Polyphagy and diversification in tussock moths: Support for the oscillation hypothesis from extreme generalists.

ABSTRACT: Theory on plasticity driving speciation, as applied to insect-plant interactions (the oscillation hypothesis), predicts more species in clades with higher diversity of host use, all else being equal. Previous support comes mainly from specialized herbivores such as butterflies, and plasticity theory suggests that there may be an upper host range limit where host diversity no longer promotes diversification. The tussock moths (Erebidae: Lymantriinae) are known for extreme levels of polyphagy. We demonstrate that this system is also very different from butterflies in terms of phylogenetic signal for polyphagy and for use of specific host orders. Yet we found support for the generality of the oscillation hypothesis, in that clades with higher diversity of host use were found to contain more s

SUBMITTER: Wang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5632610 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature