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opencc-zeroJul 2019View details →

Data from: Cuticular hydrocarbons as potential mediators of cryptic species divergence in a mutualistic ant association

Upon advances in sequencing techniques, more and more morphologically identical organisms are identified as cryptic species. Often, mutualistic interactions are proposed as drivers of diversification. Species of the Neotropical parabiotic ant association between Crematogaster levior and Camponotus femoratus are known for highly diverse cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles, which in insects serve as desiccation barrier but also as communication cues. In the present study we investigated the association of the ants' CHC profiles to genotypes and morphological traits, and discovered cryptic species pairs in both genera. To assess putative niche differentiation between the cryptic species, we conducted an environmental association study that included various climate variables, canopy cover, and mutualistic plant species. Although mostly sympatric, the two Camponotus species seem to prefer different climate niches. However in the two Crematogaster species, we could not detect any differences in niche preference. The strong differentiation in the CHC profiles may thus suggest either a possible role during speciation itself by inducing assortative mating, or by reinforcing sexual selection after the speciation event. We did not detect any further niche differences in the environmental parameters tested. Thus, it remains open how the cryptic species avoid competitive exclusion, with scope for further investigations.

opencc-zeroDec 2015View details →

Data from: Evolutionary history shapes patterns of mutualistic benefit in Acacia-rhizobial interactions

The ecological and evolutionary factors that drive the emergence and maintenance of variation in mutualistic benefit (i.e. the benefits provided by one partner to another) in mutualistic symbioses are not well understood. In this study we evaluated the role that host and symbiont phylogeny might play in determining patterns of mutualistic benefit (host response) for interactions among nine species of Acacia and 31 strains of nitrogen-fixing rhizobial bacteria. Using phylogenetic comparative methods we compared patterns of variation in mutualistic benefit to rhizobial phylogenies constructed from housekeeping and symbiosis genes; and a multi-gene host phylogeny. We found widespread genotype-by-genotype variation in patterns of plant growth. A relatively large component of this variation (21-28%) was strongly influenced by the interacting evolutionary histories of both partners, such that phylogenetically similar host species had similar growth responses when inoculated with phylogenetically similar rhizobia. We also found a relatively large non-phylogenetic effect for the average mutualistic benefit provided by rhizobia to plants, such that phylogenetic relatedness did not predict the overall benefit provided by rhizobia across all hosts. We conclude that phylogenetic relatedness should frequently predict patterns of mutualistic benefit in acacia-rhizobial mutualistic interactions; but that some mutualistic traits also evolve independently of the phylogenies.

opencc-zeroNov 2021View details →

Data from: Protection mutualists affect colonization and establishment of host-associated species in a coral reef cryptofauna community

Protection mutualists display territorial behaviors that provide protective services for their host species. To investigate how protection mutualists impact the colonization and establishment of host-associated species, we conducted a two-stage experiment using a coral reef cryptofauna community as our study system. Pocillopora meandrina is a fairly common, branching coral species that forms habitat that is utilized by a variety of marine organisms. There is a guild of protection mutualists that associate with P. meandrina including Trapeziidae crabs and Alpheidae shrimp. We manipulated coral colonies to have Trapeziidae crabs, Alpheidae shrimp, both, or neither. For the first part of our experiment, we observed colonization of marine invertebrates to these colonies every other day for two months, while resetting the treatment levels every seven days. For the second part of our experiment, we surveyed the community composition weekly and then monthly for a total of six months without interference. During both experiments, we measured the initial and final size of the host coral colonies as a metric of fitness. Data are provided for observed marine decapods through time on each of forty experimental coral colonies for the colonization and the establishment experiments. Data are also provided for coral colony size at the beginning and end of each experiment.

opencc-zeroApr 2022View details →

Supporting data: Speciation and population divergence in a mutualistic seed dispersing bird

