Gall-induction in insects: evolutionary dead-end or speciation driver?

ABSTRACT:

Background

The tree of life is significantly asymmetrical - a result of differential speciation and extinction - but general causes of such asymmetry are unclear. Differences in niche partitioning are thought to be one possible general explanation. Ecological specialization might lead to increases in diversification rate or, alternatively, specialization might limit the evolutionary potential of specialist lineages and increase their extinction risk. Here we compare the diversification rates of gall-inducing and non-galling insect lineages. Compared with other insect herbivores feeding on the same host plant, gall-inducing insects feed on plant tissue that is more nutritious and less defended, and they do so in a favorable microhabitat that may also provide some protection from nat

SUBMITTER: Hardy NB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2939573 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature