaria larvae, and feeding, instar progression and mortality of the first and second instar larvae were recorded. Although feeding and survival parameters differed dramatically between individual plants, they were not influenced by the oxidizable phenolic concentration of leaves, suggesting that P. atomaria larvae may have effective mechanisms to deal with oxidizable phenolics. Larvae feeding on plants with higher nitrogen (N) concentrations had higher survival rates and reached third instar earlier, but N concentrations did not explain most of the variation in feeding and survival. The cause of variation in eucalypt herbivory by P. atomaria larvae is therefore still unknown, although oxidizable phenolics could potentially defend eucalypt foliage against other insect herbivores.
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Reckless HJ, Murray M, Crowther MS. A review of climatic change as a determinant of the viability of koala populations. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.1071/wr16163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) occupies a broad range of eastern and southern Australia, extending over tropical coastal, semiarid inland and temperate regions. In many areas koala populations are under threat, in particular from the direct and indirect effects of ongoing habitat destruction due to increased urbanisation and other anthropogenic processes. Climate change presents additional threats to the integrity of koala habitats because many species of food and non-food trees have narrow climate envelopes and are unable to adapt to altered temperatures and rainfall. Climate extremes also produce physiological stresses in koalas that may increase the likelihood of outbreaks of chlamydiosis and other diseases. Climate change–related increases in the relative content of toxic chemicals in leaves are further stresses to the koala after ingestion. In addition, populations that originated from a small number of founder individuals are at potential risk due to their relatively low genetic diversity. Strategies that maintain residual habitat fragments and promote the construction of new refugia are now being formulated. Modelling of the impact of habitat metrics on koala distribution is providing important information that can be used in the rehabilitation of koala refugia. In future these models could be augmented with metrics that describe koala homeostasis to inform local conservation strategies. These considerations are also relevant for the maintenance of other taxa in the wider ecosystem that are also at risk from habitat destruction and climate change.
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Gherlenda AN, Moore BD, Haigh AM, Johnson SN, Riegler M. Insect herbivory in a mature Eucalyptus woodland canopy depends on leaf phenology but not CO 2 enrichment. BMC Ecol 2016; 16:47. [PMID: 27760541 PMCID: PMC5072302 DOI: 10.1186/s12898-016-0102-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Climate change factors such as elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations (e[CO2]) and altered rainfall patterns can alter leaf composition and phenology. This may subsequently impact insect herbivory. In sclerophyllous forests insects have developed strategies, such as preferentially feeding on new leaf growth, to overcome physical or foliar nitrogen constraints, and this may shift under climate change. Few studies of insect herbivory at elevated [CO2] have occurred under field conditions and none on mature evergreen trees in a naturally established forest, yet estimates for leaf area loss due to herbivory are required in order to allow accurate predictions of plant productivity in future climates. Here, we assessed herbivory in the upper canopy of mature Eucalyptus tereticornis trees at the nutrient-limited Eucalyptus free-air CO2 enrichment (EucFACE) experiment during the first 19 months of CO2 enrichment. The assessment of herbivory extended over two consecutive spring—summer periods, with a first survey during four months of the [CO2] ramp-up phase after which full [CO2] operation was maintained, followed by a second survey period from months 13 to 19. Results Throughout the first 2 years of EucFACE, young, expanding leaves sustained significantly greater damage from insect herbivory (between 25 and 32 % leaf area loss) compared to old or fully expanded leaves (less than 2 % leaf area loss). This preference of insect herbivores for young expanding leaves combined with discontinuous production of new foliage, which occurred in response to rainfall, resulted in monthly variations in leaf herbivory. In contrast to the significant effects of rainfall-driven leaf phenology, elevated [CO2] had no effect on leaf consumption or preference of insect herbivores for different leaf age classes. Conclusions In the studied nutrient-limited natural Eucalyptus woodland, herbivory contributes to a significant loss of young foliage. Leaf phenology is a significant factor that determines the level of herbivory experienced in this evergreen sclerophyllous woodland system, and may therefore also influence the population dynamics of insect herbivores. Furthermore, leaf phenology appears more strongly impacted by rainfall patterns than by e[CO2]. e[CO2] responses of herbivores on mature trees may only become apparent after extensive CO2 fumigation periods. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12898-016-0102-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew N Gherlenda
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.
| | - Ben D Moore
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Anthony M Haigh
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Scott N Johnson
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Markus Riegler
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.
