The Effect of Plant Inbreeding and Stoichiometry on Interactions with Herbivores
Author Information
Author(s): Ridley Caroline E., Hangelbroek Helen H., Wagenius Stuart, Stanton-Geddes John, Shaw Ruth G.
Primary Institution: University of Minnesota
Hypothesis
How does plant inbreeding and elemental composition affect interactions with herbivores?
Conclusion
Fragmentation and inbreeding can increase Echinacea's susceptibility to herbivory by its specialist aphid.
Supporting Evidence
- Progeny from inbred plants were more likely to harbor aphids than those from random pairings.
- Aphid loads were inversely related to foliar phosphorus concentration.
- Ant abundance tracked aphid abundance but was not directly related to plant traits.
Takeaway
Plants that are closely related to each other are more likely to get eaten by bugs than those that are not related.
Methodology
The study involved growing plant progeny from different mating types and measuring their interactions with aphids and ants over multiple seasons.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the specific environmental conditions of the study site.
Limitations
The study was conducted in a single location and may not generalize to other environments.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on Echinacea angustifolia, a perennial plant native to North American prairies.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.02
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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