Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Insect life history and the evolution of bacterial mutualism

2015; Wiley; Volume: 18; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/ele.12425

1461-0248

Lee M. Henry, Martin Maiden, Julia Ferrari, Hubert Charles,

Plant and animal studies

Abstract Bacterial symbiosis has played a fundamental role in the evolution of eukaryotes. However, we still know little about how cooperative relationships with bacteria originate, and why they form in some host species but not others. Facultative symbionts that are beneficial, but not essential, provide unique insights into these processes. We use data from over a hundred aphid species to test if host life history is associated with the presence of facultative symbionts. We find that aphid species that have mutualistic associations with ants that protect them from natural enemies are less likely to carry symbionts that provide similar benefits. We also find one symbiont species occurs more frequently in unrelated aphid species that specialise on certain plant genera. In addition, aphid species that attack multiple plants often carry different symbiont complements. Our findings provide evidence of the ecological conditions that facilitate stable, mutually beneficial relationships between microbes and eukaryotic hosts.