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Alavi Y, Elgar MA, Jones TM. Male Mating Success and the Effect of Mating History on Ejaculate Traits in a Facultatively Parthenogenic Insect (Extatosoma tiaratum). Ethology 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yasaman Alavi
- School of BioSciences; University of Melbourne; Melbourne Vic. 3010 Australia
| | - Mark A. Elgar
- School of BioSciences; University of Melbourne; Melbourne Vic. 3010 Australia
| | - Therésa M. Jones
- School of BioSciences; University of Melbourne; Melbourne Vic. 3010 Australia
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Adams-Hosking C, McBride MF, Baxter G, Burgman M, de Villiers D, Kavanagh R, Lawler I, Lunney D, Melzer A, Menkhorst P, Molsher R, Moore BD, Phalen D, Rhodes JR, Todd C, Whisson D, McAlpine CA. Use of expert knowledge to elicit population trends for the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). DIVERS DISTRIB 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christine Adams-Hosking
- School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management; Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland; Brisbane Qld 4072 Australia
| | - Marissa F. McBride
- School of Botany; The University of Melbourne; Melbourne Vic. 3010 Australia
- Department of Biosciences; University of Helsinki; Helsinki 00014 Finland
| | - Greg Baxter
- School of Geography Planning and Environmental Management; The University of Queensland, Landscape Ecology and Conservation Group; Brisbane Qld 4072 Australia
| | - Mark Burgman
- School of Botany, Environmental Science; The University of Melbourne; Melbourne Vic. 3010 Australia
| | - Deidre de Villiers
- Endeavour Veterinary Ecology; 1695 Pumicestone Rd Toorbul Qld 4510 Australia
| | - Rodney Kavanagh
- The Australian National University; Research School of Biology; Canberra 0200 Australia; Niche Environment and Heritage; PO Box 2443 North Parramatta NSW 2150 Australia
| | - Ivan Lawler
- Wildlife Heritage and Marine Division; Department of the Environment; Marine and Freshwater Species Conservation Section; Canberra ACT 2700 Australia
| | - Daniel Lunney
- Office of Environment and Heritage NSW; Hurstville NSW 2220 Australia
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Sydney; Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
| | - Alistair Melzer
- Koala Research Centre of Central Queensland; School of Medical and Applied Sciences; CQ University; Rockhampton Qld 4702 Australia
| | - Peter Menkhorst
- Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning; Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research; Heidelberg Vic. 3084 Australia
| | - Robyn Molsher
- Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources; PO Box 39 Kingscote SA 5223 Australia
| | - Ben D. Moore
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment; Western Sydney University; Locked Bag 1797 Penrith 2751 NSW Australia
| | - David Phalen
- Faculty of Veterinary Science; University of Sydney; Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
| | - Jonathan R. Rhodes
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions; The University of Queensland; Brisbane Qld 4072 Australia
| | - Charles Todd
- Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning; Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research; Heidelberg Vic. 3084 Australia
| | - Desley Whisson
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Faculty of Science Engineering & Built Environment; Deakin University; Burwood Vic. 3125 Australia
| | - Clive A. McAlpine
- Landscape Ecology and Conservation Group; School of Geography, Planning, and Environmental Management; The University of Queensland; Brisbane Qld 4072 Australia
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Tree foliar chemistry in an African savanna and its relation to life history strategies and environmental filters. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0124078. [PMID: 25993539 PMCID: PMC4438986 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2014] [Accepted: 03/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the relative importance of environment and life history strategies in determining leaf chemical traits remains a key objective of plant ecology. We assessed 20 foliar chemical properties among 12 African savanna woody plant species and their relation to environmental variables (hillslope position, precipitation, geology) and two functional traits (thorn type and seed dispersal mechanism). We found that combinations of six leaf chemical traits (lignin, hemi-cellulose, zinc, boron, magnesium, and manganese) predicted the species with 91% accuracy. Hillslope position, precipitation, and geology accounted for only 12% of the total variance in these six chemical traits. However, thorn type and seed dispersal mechanism accounted for 46% of variance in these chemical traits. The physically defended species had the highest concentrations of hemi-cellulose and boron. Species without physical defense had the highest lignin content if dispersed by vertebrates, but threefold lower lignin content if dispersed by wind. One of the most abundant woody species in southern Africa, Colophospermum mopane, was found to have the highest foliar concentrations of zinc, phosphorus, and δ(13)C, suggesting that zinc chelation may be used by this species to bind metallic toxins and increase uptake of soil phosphorus. Across all studied species, taxonomy and physical traits accounted for the majority of variability in leaf chemistry.
