Predator-induced transgenerational phenotypic plasticity in the cotton aphid

Oecologia
Edward B MondorJohn F Addicott

Abstract

Transgenerational phenotypic changes, whereby offspring have an altered trait or a distinct alternate phenotype, frequently occur in response to increased maternal predation risk. The cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii (Glover), is unique, however, as offspring consist of four distinct phenotypes ("normal" light green apterae, "normal" dark green apterae, "dwarf" yellow apterae, and alatae), all with divergent life history patterns and resulting population dynamics. Here, we show that increased predation risk induces transgenerational phenotypic changes in cotton aphids. When exposed to search tracks from larval or adult convergent ladybird beetles, Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville, cotton aphids produced greater numbers of winged offspring. In a subsequent experiment, apterous and alate individuals on clean plants were found to have primarily normal and dwarf offspring, respectively. We suggest that elevated predation risk may cause phenotypic changes in aphids over multiple generations, resulting in a more precipitous decline in herbivore populations than could be explained solely by increased predation rates.

Citations

Apr 8, 2006·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Teresa E Leonardo, Edward B Mondor
Oct 7, 2011·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Francisca H I D Segers, Barbara Taborsky
Jul 20, 2010·BMC Evolutionary Biology·Emmanuelle RevardelRémy J Petit
Mar 9, 2013·PloS One·Mohsen MehrparvarWolfgang W Weisser
Jan 10, 2014·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Bridie J M AllanPhilip L Munday
May 9, 2012·Genetics Research International·Dayalan G Srinivasan, Jennifer A Brisson
Nov 14, 2014·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Matthew R WalshStephan B Munch
Nov 28, 2013·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Jacob J HermanSonia E Sultan
Dec 20, 2011·Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·Sophie VandermotenFrançois J Verheggen
Jun 15, 2010·Comptes rendus biologies·Anne Le RalecJacques J-M van Alphen
Oct 2, 2012·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·T Chaianunporn, T Hovestadt
May 3, 2014·Ecological Entomology·Swapna R PurandareJennifer A Brisson
Apr 11, 2015·Global Change Biology·Thotsapol Chaianunporn, Thomas Hovestadt
Aug 11, 2017·Scientific Reports·Mouhammad Shadi KhudrSusanne Wurst
Apr 11, 2018·Journal of Chemical Ecology·Patrick AbbotSarah P Lawson
Sep 10, 2020·Ecology Letters·Michael Culshaw-MaurerJay A Rosenheim
Oct 31, 2020·Animal Cognition·Adam L CraneGrant E Brown
Dec 17, 2009·The Journal of Experimental Biology·D H Ho, W W Burggren
May 26, 2021·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Stig W Omholt, Thomas B L Kirkwood

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.