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Date
2018Type
- Journal Article
Citations
Cited 10 times in
Web of Science
Cited 11 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
Pathogens and other parasites can have profound effects on biological communities and ecosystems. Here we explore how two strains of a plant virus – Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus, BYDV – influence the foraging performance and fecundity of two aphid species: Rhopalosiphum maidis and R. padi. We found that pre-inhabitation by R. padi on plants facilitates the subsequent foraging of conspecifics and R. maidis. Without the virus, the occurrence of facilitation is asymmetric because it depends on the order of species arrival. However, with virus we found facilitation irrespective of the order of species arrival. Furthermore, the virus also boosted the fecundity of both aphids. Analyses of nutrient content of virus-free and virus-infected plants show significant increases of essential amino acids, sterols, and carbohydrates. Such nutrient increases appear to underlie the facilitative interactions and fecundity of aphids on virus-infected plants. Our experiments demonstrate that the virus dramatically increases the food consumption and fecundity of aphids through intra and interspecific trophic facilitation, resulting in processes that could affect community organization. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000282080Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Scientific ReportsVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
Nature Publishing GroupOrganisational unit
03970 - De Moraes, Consuelo / De Moraes, Consuelo
03909 - Levine, Jonathan M. (ehemalig) / Levine, Jonathan M. (former)
03909 - Levine, Jonathan M. (ehemalig) / Levine, Jonathan M. (former)
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Show all metadata
Citations
Cited 10 times in
Web of Science
Cited 11 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics