Testing for mycorrhizal fungi-plant-ant indirect effects

Laird, Robert A.; Addicott, John F.

doi:10.1080/17429140802484049

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 35 publications

(62 reference statements)

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“…For example, arbuscular mycorrhizae can cause a reduction in Vicia faba extrafloral nectaries, which is predicted to decrease plant protection by ants (Laird and Addicott, 2007). In another study, mycorrhizae increased nectary number, but this did not translate into an increase in protective ants (Laird and Addicott, 2009). Another beneficial insect interaction is pollination mutualists.…”

Section: Microbial Alteration Of Biotic Interactions and Plant Communmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbially Mediated Plant Functional Traits

Friesen

Porter

Stark

et al. 2011

Annu. Rev. Ecol. Evol. Syst.

452

178

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Plants are rife with bacteria and fungi that colonize roots and shoots both externally and internally. By providing novel nutritional and defense pathways and influencing plant biochemical pathways, microbes can fundamentally alter plant phenotypes. Here we review the widespread nature of microbially mediated plant functional traits. We highlight that there is likely fitness conflict between hosts and symbionts and that fitness outcomes can depend on partner genotypes and ecological factors. Microbes may influence ecosystems through their effects on the functional trait values and population dynamics of their plant hosts. These effects may feed back on symbiont evolution by altering transmission rates of symbionts and scale up to ecosystem processes and services. We end by proposing new avenues of research in this emerging field.

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Section: Microbial Alteration Of Biotic Interactions and Plant Communmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbially Mediated Plant Functional Traits

Friesen

Porter

Stark

et al. 2011

Annu. Rev. Ecol. Evol. Syst.

452

178

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“…While several studies have addressed the potential multitrophic effects of mycorrhizal fungi (e.g. Gange et al, 2003;Laird & Addicott, 2009;Schausberger et al, 2012;Moon et al, 2013), foliar endophytes may present different ecological dynamics because of their potential to interact directly with aboveground herbivores and their natural enemies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An endophyte‐rich diet increases ant predation on a specialist herbivorous insect

Hammer

Bael

2015

Ecological Entomology

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Abstract. 1. All plants form symbioses with microfungi, known as endophytes, which live within plant tissues. Numerous studies have documented endophyte-herbivore antagonism in grass systems, but plant-endophyte-insect interactions are highly variable for forbs and woody plants.2. The net effect of endophytes on insect herbivory may be modified by their interactions with higher trophic levels, such as predators. Including these multitrophic dynamics may explain some of the variability among endophyte studies of non-grass plants, which are currently based exclusively on bitrophic studies.3. The abundance of natural foliar endophytes in a Neotropical vine was manipulated and beetles were fed high or low endophyte diets. Experimental assays assessed whether dietary endophyte load affected beetle growth, leaf consumption, and susceptibility to ant predation.4. Beetles feeding on high-versus low-endophyte plants had almost identical growth and leaf consumption rates.5. In a field bioassay, however, it was discovered that feeding on an endophyte-rich diet increased a beetle's odds of capture by predatory ants nine-fold.6. Endophytes could thus provide an indirect, enemy-mediated form of plant defence that operates even against specialist herbivores. We argue that a multitrophic approach is necessary to untangle the potentially diverse types of endophyte defence among plants.

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