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20
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Foliar quality of co-occurring mallee eucalypts: balance of primary and secondary metabolites reflects past growing conditions. CHEMOECOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s00049-015-0187-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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21
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Drake JE, Aspinwall MJ, Pfautsch S, Rymer PD, Reich PB, Smith RA, Crous KY, Tissue DT, Ghannoum O, Tjoelker MG. The capacity to cope with climate warming declines from temperate to tropical latitudes in two widely distributed Eucalyptus species. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2015; 21:459-72. [PMID: 25378195 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2014] [Revised: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
As rapid climate warming creates a mismatch between forest trees and their home environment, the ability of trees to cope with warming depends on their capacity to physiologically adjust to higher temperatures. In widespread species, individual trees in cooler home climates are hypothesized to more successfully acclimate to warming than their counterparts in warmer climates that may approach thermal limits. We tested this prediction with a climate-shift experiment in widely distributed Eucalyptus tereticornis and E. grandis using provenances originating along a ~2500 km latitudinal transect (15.5-38.0°S) in eastern Australia. We grew 21 provenances in conditions approximating summer temperatures at seed origin and warmed temperatures (+3.5 °C) using a series of climate-controlled glasshouse bays. The effects of +3.5 °C warming strongly depended on home climate. Cool-origin provenances responded to warming through an increase in photosynthetic capacity and total leaf area, leading to enhanced growth of 20-60%. Warm-origin provenances, however, responded to warming through a reduction in photosynthetic capacity and total leaf area, leading to reduced growth of approximately 10%. These results suggest that there is predictable intraspecific variation in the capacity of trees to respond to warming; cool-origin taxa are likely to benefit from warming, while warm-origin taxa may be negatively affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Drake
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
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Responses of leaf beetle larvae to elevated [CO2] and temperature depend on Eucalyptus species. Oecologia 2014; 177:607-17. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-014-3182-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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23
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Jensen LM, Wallis IR, Marsh KJ, Moore BD, Wiggins NL, Foley WJ. Four species of arboreal folivore show differential tolerance to a secondary metabolite. Oecologia 2014; 176:251-8. [PMID: 24974269 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-014-2997-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2013] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The marsupials that eat Eucalyptus in south-eastern Australia provide an example of animals with similar niche requirements occurring sympatrically. They certainly differ in size, ranging from about 1 kg in the greater glider (Petauroides volans) and the closely related common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus), to 4 kg (common brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula) and up to 15 kg in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). All species, however, may eat considerable amounts of eucalypt foliage, often favouring the same species, and thus appear to compete for food. In order to better understand the degree of competition for food, we measured feeding by the greater glider in response to increasing concentrations of a specific group of eucalypt plant secondary metabolites (PSM), the sideroxylonals, and then compared it to results published for the other species. The greater glider was more resilient than the other species to increasing concentrations of sideroxylonals. We suggest this allows gliders to feed on leaves from the eucalypt subgenus, Symphyomyrtus, while its small size and gliding ability allow it to feed where koalas cannot, on the young leaves on top of the canopy. In contrast, the common ringtail possum is well adapted to feeding from species of the subgenus Eucalyptus, which do not produce sideroxylonals but contain less available nitrogen (AvailN) than do the symphyomyrtles. These 'nutritional niches' segregate the forest and along with other factors, such as generalist and specialist feeding strategies and differences in body size and requirements for shelter, presumably minimise competition between the marsupial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lora M Jensen
- Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia,
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24