Bird-mediated seed dispersal is crucial for the regeneration and viability of ecosystems, often resulting in complex mutualistic species networks. Yet, how this mutualism drives the evolution of seed dispersing birds is still poorly understood. In the present study we combine whole genome re-sequencing analyses and morphometric data to assess the evolutionary processes that shaped the diversification of the Eurasian nutcracker (Nucifraga), a seed disperser known for its mutualism with pines (Pinus). Our results show that the divergence and phylogeographic patterns of nutcrackers resemble those of other non-mutualistic passerine birds and suggests that their early diversification was shaped by similar biogeographic and climatic processes. The limited variation in foraging traits indicates that local adaptation to pines likely played a minor role. Our study shows that close mutualistic relationships between bird and plant species might not necessarily act as a primary driver of evolution and diversification in resource-specialized birds. The supporting data include VCF-files for the different population genetic analyses, the morphometric data set, as well as the data set related to the phylogenetic analyses.

opencc-zeroMay 2022View details →

Data from: Single mutation makes Escherichia coli an insect mutualist

We report an experimental system in which Escherichia coli evolves into an insect mutualist. When the essential gut symbiont of the stinkbug Plautia stali was replaced by E. coli, a few survivor insects exhibited specific localization and vertical transmission of E. coli. Through trans-generational maintenance with P. stali, several hyper-mutating E. coli lines independently evolved host's high adult emergence and improved body color. Such "mutualistic" E. coli lines exhibited independent mutations disrupting the carbon catabolite repression (CCR) global transcriptional regulator. Each of the mutations reproduced the mutualistic phenotypes when introduced into wild-type E. coli, confirming that the single CCR mutations instantly make E. coli an insect mutualist. Our discovery uncovers that evolution of elaborate mutualism can proceed more easily and rapidly than conventionally envisaged.

opencc-zeroJun 2022View details →

The evolution of antagonistic and mutualistic traits in the yucca-yucca moth obligate pollination mutualism

Dataset used to analyze the rates of evolution of mouthparts used for pollination and egg-laying morphology in yucca moths. Dataset includes the morphological measurements, the phylogenetic tree, and the species means for the evolutionary rates test.

opencc-by-4.0Jan 2019View details →

Alien plants and flower visitors disrupt the seasonal dynamics of mutualistic networks - Dataset

Dataset associated with the manuscript "Alien plants and flower visitors disrupt the seasonal dynamics of mutualistic networks" (Arroyo-Correa et al. 2019)

opencc-zeroJun 2024View details →

Forest fragmentation effects on mutualistic interactions: Frugivorous birds and fruiting trees

While many effects of forest fragmentation are reasonably well understood, knowledge of interspecific interactions in fragmented ecosystems is much more limited, particularly for high-diversity tropical forests. Using nearly 40 years of data from the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project in Central Amazonia, we assessed whether forest fragment area and time since isolation impact mutualistic interactions between frugivorous birds and their food resources. We used structural equation modeling to analyze the complex pathways between four main variables determining these interactions: fruiting tree abundance, frugivorous bird abundance, forest fragment area, and time since fragment isolation. Our results confirm that fragment area alters the abundance of some tree resources, with successional plant families increasing in abundance with decreasing fragment size. However, these changes do not drive alterations in the abundance of frugivorous birds. We also tested if bird species with a greater relative diet breadth are less vulnerable to forest fragmentation and found that specialist frugivores are more vulnerable to forest fragmentation immediately after isolation but are not differentially impacted within the long term. Collectively, our results demonstrate the need to further evaluate human-driven habitat change across multiple timescales to fully understand its impacts on complex species interactions.

Figure 6 in An extensive review of mutualistic and similar ecological associations involving tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae), with a new hypothesis on the evolution of their hirsuteness

Figure 6. Associations between tarantulas and whip spiders, a harvestman and a snake. A. Sericopelma sp. sharing its retreat with an unidentified whip spider (marked with an arrow), La Chorrera, Panama. B. Megaphobema velvetosoma sharing its retreat with an unidentified whip spider (marked with an arrow), Yasuní National Park, Ecuador. C. Sericopelma sp. and Paraphrynus laevifrons, Santa María de Dota, San José Province, Costa Rica. D. Phormictopus cautus sharing its burrow with an unidentified whip spider, Vinales, Pinar del Río Province, Cuba. E. Sericopelma sp. sharing its retreat with an unidentified harvestman (marked with an arrow), Upala, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica. F. Brachypelma boehmei sharing its retreat with Sonora michoacanensis (marked with an arrow), Guerrero State, Mexico. Photo credits: John G. Phillips (A), Aidan Craner (B), Johnson Jou (C), José Garrido (D), Dan MacNeal (E), and Rick C. West (F).

Figure 8 in An extensive review of mutualistic and similar ecological associations involving tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae), with a new hypothesis on the evolution of their hirsuteness

Figure 8. Tarantulas living in termitaria. A. Avicularia juruensis, nr. Iquitos, Loreto, Peru. B. Vitalius dubius, Dona Amélia Farm, Santo Antônio de Possee, São Paulo, Brazil. C. Nhandu coloratovillosus, São Geraldo do Araguaia, Pará, Brazil. D. Nhandu coloratovillosus, Peixe, Tocantins, Brazil. E. Psalmopoeus cambridgei, Tamana Hill, Sangre Grande, Trinidad Island, West Indies. F. Brachionopus sp. with Trinervitermes sp., Ezemvelo Nature Reserve, Tshwane, Gauteng Province, South Africa. Photo credits: Alexey Yakovlev (A), Ivan Sazima (B), Fernando J.M. Rojas-Runjaic (C), Danté Fenolio (D), Sarah Crews (E), and Luke Goddard (F).

Figure 2. Associations between tarantulas and anurans. A in An extensive review of mutualistic and similar ecological associations involving tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae), with a new hypothesis on the evolution of their hirsuteness

Figure 2. Associations between tarantulas and anurans. A. Aphonopelma cf. armada and Gastrophryne sp., Burleson, Texas, USA. B. Aphonopelma seemanni and Engystomops pustulosus, Tamarindo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. C. Nhandu carapoensis and Chiasmocleis albopunctata, Balneario Pinamar, Paraguarí, Paraguay. D. Aphonopelma hentzi and Gastrophryne olivacea, Double Helix Ranch, Pontotoc, Texas, USA. E. Aphonopelma anax and Gastrophryne sp., Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas, USA. F. Pamphobeteus sp., female with late instars, and Chiasmocleis ventrimaculata, Tambopata Reserve, Madre de Dios Region, Peru. B reproduced from Hooijer (2005), C reproduced from Bascoulés and Smith (2021). Photo credits: Kassy Myers (A), Alex Hooijer (B), Sébastien Bascoulès (C), David Hillis (D), John Edward (E), and Reginald Cocroft (F).

Figure 9 in An extensive review of mutualistic and similar ecological associations involving tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae), with a new hypothesis on the evolution of their hirsuteness

Figure 9. Nesiergus insulanus living in drywood termite frass (Kalotermitidae) on Frégate Island, Seychelles. A. Decaying palm tree with a retreat (marked by an arrow). B. Same, detailed view of the retreat. C, E. Fallen decayed palm tree with retreats (marked by arrows). D, F. Same, detailed views of the retreats. A and F reproduced from Canning et al. (2014). Photo credits: Greg Canning.

Figure 12. Slit-like cuticular pores representing epidermal gland openings. A, B in An extensive review of mutualistic and similar ecological associations involving tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae), with a new hypothesis on the evolution of their hirsuteness

Figure 12. Slit-like cuticular pores representing epidermal gland openings. A, B. Ephebopus cyanognathus West and Marshall, 2000, palpal femur, with urticating setae and one gland opening (marked with an arrow). C, D. Exuvia of juvenile Ephebopus cyanognathus, abdomen. E. Psalmopoeus sp., dorsal side of metatarsus. F. Liphistius sp., a slit sensillum (large) and several gland openings (small, one marked with an arrow). Photo credits: Rainer Foelix. Scale bars: 0.01 mm.

Figure 4 in An extensive review of mutualistic and similar ecological associations involving tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae), with a new hypothesis on the evolution of their hirsuteness

Figure 4. Associations between tarantulas and anurans, continued. A. Sericopelma sp. and Engystomops pustulosus, nr. La Soledad, Veraguas Province, Panama. B. Pterinochilus sp. and Sclerophrys sp., Mana Pools NP, Zimbabwe. C. Ceratogyrus darlingi and Sclerophrys sp., South Africa. D. Orphnaecus sp., juvenile (marked with an arrow, the adult female not in the frame), and Rhinella marina, Sison, Pangasinan, Philippines. E. Poecilotheria fasciata and Uperodon taprobanica, Eluwankulama, Puttalam, Sri Lanka. E reproduced from Karunarathna et al. (2012). Photo credits: Martin Hüsser (A), Delwin Eggers (B, C), Darrell Camacho (D), and Suranjan Karunarathna (E).

