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Trans- and Within-Generational Developmental Plasticity May Benefit the Prey but Not Its Predator during Heat Waves
Andreas Walzer1, Gösta Nachman2, Bernhard Spangl3
1University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Crop Sciences, Institute of Plant Protection, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria.
Biology
|August 26, 2022
Summary
Organisms can adjust to heat waves through developmental plasticity, but responses vary by species. This study examined how heat waves affect predator and prey development, revealing species-specific plastic modifications.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Developmental plasticity allows organisms to adapt to environmental changes.
- Heat waves present significant challenges to species survival and reproduction.
- Understanding species-specific responses to heat waves is crucial for predicting ecological impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate within-generational plasticity (WGP) and trans-generational plasticity (TGP) in response to heat waves.
- To assess plastic developmental modifications in the predator *Phytoseiulus persimilis* and prey *Tetranychus urticae*.
- To compare species-specific adaptations to thermal stress during development.
Main Methods:
- Exposed offspring of both species to mild or extreme heat waves based on parental thermal origin.
- Recorded food consumption, age at maturity, and size at maturity.
- Analyzed the influence of WGP, TGP, and non-plastic trans-generational effects (TGE) on offspring traits.
Main Results:
- Both species accelerated development under extreme heat waves (WGP).
- Increased food consumption observed, influenced by WGP, TGP, and TGE.
- Predator females decreased in size, while prey size was unaffected by origin due to opposing plastic effects.
- Predator male size remained insensitive to heat wave conditions.
Conclusions:
- Heat waves induce significant plastic developmental modifications in predator-prey systems.
- Species-specific responses, including altered predator-prey size ratios, were observed.
- Further research is needed to determine the impact of these modifications on predator-prey interactions and suppression success.
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