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Seabrook L, McAlpine C, Rhodes J, Baxter G, Bradley A, Lunney D. Determining range edges: habitat quality, climate or climate extremes? DIVERS DISTRIB 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Seabrook
- The University of Queensland; Landscape Ecology and Conservation Group; School of Geography; Planning & Environmental Management; Brisbane Qld 4072 Australia
| | - Clive McAlpine
- The University of Queensland; Landscape Ecology and Conservation Group; School of Geography; Planning & Environmental Management; Brisbane Qld 4072 Australia
| | - Jonathan Rhodes
- The University of Queensland; Landscape Ecology and Conservation Group; School of Geography; Planning & Environmental Management; Brisbane Qld 4072 Australia
| | - Greg Baxter
- The University of Queensland; Landscape Ecology and Conservation Group; School of Geography; Planning & Environmental Management; Brisbane Qld 4072 Australia
| | - Adrian Bradley
- The University of Queensland; School of Biomedical Sciences; Brisbane Qld 4072 Australia
| | - Daniel Lunney
- Office of Environment and Heritage NSW; PO Box 1967 Hurstville NSW 2220 Australia
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25
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A faecal index of diet quality that predicts reproductive success in a marsupial folivore. Oecologia 2013; 173:203-12. [PMID: 23443356 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-013-2616-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2012] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Estimating the nutritional value of a herbivore's diet is difficult because it requires knowing what the animal eats, the relative quality of each component and how these components interact in relation to animal physiology. Current methods are cumbersome and rely on many assumptions that are hard to evaluate. We describe a new method for estimating relative diet quality directly from faeces that avoids the problems inherent in other methods. We combine this method with near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to analyse many samples and thus provide a technique with immense value in ecological studies. The method stems from the correlation between the concentrations of dietary and faecal nitrogen in herbivores eating a tannin-free diet, but a weaker relationship in browsers that ingest substantial amounts of tannins, which form complexes with proteins. These complexes reduce the availability of nitrogen and may increase faecal nitrogen concentrations. Using the tannin-binding compound, polyethylene glycol, we showed that tannin-bound nitrogen is a significant and variable part of faecal nitrogen in wild common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula). We developed a technique to measure faecal available nitrogen and found that it predicted the reproductive success of female brushtail possums in northern Australia. Faecal available nitrogen combined with NIRS provides a powerful tool for estimating the relative nutritional value of the diets of browsing herbivores in many ecological systems. It is a better indicator of diet quality than other commonly used single-nutrient measures such as faecal nitrogen and foliage analysis paired with observed feeding behaviour.
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26
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Adams-Hosking C, McAlpine C, Rhodes JR, Grantham HS, Moss PT. Modelling changes in the distribution of the critical food resources of a specialist folivore in response to climate change. DIVERS DISTRIB 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-4642.2012.00881.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Youngentob KN, Renzullo LJ, Held AA, Jia X, Lindenmayer DB, Foley WJ. Using imaging spectroscopy to estimate integrated measures of foliage nutritional quality. Methods Ecol Evol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.2041-210x.2011.00149.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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28
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Adams-Hosking C, Grantham HS, Rhodes JR, McAlpine C, Moss PT. Modelling climate-change-induced shifts in the distribution of the koala. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2011. [DOI: 10.1071/wr10156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
The impacts of climate change on the climate envelopes, and hence, distributions of species, are of ongoing concern for biodiversity worldwide. Knowing where climate refuge habitats will occur in the future is essential to conservation planning. The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is recognised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a species highly vulnerable to climate change. However, the impact of climate change on its distribution is poorly understood.
Aims
We aimed to predict the likely shifts in the climate envelope of the koala throughout its natural distribution under various climate change scenarios and identify potential future climate refugia.
Methods
To predict possible future koala climate envelopes we developed bioclimatic models using Maxent, based on a substantial database of locality records and several climate change scenarios.