Figure 3 in An extensive review of mutualistic and similar ecological associations involving tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae), with a new hypothesis on the evolution of their hirsuteness

Figure 3. Associations between tarantulas and anurans, continued. A. Aphonopelma armada and Gastrophryne olivacea, Austin, Texas, USA. B, C. Aphonopelma hentzi and Gastrophryne olivacea (marked with an arrow), Bandera County, Texas, USA. D. Aphonopelma hentzi and Gastrophryne olivacea, Bexar County, Texas. Photo credits: Kenneth Bader (A), Alec Gaudiesus (B), Alejandro Santillana (C), and Josh Benavidez (D).

Figure 10 in An extensive review of mutualistic and similar ecological associations involving tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae), with a new hypothesis on the evolution of their hirsuteness

Figure 10. Egg sacs of theraphosids, heavily covered in protective urticating setae. A, B. Intact and opened egg sac of Megaphobema velvetosoma, Loreto, Peru. C. Female Tekoapora wacketi (MelloLeitão, 1923) with her egg sac, Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. Photo credits: Rick C. West (A, B) and Ivan Sazima (C).

Figure 5 in An extensive review of mutualistic and similar ecological associations involving tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae), with a new hypothesis on the evolution of their hirsuteness

Figure 5. Associations between tarantulas and anurans, continued. A. Pamphobeteus sp., juveniles eating a tree-frog at maternal burrow entrance with Chiasmocleis royi untouched, Los Amigos Biological Station, Madre de Dios, Peru. B. Pamphobeteus sp., late instars living with Chiasmocleis ventrimaculata in maternal burrow entrance, Tambopata Reserve, Madre de Dios, Peru. C. Acanthoscurria sp. and Chiasmocleis albopunctata (marked with an arrow), Taunay, Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. D. Pamphobeteus sp. and Chiasmocleis royi, Los Amigos Biological Station, Madre de Dios, Peru. Photo credits: Francesco Tomasinelli and Emanuele Biggi (A, D), Reginald Cocroft (B), and Platon Yushchenko (C).

Figure 7. Interactions between tarantulas and ants. A in An extensive review of mutualistic and similar ecological associations involving tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae), with a new hypothesis on the evolution of their hirsuteness

Figure 7. Interactions between tarantulas and ants. A. Avicularia purpurea (marked with an arrow) in its arboreal retreat, living with a colony of an unidentified species of Camponotus, Tena, Napo, Ecuador. B. Tapinauchenius cupreus living with Camponotus femoratus in a tree cavity, Río Momón, Loreto, Peru. C. Stichoplastoris cf. obelix, spiderlings, and Labidus coecus ants not being interested in the spiders, Reserva Biológica Tirimbina, Heredia Province, Costa Rica. D. Same, spiderlings gathered at the maternal burrow entrance, with ants moving close to the entrance. E. Avicularia hirschii displaying an escape strategy against Labidus ants, Madre de Dios, Peru. F. Tapinauchenius plumipes caught, killed and carved up by the army ants Eciton burchellii, Montsinéry-Tonnegrande Commune, French Guiana. D reproduced from Lapinski (2019). Photo credits: Rick C. West (A, B, F), Witold Lapinski (C, D), and Emanuele Biggi (E).

Figure 11. Leg IV in An extensive review of mutualistic and similar ecological associations involving tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae), with a new hypothesis on the evolution of their hirsuteness

Figure 11. Leg IV (prolateral view) of a female Nhandu tripepii (Dresco, 1984) from Belém, Pará, Brazil. Photo credit: Rick C. West.

Figure 1 in An extensive review of mutualistic and similar ecological associations involving tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae), with a new hypothesis on the evolution of their hirsuteness

Figure 1. Geographic distribution of reported cases of associations between tarantulas and anurans. Red dots: literature records; yellow dots: new records.