And the beak shall inherit - evolution in response to invasion
Scott P Carroll1,2, Jenella E Loye1,2, Hugh Dingle1,2
1Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Ecology Letters
|September 14, 2021
Summary
Native Australian soapberry bugs rapidly evolved longer mouthparts to feed on invasive balloon vines. This adaptation, driven by the weed
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Invasive Species Management
Background:
- Biological invasions can be facilitated by the escape of exotic species from their natural enemies.
- Native species may adapt to exploit newly introduced invasive species, potentially aiding in biological control.
Discussion:
- This study investigates the rapid co-evolution between a native insect and an invasive plant in Australia.
- The invasive balloon vine (Cardiospermum grandiflorum) from tropical America has become a significant environmental weed.
- A native Australian seed-feeding bug (Austrocerus species) has adapted to feed on this invasive vine.
Key Insights:
- Over 30-40 years, soapberry bugs evolved 5-10% longer mouthparts, a trait genetically based, enabling better exploitation of balloon vine seeds.
- This adaptation has nearly doubled the rate at which native bugs attack the invasive vine's seeds.
- The rapid evolution in native taxa demonstrates a dynamic ecological response to biological invasions.
Outlook:
- Understanding such rapid evolutionary responses in native biota is crucial for predicting the long-term impact of invasive species.
- This co-evolutionary dynamic suggests a potential pathway for biological control of invasive plants through native predator adaptation.
- Further research can explore the genetic mechanisms and broader ecological consequences of this ongoing evolutionary arms race.
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