Symbioses shape feeding niches and diversification across insects
(2023) In Nature Ecology and Evolution 7(7). p.1022-1044- Abstract
For over 300 million years, insects have relied on symbiotic microbes for nutrition and defence. However, it is unclear whether specific ecological conditions have repeatedly favoured the evolution of symbioses, and how this has influenced insect diversification. Here, using data on 1,850 microbe–insect symbioses across 402 insect families, we found that symbionts have allowed insects to specialize on a range of nutrient-imbalanced diets, including phloem, blood and wood. Across diets, the only limiting nutrient consistently associated with the evolution of obligate symbiosis was B vitamins. The shift to new diets, facilitated by symbionts, had mixed consequences for insect diversification. In some cases, such as herbivory, it resulted... (More)
For over 300 million years, insects have relied on symbiotic microbes for nutrition and defence. However, it is unclear whether specific ecological conditions have repeatedly favoured the evolution of symbioses, and how this has influenced insect diversification. Here, using data on 1,850 microbe–insect symbioses across 402 insect families, we found that symbionts have allowed insects to specialize on a range of nutrient-imbalanced diets, including phloem, blood and wood. Across diets, the only limiting nutrient consistently associated with the evolution of obligate symbiosis was B vitamins. The shift to new diets, facilitated by symbionts, had mixed consequences for insect diversification. In some cases, such as herbivory, it resulted in spectacular species proliferation. In other niches, such as strict blood feeding, diversification has been severely constrained. Symbioses therefore appear to solve widespread nutrient deficiencies for insects, but the consequences for insect diversification depend on the feeding niche that is invaded.
(Less)
- author
- Cornwallis, Charlie K. LU ; van ’t Padje, Anouk ; Ellers, Jacintha ; Klein, Malin ; Jackson, Raphaella ; Kiers, E. Toby ; West, Stuart A. and Henry, Lee M.
- organization
- publishing date
- 2023-07
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Nature Ecology and Evolution
- volume
- 7
- issue
- 7
- pages
- 23 pages
- publisher
- Nature Publishing Group
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:37202501
- scopus:85159835762
- ISSN
- 2397-334X
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41559-023-02058-0
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 20428ab9-60e1-4192-b7bd-38c3c999f6ac
- date added to LUP
- 2023-09-22 13:41:56
- date last changed
- 2024-04-19 01:32:06
@article{20428ab9-60e1-4192-b7bd-38c3c999f6ac,
abstract = {{<p>For over 300 million years, insects have relied on symbiotic microbes for nutrition and defence. However, it is unclear whether specific ecological conditions have repeatedly favoured the evolution of symbioses, and how this has influenced insect diversification. Here, using data on 1,850 microbe–insect symbioses across 402 insect families, we found that symbionts have allowed insects to specialize on a range of nutrient-imbalanced diets, including phloem, blood and wood. Across diets, the only limiting nutrient consistently associated with the evolution of obligate symbiosis was B vitamins. The shift to new diets, facilitated by symbionts, had mixed consequences for insect diversification. In some cases, such as herbivory, it resulted in spectacular species proliferation. In other niches, such as strict blood feeding, diversification has been severely constrained. Symbioses therefore appear to solve widespread nutrient deficiencies for insects, but the consequences for insect diversification depend on the feeding niche that is invaded.</p>}},
author = {{Cornwallis, Charlie K. and van ’t Padje, Anouk and Ellers, Jacintha and Klein, Malin and Jackson, Raphaella and Kiers, E. Toby and West, Stuart A. and Henry, Lee M.}},
issn = {{2397-334X}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{7}},
pages = {{1022--1044}},
publisher = {{Nature Publishing Group}},
series = {{Nature Ecology and Evolution}},
title = {{Symbioses shape feeding niches and diversification across insects}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02058-0}},
doi = {{10.1038/s41559-023-02058-0}},
volume = {{7}},
year = {{2023}},
}