Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Symbiosis00:58

Symbiosis

Symbiotic relationships are long-term, close interactions between individuals of different species that affect the distribution and abundance of those species. When a relationship is beneficial to both species, this is called mutualism. When the relationship is beneficial to one species but neither beneficial nor harmful to the other species, this is called commensalism. When one organism is harmed to benefit another, the relationship is known as parasitism. These types of relationships often...
Microbial Interactions: Cooperation01:26

Microbial Interactions: Cooperation

Microbial cooperation involves beneficial interactions in which different species work together for individual or mutual advantage. These interactions can profoundly influence ecological dynamics and evolutionary processes, and they are essential to many pathogenic and symbiotic relationships.Nematode–Bacteria CooperationA striking example is the relationship between the Gram-negative bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila and the parasitic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae. Juvenile nematodes...
Microbial Interactions: Mutualism01:25

Microbial Interactions: Mutualism

Mutualism is a symbiotic interaction in which all participating organisms benefit. These relationships can be obligate or facultative and are fundamental to ecosystem functions across diverse biological systems.Plant–Fungi MutualismOne well-known example is the association between plant roots and mycorrhizal fungi, such as Rhizophagus species. The fungal hyphae penetrate the root hairs and the epidermis, forming an extensive hyphal network that establishes a symbiotic association. Through this...
Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores02:40

Epiphytes, 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...
Microbial Interactions: Predation01:28

Microbial Interactions: Predation

Microbial predation refers to the process by which one microorganism kills and consumes another to obtain nutrients and energy. It encompasses both bacterial and protozoan predators. This interaction plays a crucial role in shaping microbial communities and regulating nutrient cycling.Bacterial Predators: Epibiotic vs. EndobioticBacterial predators are classified based on their mode of attack as either epibiotic or endobiotic. Epibiotic predators, such as Vampirococcus, attach to the surface of...
Predator-Prey Interactions02:39

Predator-Prey Interactions

Predators consume prey for energy. Predators that acquire prey and prey that avoid predation both increase their chances of survival and reproduction (i.e., fitness). Routine predator-prey interactions elicit mutual adaptations that improve predator offenses, such as claws, teeth, and speed, as well as prey defenses, including crypsis, aposematism, and mimicry. Thus, predator-prey interactions resemble an evolutionary arms race.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Global decline in pollination limitation of pollinator-dependent crops.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same author

Decoupled Climatic Drivers of Tree and Ground-Layer Carbon Uptake in Mountain Ecosystems Around the World.

Global change biology·2026
Same author

The conventional-to-organic yield gap diminishes with increasing crop pollinator dependence.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026
Same author

A Dominant Plant Species and Insects Independently and Interactively Shape Plant Community Structure and Ecosystem Function Above- and Below-Ground.

Ecology and evolution·2025
Same author

The Bug-Network (BugNet): A Global Experimental Network Testing the Effects of Invertebrate Herbivores and Fungal Pathogens on Plant Communities and Ecosystem Function in Open Ecosystems.

Ecology and evolution·2025
Same author

A global database of soil microbial phospholipid fatty acids and enzyme activities.

Scientific data·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Experimental Protocol for Manipulating Plant-induced Soil Heterogeneity
08:16

Experimental Protocol for Manipulating Plant-induced Soil Heterogeneity

Published on: March 13, 2014

Node-by-node disassembly of a mutualistic interaction web driven by species introductions.

Mariano A Rodriguez-Cabal1, M Noelia Barrios-Garcia, Guillermo C Amico

  • 1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|September 27, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Species loss can trigger cascading extinctions by disrupting ecological interactions. In Patagonia, the removal of a single host species led to the loss of a keystone mistletoe and its associated pollinators and seed dispersers.

Keywords:
biological invasionscommunity disassemblyherbivorypollinationseed dispersal

More Related Videos

Investigation of Plant Interactions Across Common Mycorrhizal Networks Using Rotated Cores
09:17

Investigation of Plant Interactions Across Common Mycorrhizal Networks Using Rotated Cores

Published on: March 26, 2019

Divergence of Root Microbiota in Different Habitats based on Weighted Correlation Networks
09:49

Divergence of Root Microbiota in Different Habitats based on Weighted Correlation Networks

Published on: September 25, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 7, 2026

Experimental Protocol for Manipulating Plant-induced Soil Heterogeneity
08:16

Experimental Protocol for Manipulating Plant-induced Soil Heterogeneity

Published on: March 13, 2014

Investigation of Plant Interactions Across Common Mycorrhizal Networks Using Rotated Cores
09:17

Investigation of Plant Interactions Across Common Mycorrhizal Networks Using Rotated Cores

Published on: March 26, 2019

Divergence of Root Microbiota in Different Habitats based on Weighted Correlation Networks
09:49

Divergence of Root Microbiota in Different Habitats based on Weighted Correlation Networks

Published on: September 25, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Community Ecology
  • Conservation Biology

Background:

  • Interaction webs illustrate species interactions within communities.
  • Species loss can destabilize entire interaction webs, but nontrophic effects are poorly understood.
  • Invasive species provide opportunities to study the impacts of species loss.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of exotic species invasions on interaction web disassembly in Patagonia, Argentina.
  • To understand the indirect effects of species reduction on ecological networks.

Main Methods:

  • Studied ongoing invasions by exotic species in Patagonia.
  • Assessed the consequences of the reduction of a specific host species on its associated interaction web.
  • Documented the loss of a keystone mistletoe, seed dispersers (marsupial, bird), and a pollinator (hummingbird).

Main Results:

  • The reduction of a single host species initiated a cascade of indirect effects.
  • This cascade led to the loss of a keystone mistletoe, crucial seed-dispersing species, and a pollinator.
  • Demonstrated significant interaction web disassembly driven by the loss of one species.

Conclusions:

  • Species gains and losses are key drivers and consequences of global change.
  • Disruption of mutualisms due to species loss can result in cascading coextinctions.
  • Highlights underappreciated indirect effects of species loss on ecological communities.