Reversal of mutualism in a leafflower-leafflower moth association: the possible driving role of a third-party partner

HANDLE オープンアクセス

この論文をさがす

抄録

A major goal in the study of mutualism is to understand how co-operation is maintained when mutualism may potentially turn into parasitism. Although certain mechanisms facilitate the persistence of mutualism, parasitic species have repeatedly evolved from mutualistic ancestors. However, documented examples of mutualism reversals are still rare. Leafflowers (Phyllantheae; Phyllanthaceae) include approximately 500 species that engage in obligate mutualism with leafflower moths (Epicephala; Gracillariidae), which actively pollinate flowers, and whose larvae feed on the resulting seeds. We found that the Taiwanese population of the Phyllanthus reticulatus species complex was associated with six sympatric Epicephala species, of which three were derived parasites that induced gall formation on flowers/buds and produced no seeds. Notably, two parasitic species have retained mutualistic pollination behaviour, suggesting that the parasitism was likely not selected for to reduce the cost of mutualism. We propose that the galling habit evolved as an adaptation to escape parasitism by a specialized braconid wasp. The tough gall produced by one species was almost free of braconid parasitism, and the swollen gall induced by the other species probably prevents attack as a result of the larger airspace inside the gall. Our findings suggest that the presence of a third-party partner can greatly influence the evolutionary fate of mutualisms, regardless of whether the pairwise interaction continues to favour co-operation.

Article first published online: 7 AUG 2015

収録刊行物

キーワード

詳細情報 詳細情報について

  • CRID
    1050564285775016320
  • NII論文ID
    120005705950
  • NII書誌ID
    AA00565321
  • ISSN
    00244066
  • HANDLE
    2433/204607
  • 本文言語コード
    en
  • 資料種別
    journal article
  • データソース種別
    • IRDB
    • CiNii Articles

問題の指摘

ページトップへ