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Related Experiment Video

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Anaerobic Growth and Maintenance of Mammalian Cell Lines

Anaerobic Growth and Maintenance of Mammalian Cell Lines

Published on: July 21, 2018

Does the Slow-Growth, High-Mortality Hypothesis Apply Below Ground?

James E Hourston¹, Alison E Bennett², Scott N Johnson^2,3

¹School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, TW20 0EX, England.

|August 30, 2016

Summary

This study introduces a belowground tri-trophic system to test the slow growth, high mortality hypothesis. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) showed varied effectiveness against the black vine weevil, with some nematode species exhibiting sub-lethal effects not covered by the hypothesis.

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Area of Science:

Ecology
Entomology
Plant Science

Background:

Belowground ecological interactions are understudied, limiting testing of general theories.
The slow growth, high mortality hypothesis is primarily tested in aboveground systems.
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are natural enemies used for biological pest control.

Purpose of the Study:

To test the slow growth, high mortality hypothesis in a belowground tri-trophic system.
To investigate the influence of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) cultivars on black vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) larval performance.
To evaluate the efficacy of different EPNs against O. sulcatus.

Main Methods:

Utilized a belowground tri-trophic system involving Rubus idaeus cultivars, Otiorhynchus sulcatus larvae, and EPNs (Heterorhabditis megidis, Steinernema kraussei).
Assessed O. sulcatus larval growth and mortality on different R. idaeus cultivars (Glen Rosa and Glen Ample).
Compared the effectiveness of H. megidis and S. kraussei in controlling O. sulcatus.

Main Results:

O. sulcatus larvae exhibited slower growth and higher mortality on the Glen Rosa cultivar compared to Glen Ample.
Heterorhabditis megidis was less effective than Steinernema kraussei against O. sulcatus.
S. kraussei maintained high O. sulcatus mortality irrespective of cultivar, suggesting direct sub-lethal effects on larval mass.

Conclusions:

The study provides novel data for a belowground system to test ecological hypotheses.
Observed sub-lethal effects of S. kraussei on O. sulcatus larvae indicate limitations of the slow growth, high mortality hypothesis in belowground contexts.
Further research is needed to understand the origins and implications of EPN-induced sub-lethal effects in belowground food webs.