Insect life history and the evolution of bacterial mutualism

TY - JOUR

T1 - Insect life history and the evolution of bacterial mutualism

AU - Henry, Lee M.

AU - Maiden, Martin C J

AU - Ferrari, Julia

AU - Godfray, H. Charles J

PY - 2015/6

Y1 - 2015/6

N2 - Bacterial symbiosis has played a fundamental role in the evolution of eukaryotes. However, we still know little about how cooperative relationships with bacteria originate, and why they form in some host species but not others. Facultative symbionts that are beneficial, but not essential, provide unique insights into these processes. We use data from over a hundred aphid species to test if host life history is associated with the presence of facultative symbionts. We find that aphid species that have mutualistic associations with ants that protect them from natural enemies are less likely to carry symbionts that provide similar benefits. We also find one symbiont species occurs more frequently in unrelated aphid species that specialise on certain plant genera. In addition, aphid species that attack multiple plants often carry different symbiont complements. Our findings provide evidence of the ecological conditions that facilitate stable, mutually beneficial relationships between microbes and eukaryotic hosts.

AB - Bacterial symbiosis has played a fundamental role in the evolution of eukaryotes. However, we still know little about how cooperative relationships with bacteria originate, and why they form in some host species but not others. Facultative symbionts that are beneficial, but not essential, provide unique insights into these processes. We use data from over a hundred aphid species to test if host life history is associated with the presence of facultative symbionts. We find that aphid species that have mutualistic associations with ants that protect them from natural enemies are less likely to carry symbionts that provide similar benefits. We also find one symbiont species occurs more frequently in unrelated aphid species that specialise on certain plant genera. In addition, aphid species that attack multiple plants often carry different symbiont complements. Our findings provide evidence of the ecological conditions that facilitate stable, mutually beneficial relationships between microbes and eukaryotic hosts.

KW - Comparative biology

KW - Ecology

KW - Evolution

KW - Host

KW - Life history

KW - Mutualism

KW - Phylogenetics

KW - Symbiont

U2 - 10.1111/ele.12425

DO - 10.1111/ele.12425

M3 - Article

SN - 1461-023X

VL - 18

SP - 516

EP - 525

JO - Ecology Letters

JF - Ecology Letters

IS - 6

ER -