Polyploidy in creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) shapes the biogeography of specialist herbivores.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

Whole-genome duplication (polyploidy) can influence the biogeography and ecology of plants that differ in ploidy level (cytotype). Here, we address how two consequences of plant polyploidy (parapatry of cytotypes and altered species interactions) shape the biogeography of herbivorous insects.

Location

Warm deserts of North America.

Taxa

Gall midges (Asphondylia auripila group, Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) that attack three parapatric cytotypes of creosote bush (Larrea tridentata, Zygophyllaceae).

Methods

We surveyed Asphondylia species diversity at 177 sites across a 2300-km extent. After noting a correspondence between the distributions of eight Asphondylia species and L. tridentata cytotypes, we fine-mapped Asphondylia

SUBMITTER: O'Connor TK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6749999 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature