A rodent herbivore reduces its predation risk through ecosystem engineering

Zhong, Zhong; Li, Guoliang; Sanders, Dirk; Wang, Deli; Holt, Robert D.; Zhang, Zhibin

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2022.02.074

Cited by 13 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…They are typical seasonal breeders, with 2–4 litters per year and a breeding season from spring to autumn [ 35 ]. Brandt’s voles are key prey of many predators in the grassland [ 35 , 36 ]. They dig and build complex burrow systems, which transfer fresh deep soil material to the surface and then accelerate nitrogen–carbon cycle of the grassland.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gut microbiota is associated with the effect of photoperiod on seasonal breeding in male Brandt’s voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)

Zhu

Liu

et al. 2022

Microbiome

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Background Seasonal breeding in mammals has been widely recognized to be regulated by photoperiod, but the association of gut microbiota with photoperiodic regulation of seasonal breeding has never been investigated. Results In this study, we investigated the association of gut microbiota with photoperiod-induced reproduction in male Brandt’s voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) through a long-day and short-day photoperiod manipulation experiment and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiment. We found photoperiod significantly altered reproductive hormone and gene expression levels, and gut microbiota of voles. Specific gut microbes were significantly associated with the reproductive hormones and genes of voles during photoperiod acclimation. Transplantation of gut microbes into recipient voles induced similar changes in three hormones (melatonin, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone) and three genes (hypothalamic Kiss-1, testicular Dio3, and Dio2/Dio3 ratio) to those in long-day and short-day photoperiod donor voles and altered circadian rhythm peaks of recipient voles. Conclusions Our study firstly revealed the association of gut microbiota with photoperiodic regulation of seasonal breeding through the HPG axis, melatonin, and Kisspeptin/GPR54 system. Our results may have significant implications for pest control, livestock animal breeding, and human health management.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gut microbiota is associated with the effect of photoperiod on seasonal breeding in male Brandt’s voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)

Zhu

Liu

et al. 2022

Microbiome

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“…This indirect effect of girdling behavior, evading a competitor, is a novel function of behavioral modulation, which we propose is an exaptation of counteradaptation to plant defense. Rodent herbivores also modulate the physical properties of plants to decrease their appearance, implying that disguising through plant modulation has a general adaptive value across animals [33].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Girdling behavior of the longhorn beetle modulates the host plant to enhance larval performance

Choi

Kim

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Background Preingestive behavioral modulations of herbivorous insects are abundant over insect taxa. Those behaviors are suspected to have functions such as deactivation of host plant defense, nutrient accumulation, or modulating plant-mediated herbivore interaction. However, the hypotheses have rarely been experimentally tested, especially at molecular level. To understand the functional consequence of behavioral modulation of insect herbivore, we studied the girdling behavior of Phytoecia rufiventris Gautier (Lamiinae; Cerambycidae) on its host plant Erigeron annuus L. (Asteraceae) that is performed before endophytic oviposition in the stem. Results The girdling behavior significantly increased the larval performance in both field monitoring and lab experiment. The upper part of the girdled stem exhibited lack of jasmonic acid induction upon larval attack, lowered protease inhibitor activity, and accumulated sugars and amino acids in compared to non-girdled stem. The modulated plant physiology allowed P. rufiventris larvae to allocate resources from detoxification to growth at the transcriptional level. The girdling behavior had no effect on the larval performance of a non-girdling longhorn beetle Agapanthia amurensis, which also feeds on the stem of E. annuus during larval phase. However, the girdling behavior decreased the preference of A. amurensis females for oviposition, which enabled P. rufiventris larvae to avoid competition with A. amurensis larvae. Conclusions In conclusion, the girdling behavior modulates plant physiology and morphology to provide a modulated food source for larva and hide it from the competitor. Our study implies that the insect behavior modulations can have multiple functions, providing insights into adaptation of insect behavior in context of plant-herbivore interaction.

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“…These conditions lead to an increase in shrub species with low forage value (Li et al, 2022), low productivity, a poor nutrient value, and a poor body condition of the livestock (Chen et al, 2022). In addition to livestock practices, the herbivory of wild rodents can impact the structure and regeneration of vegetation (Lucero and Callaway, 2018;Zhong et al, 2022), which can be worsened by weather conditions (Peterson et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity and relative abundance of rodent species under three habitat conditions in the Altiplano Potosino Oeste, Mexico

Martínez-Calderas

Ornelas-Rodarte

Palacio-Núñez

et al. 2023

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Objective: To evaluate the diversity and abundance of rodent species, as well as vegetation cover, under three habitat conditions in the Altiplano Potosino Oeste. Design/Methodology/Approach: The work was carried out in eight sites with good (3), regular (2), and poor (3) vegetation cover conditions. Frequency, basal, and aerial cover data were collected in three plot sizes to obtain the results for the three types of vegetation: arborescent stratum (20×20 m), shrubs (3 plots of 5×5 m), and herbaceous stratum (2 plots of 1×1m). In order to collect the rodent data, three sampling nets with 100 Sherman traps were used. Rodent species diversity was determined using the Shannon-Whinner index (SWI), while abundance was obtained using the Relative Density Index (RDI). Differences were determined using ANOVA. Results: Grass cover decreased depending on the condition; however, this was not the case of the shrub cover. The overall diversity of rodent species was 21 (16 in fair, 15 in good, and 14 in poor condition). The total SWI and RDI decreased depending on the condition. Dipodomys ornatus, D. merriami, and Chaetodipus nelsoni were the most abundant and most widespread species. Study Limitations/Implications: The study was conducted during the most restrictive season and under drought conditions. This situation impacted cattle, but not rodents. However, although their plasticity maintained relatively stable RDI values, the indices decreased depending on the condition. Findings/Conclusions: Despite their habitat conditions, the rodents found in the area are more diverse and abundant than those reported in reference works. Therefore, further studies about this subject should be carried out using rodents as bioindicators

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A rodent herbivore reduces its predation risk through ecosystem engineering

Cited by 13 publications

References 40 publications

Gut microbiota is associated with the effect of photoperiod on seasonal breeding in male Brandt’s voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)

Gut microbiota is associated with the effect of photoperiod on seasonal breeding in male Brandt’s voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)

Girdling behavior of the longhorn beetle modulates the host plant to enhance larval performance

Diversity and relative abundance of rodent species under three habitat conditions in the Altiplano Potosino Oeste, Mexico

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