Microbial colonization of injured cactus tissue (Stenocereus gummosus) and its relationship to the ecology of cactophilic Drosophila mojavensis

Fogleman, James C.; Foster, J. L. M.

doi:10.1128/aem.55.1.100-105.1989

Cited by 42 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 19 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The tunnelling activities of larvae may destroy fungal mycelium, while the inoculation of substrates with yeast by adults might give the yeast a head start. There is some evidence to suggest a mutualistic interaction between Drosophila and yeasts, which might eventually suppress the development of fungal growth: (1) Yeast development is faster within insect‐infested resources (Fogleman & Foster, 1989) and the succession in yeast communities is driven through inoculations by adult Drosophila (Morais et al ., 1995). (2) When baker's yeast was added to standard substrates of mashed apple, no fungal growth was visible (B. Wertheim, unpublished).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In any case, larval density by itself might be insufficient to yield a benefit regarding resource exploitation. In fact, it is likely that adults contribute to the quality of the larval substrates, because a number of Drosophila species is known to inoculate substrates with different species of yeast (Gilbert, 1980; Fogleman & Foster, 1989; Morais et al ., 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Allee effect in larval resource exploitation in Drosophila: an interaction among density of adults, larvae, and micro‐organisms

Wertheim¹,

Marchais²,

Vet³

et al. 2002

Ecological Entomology

138

196

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. 1. Aggregation pheromones can evolve when individuals benefit from clustering. Such a situation can arise with an Allee effect, i.e. a positive relationship between individual fitness and density of conspecifics. Aggregation pheromone in Drosophila induces aggregated oviposition. The aim of the work reported here was to identify an Allee effect in the larval resource exploitation by Drosophila melanogaster, which could explain the evolution of aggregation pheromone in this species.2. It is hypothesised that an Allee effect in D. melanogaster larvae arises from an increased efficiency of a group of larvae to temper fungal growth on their feeding substrate. To test this hypothesis, standard apple substrates were infested with specified numbers of larvae, and their survival and development were monitored. A potential beneficial effect of the presence of adult flies was also investigated by incubating a varying number of adults on the substrate before introducing the larvae. Adults inoculate substrates with yeast, on which the larvae feed.3. Fungal growth was related negatively to larval survival and the size of the emerging flies. Although the fungal growth on the substrate was largely reduced at increased larval densities, the measurements of fitness components indicated no Allee effect between larval densities and larval fitness, but rather indicated larval competition.4. In contrast, increased adult densities on the substrates prior to larval development yielded higher survival of the larvae, larger emerging flies, and also reduced fungal growth on the substrates. Hence, adults enhanced the quality of the larval substrate and significant benefits of aggregated oviposition in fruit flies were shown. Experiments with synthetic pheromone indicated that the aggregation pheromone itself did not contribute directly to the quality of the larval resource.5. The interaction among adults, micro-organisms, and larval growth is discussed in relation to the consequences for total fitness.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Allee effect in larval resource exploitation in Drosophila: an interaction among density of adults, larvae, and micro‐organisms

Wertheim¹,

Marchais²,

Vet³

et al. 2002

Ecological Entomology

138

196

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Furthermore, drosophilid fruit flies are attracted to specific odours that are produced during microbial degradation of resources (Fuyama, 1976;Oakeshott et al, 1989) and can differentiate between substrates that differ in yeast composition and profitability (Cooper, 1959). The adults are vectors for yeasts and bacteria to the breeding and feeding substrates, and within insectinfested resources, micro-organisms develop more quickly (Fogleman & Foster, 1989;Gilbert, 1980). This all indicates that Drosophila flies are closely associated with micro-organisms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioural plasticity in support of a benefit for aggregation pheromone use in Drosophila melanogaster

Wertheim

Dicke

Vet

2002

Entomologia Exp Applicata

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We explored behavioural plasticity in the use of aggregation pheromone in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Based on previous field observations, we formulated two hypotheses on a benefit of using aggregation pheromone for aggregated oviposition. One hypothesis concerns a benefit to the females themselves, where reduced harassment by males can enhance oviposition rate; the other concerns a benefit to their offspring, where larvae can exploit arduous substrates more efficiently. We derive contrasting expectations on the strength of the behavioural response to pheromone for substrates that differ in nutritional quality to larvae. High quality substrates relax the strength of larval competition, which allows for stronger aggregative responses of the females, but conversely, it may yield aggregation less necessary when the benefit is related to resource exploitation by the larvae. In indoor and outdoor dual choice set-ups, we tested the behavioural responses of the adults to the aggregation pheromone with substrates of varying quality, and examined oviposition behaviour. The response of adults to the aggregation pheromone was strong and robust for low quality substrates, but significantly weaker for a high quality substrate. This supports the hypothesis on a benefit to the larvae. Females retained aggregation pheromones in the absence of oviposition substrates for at least 24 h. In the outdoor set-up, substrate with aggregation pheromone received more than three times as many eggs as control substrates, and this was directly related to the number of adults that visited each substrate. Per capita, oviposition rates were not different for differently sized aggregations, and consequently, no evidence was found in support of the hypothesis on reduced harassment. The combination of aggregation pheromone possession and a mutualistic relationship with microorganisms for Drosophila and other insects is discussed.

show abstract

“…The phenomenon of "jungle type" bacterial communities within the rotting tissue of cacti is not unique to cardon. Analyses of bacterial communities in three 691 other necrotic columnar cacti's tissues revealed numerous different isolates belonging to 28 bacterial groups, yet none of the bacteria were apparently related to the primary cause of the necrosis itself (7,9,10). Yeast communities have been associated with the decaying of cactus, but only as secondary colonizers (8).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flat top decay syndrome of the giant cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei): description and distribution in Baja California Sur, Mexico

Bashan¹,

Toledo²,

Holguín³

1995

Can. J. Bot.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The giant columnar cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) appears to have an ailment(s) that is destroying a large number of plants. The causal agent(s), whether biotic or abiotic, has yet to be determined. Two forms of symptom development have been recorded. The first is a circular tissue decay on a branch leading to death of the growing tip. In this case, the dead portion detaches and forms a "flat top" on the living part (hence the proposed name for this phenomenon). Progressive degeneration and death of the plant ensue. The second form is an initial circular crack on the branch without decay. Later, the green branch above the crack detaches, creating the characteristic flat top. A third type of degeneration was also observed: fatal bleaching. The time period between symptoms is unknown. It primarily affects mature, more than 100-year-old plants, but relatively young plants are also affected. Thirty-one field surveys covering the entire state of Baja California Sur found four major and three smaller centers of flat top decay. We believe that flat top decay syndrome of the cardon cacti in Baja California is common and widespread. Key words: cactus decay, cactus deformation, cactus diseases, columnar cacti, Pachycereus, phytopathology.

show abstract

Microbial colonization of injured cactus tissue (Stenocereus gummosus) and its relationship to the ecology of cactophilic Drosophila mojavensis

Cited by 42 publications

References 19 publications

Allee effect in larval resource exploitation in Drosophila: an interaction among density of adults, larvae, and micro‐organisms

Allee effect in larval resource exploitation in Drosophila: an interaction among density of adults, larvae, and micro‐organisms

Behavioural plasticity in support of a benefit for aggregation pheromone use in Drosophila melanogaster

Flat top decay syndrome of the giant cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei): description and distribution in Baja California Sur, Mexico

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About