Key results
The predicted current koala climate envelope was concentrated in south-east Queensland, eastern New South Wales and eastern Victoria, which generally showed congruency with their current known distribution. Under realistic projected future climate change, with the climate becoming increasingly drier and warmer, the models showed a significant progressive eastward and southward contraction in the koala’s climate envelope limit in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. The models also indicated novel potentially suitable climate habitat in Tasmania and south-western Australia.
Conclusions
Under a future hotter and drier climate, current koala distributions, based on their climate envelope, will likely contract eastwards and southwards to many regions where koala populations are declining due to additional threats of high human population densities and ongoing pressures from habitat loss, dog attacks and vehicle collisions. In arid and semi-arid regions such as the Mulgalands of south-western Queensland, climate change is likely to compound the impacts of habitat loss, resulting in significant contractions in the distribution of this species.
Implications
Climate change pressures will likely change priorities for allocating conservation efforts for many species. Conservation planning needs to identify areas that will provide climatically suitable habitat for a species in a changing climate. In the case of the koala, inland habitats are likely to become climatically unsuitable, increasing the need to protect and restore the more mesic habitats, which are under threat from urbanisation. National and regional koala conservation policies need to anticipate these changes and synergistic threats. Therefore, a proactive approach to conservation planning is necessary to protect the koala and other species that depend on eucalypt forests.
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Moore BD, Lawler IR, Wallis IR, Beale CM, Foley WJ. Palatability mapping: a koala's eye view of spatial variation in habitat quality. Ecology 2010; 91:3165-76. [PMID: 21141178 DOI: 10.1890/09-1714.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Ecologists trying to understand the value of habitat to animals must first describe the value of resources contained in the habitat to animals and, second, they must describe spatial variation in resource quality at a resolution relevant to individual animal foraging. We addressed these issues in a study of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in a Eucalyptus woodland. We measured beneficial and deterrent chemical characteristics as well as the palatability of trees using a near-infrared spectroscopic model based on direct feeding experiments. Tree use by koalas was influenced by tree size and foliar quality but was also context-dependent: trees were more likely to be visited if they were surrounded by small, unpalatable trees or by large, palatable trees. Spatial autocorrelation analysis and several mapping approaches demonstrated that foliar quality is spatially structured in the woodland at a scale relevant to foraging decisions by koalas and that the spatial structure is an important component of habitat quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben D Moore
- Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
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30
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Moles AT, Bonser SP, Poore AG, Wallis IR, Foley WJ. Assessing the evidence for latitudinal gradients in plant defence and herbivory. Funct Ecol 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2010.01814.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 290] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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31
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Andrew RL, Wallis IR, Harwood CE, Foley WJ. Genetic and environmental contributions to variation and population divergence in a broad-spectrum foliar defence of Eucalyptus tricarpa. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2010; 105:707-17. [PMID: 20228089 PMCID: PMC2859910 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcq034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Both environmental and genetic effects contribute to phenotypic variation within and among populations. Genetic differentiation of quantitative traits among populations has been shown in many species, yet it can also be accompanied by other genetic changes, such as divergence in phenotypic plasticity and in genetic variance. Sideroxylonal (a formylated phloroglucinol compound or FPC) is an important chemical defence in eucalypts. The effect of environmental variation on its production is a critical gap in our understanding of its genetics and evolution. METHODS The stability of genetic variation in sideroxylonal was assessed within and among populations of Eucalyptus tricarpa in three replicated provenance/progeny trials. The covariance structure of the data was also modelled to test whether genetic variances were consistent among populations and Fain's test was applied for major gene effects. KEY RESULTS A significant genotype x environment interaction occurred at the level of population, and was related to temperature range and seasonality in source populations. Within-population genetic variation was not affected by genotype x environment effects or different sampling years. However, within-population genetic variance for sideroxylonal concentration differed significantly among source populations. Regression of family variance on family mean suggested that this trait is subject to major gene effects, which could explain the observed differences in genetic variances among populations. CONCLUSIONS These results highlight the importance of replicated common-garden experiments for understanding the genetic basis of population differences. Genotype x environment interactions are unlikely to impede evolution or responses to artificial selection on sideroxylonal, but the lack of genetic variation in some populations may be a constraint. The results are broadly consistent with localized selection on foliar defence and illustrate that differentiation in population means, whether due to selection or to drift, can be accompanied by changes in other characteristics, such as plasticity and genetic variance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose L Andrew
