The arthropod associates of 155 North American cynipid oak galls

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 27, 2022

Abstract The identities of most arthropod associates cynipid-induced oak galls in the western Palearctic are generally known. However, a comprehensive accounting has been performed for only small number induced by estimated 700 species cynipid gall wasp Nearctic. This gap knowledge stymies many potential studies diversity, coevolution, and community ecology, which systems otherwise ideal models. We report rearing records insects other arthropods from more than 527,306 individual representing 201 different types collected 32 tree North America. Of collected, 155 produced one or animals. A total 151,075 animals were found association with these types, 61,044 (40.4%) wasps while 90,031 (59.6%) arthropods. identified all to superfamily, family, or, where possible, genus. provide raw numbers summaries collections, alongside notes on natural history, previously published associations each taxon. For eight common gall-associated genera ( Synergus , Ceroptres Euceroptres Ormyrus Torymus Eurytoma Sycophila Euderus ), we also connect phylogeny, geography, ecology - including host location (host organ), their co-occurrence insect genera. Though diversity large size communities is such that Nearctic still remain undescribed, this collection identification effort should facilitate testing new varied ecological evolutionary hypotheses galls.

Language: Английский

Delimiting the cryptic diversity and host preferences of Sycophila parasitoid wasps associated with oak galls using phylogenomic data

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 23, 2022

Abstract Cryptic species diversity is a major challenge for the species-rich community of parasitoids attacking oak gall wasps due to high degree sexual dimorphism, morphological plasticity, small size, and poorly known biology. As such, we know very little about number present, nor evolutionary forces responsible generating this diversity. One hypothesis that trait in wasps, including morphology galls they induce, has evolved response selection imposed by parasitoid community, with reciprocal driving diversification parasitoids. Using rare, continental-scale data set Sycophila reared from 44 cynipid 18 across US, combined mitochondrial DNA barcodes, Ultraconserved Elements (UCEs), morphological, natural history delimit putative species. these results, generate first large-scale assessment ecological specialization host association group, implications ecology biocontrol. We find most target specific subsets available similar morphologies, generally attack larger galls. Our results suggest such as have adaptations allowing them exploit particular combinations, while hosts contrasting traits are resistant attack. These findings support tritrophic niche concept structuring plant-herbivore-parasitoid communities.

Language: Английский

Host-enemy interactions provide limited biotic resistance for a range-expanding species via reduced apparent competition

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 2, 2022

Abstract As species ranges shift in response to anthropogenic change, they lose coevolved or coadapted interactions and gain novel ones recipient communities. Range-expanding may experience weak antagonistic with competitors enemies, traits of interacting will determine the strength interactions. We leveraged a poleward range expansion an oak gall wasp that co-occurs on its host plant other interacts shared natural enemies (largely parasitoid wasps). created quantitative host-parasitoid interaction networks by sampling galls 400 trees. compared network structure function hosts parasitoids native expanded range. Interaction were less diverse range, low complementarity assemblages among hosts. While whole more generalized range-expanding specialized. This was not due loss specialist but apparent competition generalist enemies. Phenological divergence enemy attacking co-occurring greater contribute competition. Given rate extent anthropogenic-driven expansions, it is pressing uncover how complex biotic are reassembled.

Language: Английский