Projects per year
Abstract
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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 516-525 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Ecology Letters |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 6 |
Early online date | 13 Apr 2015 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2015 |
Keywords
- Comparative biology
- Ecology
- Evolution
- Host
- Life history
- Mutualism
- Phylogenetics
- Symbiont
Profiles
Projects
- 1 Finished
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Aphid secondary symbionts: a eukaryote horizontal gene pool
Ferrari, J. (Principal investigator)
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
1/11/09 → 31/10/12
Project: Research project (funded) › Research