Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
11:35
Establishment of a Chilli Thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood) Rearing System for Virulence Screening of Entomopathogenic Fungi
Published on: July 18, 2025
Parallel diversification of Australian gall-thrips on Acacia
M J McLeish1, B J Crespi, T W Chapman
1South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7, Claremont, Cape Town, South Africa. mcleish@sanbi.org
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
|May 1, 2007
Summary
Australian gall-thrips (Kladothrips) on Acacia plants show parallel diversification, suggesting co-speciation and limited host-shifting drove their evolution. Phenotypic diversity arose from rare shifts to new Acacia species.
Area of Science:
- Insect evolutionary biology
- Plant-insect interactions
- Phylogenetics and co-evolution
Background:
- Gall-inducing thrips (Kladothrips) on Australian Acacia exhibit parallel radiation patterns.
- Two sister-clades of Kladothrips utilize a similar set of closely related Acacia host plants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the phylogenetic concordance between two Kladothrips sister-clades.
- To investigate the role of cospeciation and host-shifting in their parallel diversification.
- To understand the drivers of phenotypic diversity in gall-thrips.
Main Methods:
- Molecular phylogenetic analysis of two gall-thrips clades.
- Comparison of insect phylogenies to assess concordance.
- Integration of host plant phylogeny and taxonomic data.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant phylogenetic similarity was found between the two Kladothrips clades.
- Phylogenetic patterns support host-plant tracking and limited host-shifting.
- Rare shifts to divergent Acacia hosts led to significant phenotypic divergence (morphology, life history, behavior).
Conclusions:
- Gall-thrips on Australian Acacia have diversified in parallel, driven by cospeciation and/or restricted host-shifting.
- Novel phenotypic diversity is linked to infrequent shifts to divergent host plants.
- This system serves as a model for understanding insect-plant co-evolution and diversification.
Related Concept Videos
02:40Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores
Plants often form mutualistic relationships with soil-dwelling fungi or bacteria to enhance their roots’ nutrient uptake ability. Root-colonizing fungi (e.g., mycorrhizae) increase a plant’s root surface area, which promotes nutrient absorption. While root-colonizing, nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., rhizobia) convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), making nitrogen available to plants for various biological functions. For example, nitrogen is essential for the biosynthesis of the...
01:27Diversity of Protists II
Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...