Large-scale diversification without genetic isolation in nematode symbionts of figs

Susoy, Vladislav; Herrmann, M.; Kanzaki, Natsumi; Kruger, M.; Nguyen, Chau N.; Rödelsperger, Christian; Röseler, Waltraud; Weiler, Christian; Giblin-Davis, Robin M.; Ragsdale, Erik J.; Sommer, Ralf J.

doi:10.1126/sciadv.1501031

Cited by 85 publications

(109 citation statements)

References 50 publications

(52 reference statements)

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“…However, Parasitodiplogaster species have been reported to develop inside wasps and use the syconia as repositories for the dauer (dispersal stage of nematodes) juveniles (Poinar & Herre, 1991;Herre, 1996;Van Goor et al, 2018), meaning that their presence can influence the longevity of pollinating wasp, host location, and pollination efficiency, and indirectly seed production in fig trees. The biology and impact of nematodes on the fig-fig wasp mutualism remains under studied, with most studies focusing on the taxonomy, diversity, and phylogeny of nematodes (Zeng et al, 2011;Davies et al, 2015;Susoy et al, 2016;Sun et al, 2017). Figs, fig wasps, and their parasitic nematodes provide a comparative system for assessing the influence of third parties on mutualism persistence and the cost of parasitism Dunn et al, 2008a;Van Goor et al, 2018;Wang et al, 2019b).…”

Section: Fig Treesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are nematodes costly to fig tree–fig wasp mutualists?

Shi

Miao

Segar

et al. 2019

Entomologia Exp Applicata

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Most mutualisms are exploited by parasites, which must strike an evolutionary balance between virulence and long‐term persistence. Fig‐associated nematodes, living inside figs and dispersed by fig wasps, are thought to be exploiters of the fig–fig wasp mutualism. The life history of nematodes is synchronized with the fig development and adapted to particular developmental characteristics of figs. We expect host breeding systems (monoecious vs. gynodioecious figs) and seasonality to be central to this adaptation. However, the details of the adaptation are largely unknown. Here, we conducted the first field surveys on the prevalence of nematodes from monoecious Ficus microcarpa L.f. (Moraceae), gynodioecious Ficus hispida L.f., and their pollinating fig wasps in two seasons and two developmental stages of figs in Xishuangbanna, China. We followed this up by quantifying the effects of nematodes on fitness‐related traits on fig wasps (e.g., egg loads, pollen grains, and longevity) and fig trees (seed production) in gynodioecious F. hispida. The magnitude of nematode infection was compared between pre‐ and post‐dispersal pollinators to quantify the probability of nematodes being transported to new hosts. Our results showed that Ficophagus microcarpus (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) was the only nematode in F. microcarpa. In F. hispida, Martininema guangzhouensis (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) was the dominant nematode species, whereas Ficophagus centerae was rare. For both species of Ficus, rainy season and inter‐floral figs had higher rates of nematode infection than the dry‐hot season and receptive figs. Nematodes did not affect the number of pollen grains or egg loads of female wasps. We did not detect a correlation between seed production and nematode infection. However, carrying nematodes reduced the lifespan and dispersal ability of pollinator wasps, indicating higher rates of post‐emergence mortality in infected fig wasps. Severely infected fig wasps were likely ‘filtered out’, preventing the overexploitation of figs by wasps and stabilizing the interaction over evolutionary time.

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Section: Fig Treesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are nematodes costly to fig tree–fig wasp mutualists?

Shi

Miao

Segar

et al. 2019

Entomologia Exp Applicata

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“…Particularly, Teratodiplogaster and Parasitodiplogaster were shown to co‐evolve with a large number of figs and fig wasp species (Kanzaki et al ., ). More recently, the complexity of nematodes associated with figs and fig wasp has been extended as members of two other diplogastrid nematode genera, Pristionchus and Acrostichus , were found to also co‐evolve in the fig ecosystem (Susoy et al ., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Succession and dynamics of Pristionchus nematodes and their microbiome during decomposition of Oryctes borbonicus on La Réunion Island

Meyer

Baskaran

Quast

et al. 2017

Environmental Microbiology

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Insects and nematodes represent the most species-rich animal taxa and they occur together in a variety of associations. Necromenic nematodes of the genus Pristionchus are found on scarab beetles with more than 30 species known from worldwide samplings. However, little is known about the dynamics and succession of nematodes and bacteria during the decomposition of beetle carcasses. Here, we study nematode and bacterial succession of the decomposing rhinoceros beetle Oryctes borbonicus on La Réunion Island. We show that Pristionchus pacificus exits the arrested dauer stage seven days after the beetles´ deaths. Surprisingly, new dauers are seen after 11 days, suggesting that some worms return to the dauer stage after one reproductive cycle. We used high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes of decaying beetles, beetle guts and nematodes to study bacterial communities in comparison to soil. We find that soil environments have the most diverse bacterial communities. The bacterial community of living and decaying beetles are more stable but one single bacterial family dominates the microbiome of decaying beetles. In contrast, the microbiome of nematodes is relatively similar even across different families. This study represents the first characterization of the dynamics of nematode-bacterial interactions during the decomposition of insects.

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“…Recent work with a fig colonizing clade of Pristionchus shows just how important stomatal polyphenism is for calling 'Dibs!' in the highly isolated niches of figs in the genus Ficus, section Sycomorus (Susoy et al, 2016). In this case, developmental plasticity manifests in up to five discrete mouth morphologies per Pristionchus species for a developmental 'Swiss army knife' approach to niche colonization.…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Thus, it appears that Pristionchus calls ‘Dibs!’ and backs it up with the option of being a predator in mixed nematode infestations when other nematodes like the rhabditid Oscheius are present. Recent work with a fig colonizing clade of Pristionchus shows just how important stomatal polyphenism is for calling ‘Dibs!’ in the highly isolated niches of figs in the genus Ficus , section Sycomorus (Susoy et al ., ). In this case, developmental plasticity manifests in up to five discrete mouth morphologies per Pristionchus species for a developmental ‘Swiss army knife’ approach to niche colonization.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%