- School of Botany and Zoology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
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STEINBAUER MARTINJ. Latitudinal trends in foliar oils of eucalypts: Environmental correlates and diversity of chrysomelid leaf-beetles. AUSTRAL ECOL 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9993.2009.02028.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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DeGabriel JL, Moore BD, Marsh KJ, Foley WJ. The effect of plant secondary metabolites on the interplay between the internal and external environments of marsupial folivores. CHEMOECOLOGY 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s00049-009-0037-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Rapid Assessment of the Nutritional Value of Foods Eaten by Mountain Gorillas: Applying Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy to Primatology. INT J PRIMATOL 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-009-9372-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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35
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Crowther MS, McAlpine CA, Lunney D, Shannon I, Bryant JV. Using broad-scale, community survey data to compare species conservation strategies across regions: A case study of the Koala in a set of adjacent ‘catchments’. ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-8903.2009.00465.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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DeGabriel JL, Moore BD, Foley WJ, Johnson CN. The effects of plant defensive chemistry on nutrient availability predict reproductive success in a mammal. Ecology 2009; 90:711-9. [PMID: 19341141 DOI: 10.1890/08-0940.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jane L DeGabriel
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire AB24 2TZ, UK.
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Degabriel JL, Wallis IR, Moore BD, Foley WJ. A simple, integrative assay to quantify nutritional quality of browses for herbivores. Oecologia 2008; 156:107-16. [PMID: 18288495 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-008-0960-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2007] [Accepted: 12/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jane L Degabriel
- School of Botany and Zoology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
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Andrew RL, Peakall R, Wallis IR, Foley WJ. Spatial distribution of defense chemicals and markers and the maintenance of chemical variation. Ecology 2007; 88:716-28. [PMID: 17503599 DOI: 10.1890/05-1858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Exploring the spatial distribution of variation in plant secondary metabolites is critical for understanding the evolutionary ecology of biochemical diversity in wild organisms. In the present study, concentrations of foliar sideroxylonal, an important and highly heritable defense chemical of Eucalyptus melliodora, displayed strong, fine-scale spatial autocorrelation. The spatial patterns observed could promote associational effects on herbivore foraging decisions, which may influence the selection pressures exerted on sideroxylonal content. Multiple chemical traits have roles in certain eucalypt-herbivore interactions, and the spatial characteristics of the herbivore foraging environment are therefore determined by these different factors. We used a model of E. melliodora intake by common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), based on the combined effects of two chemical traits, to explore this idea and found that the spatial patterns were different to those of sideroxylonal alone. Spatial genetic autocorrelation, examined using microsatellites, was strong and occurred at a fine scale, implying that restricted gene flow might allow genetic patches to respond to selection relatively independently. Local two-dimensional genetic autocorrelation, explored using a new heuristic method, was highly congruent with the pattern of local phenotypic variation observed for sideroxylonal, suggesting that the genetic variance underlying the sideroxylonal variation is similarly structured. Our results suggest that the spatial distribution of genetic and phenotypic variation could influence both the selective pressure imposed by herbivores on eucalypt defenses and the potential of populations to respond to natural selection. Spatial context should be considered in future studies of plant-herbivore interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose L Andrew
- School of Botany and Zoology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
