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Copper-Induced Transgenerational Plasticity in Plant Defence Boosts Aphid Fitness
Alexandra Chávez1,2,3, Anne Schreyer1, Pauline Prüsener2,3
1Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, University of Mainz, Mainz, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany.
Transgenerational plasticity in plants, induced by copper excess, affects both plant and aphid fitness. This phenomenon influences plant defenses and herbivore growth, highlighting its role in species interactions and evolution.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Ecology
- Evolutionary biology
Background:
- Transgenerational plasticity is an emerging area in plant science.
- Its impact on plant and interacting species' fitness remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if copper excess induces transgenerational plasticity in plant defenses.
- To determine the effects of this plasticity on both plant and herbivore fitness.
- To assess the role of transgenerational plasticity in plant-herbivore interactions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized monoclonal strains of giant duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza) and waterlily aphid (Rhopalosiphum nymphaeae).
- Plants were pre-treated with copper excess under both indoor and outdoor conditions.
- Assessed changes in plant growth, defense compounds (anthocyanins, 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid - OPDA), and aphid performance.
Main Results:
- Copper pre-treatment induced transgenerational retention of anthocyanins, aiding copper tolerance.
- Transgenerational increases in OPDA levels were observed.
- Aphid growth improved by up to 50% on copper-pre-treated plants, linked to elevated OPDA.
Conclusions:
- Transgenerational plasticity significantly impacts the fitness of both plants and their herbivores.
- This study underscores the importance of transgenerational plasticity in shaping plant evolution and interspecies dynamics.
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