Potential contribution of natural enemies to patterns of local adaptation in plants.
Genetic differentiation among plant populations and adaptation to local environmental conditions are well documented. However, few studies have examined the potential contribution of plant antagonists, such as insect herbivores and pathogens, to the pattern of local adaptation. Here, a reciprocal transplant experiment was set up at three sites across Europe using two common plant species, Holcus lanatus and Plantago lanceolata. The amount of damage by the main above-ground plant antagonists was measured: a rust fungus infecting Holcus and a specialist beetle feeding on Plantago, both in low-density monoculture plots and in competition with interspecific neighbours. Strong genetic differentiation among provenances in the amount of damage by antagonists in both species was found. Local provenances of Holcus had significantly higher amounts of rust infection than foreign provenances, whereas local provenances of Plantago were significantly less damaged by the specialist beetle than the foreign provenances. The presence of surrounding vegetation affected the amount of damage but had little influence on the ranking of plant provenances. The opposite pattern of population differentiation in resistance to local antagonists in the two species suggests that it will be difficult to predict the consequences of plant translocations for interactions with organisms of higher trophic levels.
Crémieux
Lisèle
L
University of Fribourg, Department of Biology, Unit of Ecology and Evolution, Chemin du musée 10, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
Bischoff
Armin
A
University of Fribourg, Department of Biology, Unit of Ecology and Evolution, Chemin du musée 10, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
Šmilauerová
Majka
M
University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, Department of Botany, Branišovská 31 CZ-37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
Lawson
Clare S
CS
University of Reading, Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, Earley Gate, PO Box 237, Reading RG6 6AR, UK.
Mortimer
Simon R
SR
University of Reading, Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, Earley Gate, PO Box 237, Reading RG6 6AR, UK.
Doležal
Jiří
J
University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, Department of Botany, Branišovská 31 CZ-37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
Lanta
Vojtěch
V
Institute of Botany CAS CZ, Dukelská 135, 379 01 Třeboň, Czech Republic.
Edwards
Andrew R
AR
University of Reading, Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, Earley Gate, PO Box 237, Reading RG6 6AR, UK.
Brook
Alex J
AJ
University of Reading, Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, Earley Gate, PO Box 237, Reading RG6 6AR, UK.
Tscheulin
Thomas
T
Laboratory of Biogeography and Ecology, University of the Aegean, Department of Geography, University Hill, GR-81100 Mytilene, Greece.
Macel
Mirka
M
Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), PO Box 40, 6666 ZG Heteren, the Netherlands.
Lepš
Jan
J
University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, Department of Botany, Branišovská 31 CZ-37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
Müller-Schärer
Heinz
H
University of Fribourg, Department of Biology, Unit of Ecology and Evolution, Chemin du musée 10, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
Steinger
Thomas
T
University of Fribourg, Department of Biology, Unit of Ecology and Evolution, Chemin du musée 10, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D001487:Basidiomycota; D001517:Coleoptera; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D014644:Genetic Variation; D031752:Holcus / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000382:microbiology; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D010943:Plantago / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000382:microbiology