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Published on: August 31, 2018
Reproduction and dispersal in an ant-associated root aphid community.
A B F Ivens1, D J C Kronauer, I Pen
1Theoretical Biology, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands. a.b.f.ivens@rug.nl
Root aphids studied rarely reproduce sexually, primarily reproducing asexually with limited dispersal. Ant-tending and lack of primary hosts may favor permanent parthenogenesis in these clonal organisms.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Ecology
- Entomology
Background:
- Sexual reproduction's maintenance involves understanding costs and benefits, with cyclically parthenogenetic aphids showing variable sexual reproduction frequencies.
- Most studies focus on above-ground aphids, overlooking how dispersal and ant-tending influence sex costs/benefits in subterranean species.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate reproductive modes and dispersal in subterranean root aphids.
- Determine if obligate ant-tending and host plant availability affect sexual reproduction in root aphid communities.
Main Methods:
- Assessed genetic population structure of four root aphid species (Geoica utricularia, Tetraneura ulmi, Forda marginata, Forda formicaria) in a Dutch population.
- Analyzed reproductive strategies and dispersal patterns in relation to ant symbiosis (Lasius flavus) and host plant presence.
Main Results:
- All four studied root aphid species predominantly reproduce asexually, forming multiple clonal lineages.
- High population viscosity and rarity of winged aphids indicate infrequent dispersal between ant colonies.
- Absence of primary host plants (Pistacia) may explain lack of sex in three species; elm (Ulmus) presence near the study site did not induce sex in T. ulmi.
Conclusions:
- Obligate ant-tending and host plant absence likely select for permanent parthenogenesis in these root aphids.
- Further research in Southern Europe, where primary hosts may be present, is needed to understand conditions favoring sexual reproduction in these species.
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