Genotype-by-genotype interactions modified by a third species in a plant-insect system.
Community genetics examines how genotypic variation within a species influences the associated ecological community. The inclusion of additional environmental and genotypic factors is a natural extension of the current community genetics framework. However, the extent to which the presence of and genetic variation in associated species influences interspecific interactions (i.e., genotype x genotype x environment [G x G x E] interactions) has been largely ignored. We used a community genetics approach to study the interaction of barley and aphids in the absence and presence of rhizosphere bacteria. We designed a matrix of aphid genotype and barley genotype combinations and found a significant G x G x E interaction, indicating that the barley-aphid interaction is dependent on the genotypes of the interacting species as well as the biotic environment. We discuss the consequences of the strong G x G x E interaction found in our study in relation to its impact on the study of species interactions in a community context.
Tétard-Jones
Catherine
C
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom. catherine.tetard-jones@manchester.ac.uk
Kertesz
Michael A
MA
Gallois
Patrick
P
Preziosi
Richard F
RF
D000818:Animals; D001042:Aphids / Q000502:physiology*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D001467:Hordeum / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology*; D010641:Phenotype; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000502:physiology*; D027343:Rhizome / Q000382:microbiology*