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Andrew RL, Wallis IR, Harwood CE, Henson M, Foley WJ. Heritable variation in the foliar secondary metabolite sideroxylonal in Eucalyptus confers cross-resistance to herbivores. Oecologia 2007; 153:891-901. [PMID: 17593399 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-007-0784-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2006] [Accepted: 05/24/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Plants encounter a broad range of natural enemies and defend themselves in diverse ways. The cost of defense can be reduced if a plant secondary metabolite confers resistance to multiple herbivores. However, there are few examples of positively correlated defenses in plants against herbivores of different types. We present evidence that a genetically variable chemical trait that acts as a strong antifeedant to mammalian herbivores of Eucalyptus also deters insect herbivores, suggesting a possible mechanism for cross-resistance. We provide field confirmation that sideroxylonal, an important antifeedant for mammalian herbivores, also determines patterns of damage by Christmas beetles, a specialist insect herbivore of Eucalyptus. In a genetic progeny trial of Eucalyptus tricarpa, we found significant heritabilities of sideroxylonal concentration (0.60), overall insect damage (0.34), and growth traits (0.30-0.53). Population of origin also had a strong effect on each trait. Negative phenotypic correlations were observed between sideroxylonal and damage, and between damage and growth. No relationship was observed between sideroxylonal concentration and any growth trait. Our results suggest that potential for evolution by natural selection of sideroxylonal concentrations is not strongly constrained by growth costs and that both growth and defense traits can be successfully incorporated into breeding programs for plantation trees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose L Andrew
- School of Botany and Zoology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
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Moore BD, Foley WJ, Wallis IR, Cowling A, Handasyde KA. Eucalyptus foliar chemistry explains selective feeding by koalas. Biol Lett 2007; 1:64-7. [PMID: 17148129 PMCID: PMC1965198 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2004.0255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The koala is the quintessential specialist herbivore, feeding almost exclusively on Eucalyptus foliage. Consequently, the limitations imposed on the koala's diet by plant defences indicate the extent to which evolutionary adaptations allow mammalian herbivores to circumvent such defences. We tested whether a recently discovered group of plant secondary metabolites, the formylated phloroglucinol compounds (FPCs), deters koalas from feeding on some eucalypt foliage. We found that captive koalas ate less foliage in a single night from trees with high FPC concentrations. Individual trees also differ in the types of FPC they possess, but for a given eucalypt species, most FPCs were similarly effective deterrents. Two closely related and sympatric eucalypt species could be clearly separated by the amounts that koalas ate from each; however, this difference could not be explained by total FPC concentrations alone. We suggest, that in this case, the presence of a distinct type of FPC deters koala herbivory on the less palatable species, and may have facilitated the evolutionary divergence of these species. We conclude that plant defences probably play an important role in determining the distribution and abundance of koalas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben D Moore
- School of Botany and Zoology, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia.
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Henery ML, Moran GF, Wallis IR, Foley WJ. Identification of quantitative trait loci influencing foliar concentrations of terpenes and formylated phloroglucinol compounds in Eucalyptus nitens. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2007; 176:82-95. [PMID: 17696979 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2007.02159.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Leaves of eucalypt species contain a variety of plant secondary metabolites, including terpenoids and formylated phloroglucinol compounds (FPCs). Both terpene and FPC concentrations are quantitative traits that can show large variation within a population and have been shown to be heritable. The molecular genetic basis of this variation is currently unknown. Progeny from a field trial of a three-generation mapping pedigree of Eucalyptus nitens were assayed for terpenes and FPCs. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analyses were conducted using a map constructed from 296 markers to locate regions of the genome influencing foliar concentrations of these plant secondary compounds. A large number of significant QTL for 14 traits were located across nine linkage groups, with significant clustering of QTL on linkage groups 7, 8 and 9. As expected, QTL for biosynthetically related compounds commonly colocated, but QTL for unrelated monterpenes and FPCs also mapped closely together. Colocation of these QTL with mapped candidate genes from the various biosynthetic pathways, and subsequent use of these genes in association mapping, will assist in determining the causes of variation in plant secondary metabolites in eucalypts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin L Henery
- School of Botany and Zoology, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Gavin F Moran
- School of Botany and Zoology, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Ian R Wallis
- School of Botany and Zoology, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia
| | - William J Foley
- School of Botany and Zoology, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia
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Yarnes CT, Boecklen WJ, Tuominen K, Salminen JP. Defining phytochemical phenotypes: size and shape analysis of phenolic compounds in oaks (Fagaceae, Quercus) of the Chihuahuan Desert. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006. [DOI: 10.1139/b06-076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Interspecific variation in phenolic metabolism across plant species has been correlated to numerous ecological factors, yet generalities concerning the ecological role(s) of phenolics remain elusive. Moreover, studies of allometric variation (absolute and relative concentration) in phenolic metabolism are rare despite the importance of each to ecological interactions. In this study, we characterize individual phenolics in a group of 12 oak species from the Chihuahuan Desert and examine interspecific variation in the absolute and relative concentrations of phenolics using size and shape analysis. Size and shape analysis was able to successfully identify those compounds that contribute most to the interspecific allometric variation in phenolics and classify the oak species on the basis of phenolic metabolism. White versus black oak subgenera were found to be most different in their phenolic composition, where the two black oak species contained fewer and less diverse phenolics. Within the 10 white oak species, a predominantly eastern white oak, Quercus muhlenbergii Engelmann, was found to vary significantly from the more widespread white oaks of the Chihuahuan Desert. We also report the occurrence of complex tannins in oaks of North America for the first time, update proposed pathways of ellagitannin biosynthesis in oaks, and discuss the applicability of size and shape analysis to ecological studies of phenolics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T. Yarnes
- Laboratory for Ecological Chemistry, Institute for Natural Resource Analysis and Management, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, FI-20014, Turku, Finland
| | - William J. Boecklen
- Laboratory for Ecological Chemistry, Institute for Natural Resource Analysis and Management, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, FI-20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Kati Tuominen
- Laboratory for Ecological Chemistry, Institute for Natural Resource Analysis and Management, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, FI-20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Juha-Pekka Salminen
- Laboratory for Ecological Chemistry, Institute for Natural Resource Analysis and Management, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, FI-20014, Turku, Finland
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Andrew RL, Peakall R, Wallis IR, Wood JT, Knight EJ, Foley WJ. Marker-based quantitative genetics in the wild?: the heritability and genetic correlation of chemical defenses in eucalyptus. Genetics 2005; 171:1989-98. [PMID: 16143624 PMCID: PMC1456121 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.105.042952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Marker-based methods for estimating heritability and genetic correlation in the wild have attracted interest because traditional methods may be impractical or introduce bias via G x E effects, mating system variation, and sampling effects. However, they have not been widely used, especially in plants. A regression-based approach, which uses a continuous measure of genetic relatedness, promises to be particularly appropriate for use in plants with mixed-mating systems and overlapping generations. Using this method, we found significant narrow-sense heritability of foliar defense chemicals in a natural population of Eucalyptus melliodora. We also demonstrated a genetic basis for the phenotypic correlation underlying an ecological example of conditioned flavor aversion involving different biosynthetic pathways. Our results revealed that heritability estimates depend on the spatial scale of the analysis in a way that offers insight into the distribution of genetic and environmental variance. This study is the first to successfully use a marker-based method to measure quantitative genetic parameters in a tree. We suggest that this method will prove to be a useful tool in other studies and offer some recommendations for future applications of the method.
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Affiliation(s)
- R L Andrew
- School of Botany and Zoology, Australian National University, Daley Road, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
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44
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Moore BD, Foley WJ. Tree use by koalas in a chemically complex landscape. Nature 2005; 435:488-90. [PMID: 15917807 DOI: 10.1038/nature03551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2005] [Accepted: 03/15/2005] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Although defence against herbivores is often argued to be the main action of plant secondary metabolites (PSMs), very few examples have demonstrated that intraspecific variation in PSM concentrations influences foraging by wild vertebrate herbivores. Experiments with captive animals often indicate that PSM concentrations influence how much herbivores eat from individual plants, but these experiments do not replicate the subtle trade-offs in diet selection faced by wild animals, which must avoid predators and extremes of weather, interact with conspecifics, and achieve a balanced, nutritious diet, while avoiding intoxication by PSMs. We characterized the foliar chemistry of every tree from two Eucalyptus species available to a population of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) and considered rates of tree visitation over a ten-year period. We show that visitation rate was most strongly influenced by tree size, but that koalas also visited trees less frequently if the foliage contained either high concentrations of deterrent PSMs known as formylated phloroglucinol compounds, or low concentrations of nitrogen. Consequently, plant chemistry restricts the use of trees by this herbivore, and thus limits the food available to koalas and potentially influences koala populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben D Moore
- School of Botany and Zoology, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia.
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