10.5061/DRYAD.T64F6
Tao, Leiling
Emory University
Gowler, Camden D.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ahmad, Aamina
Emory University
Hunter, Mark D.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
De Roode, Jacobus C.
Emory University
Data from: Disease ecology across soil boundaries: effects of below-ground
fungi on above-ground host–parasite interactions
Dryad
dataset
2015
belowground-aboveground interaction
trait-mediated indirect effects
Host-parasite interaction
2015-09-18T14:27:32Z
2015-09-18T14:27:32Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2015.1993
10619 bytes
1
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Host–parasite interactions are subject to strong trait-mediated indirect
effects from other species. However, it remains unexplored whether such
indirect effects may occur across soil boundaries and connect spatially
isolated organisms. Here, we demonstrate that, by changing plant (milkweed
Asclepias sp.) traits, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) significantly
affect interactions between a herbivore (the monarch butterfly Danaus
plexippus) and its protozoan parasite (Ophryocystis elektroscirrha), which
represents an interaction across four biological kingdoms. In our
experiment, AMF affected parasite virulence, host resistance and host
tolerance to the parasite. These effects were dependent on both the
density of AMF and the identity of milkweed species: AMF indirectly
increased disease in monarchs reared on some species, while alleviating
disease in monarchs reared on other species. The species-specificity was
driven largely by the effects of AMF on both plant primary (phosphorus)
and secondary (cardenolides; toxins in milkweeds) traits. Our study
demonstrates that trait-mediated indirect effects in disease ecology are
extensive, such that below-ground interactions between AMF and plant roots
can alter host–parasite interactions above ground. In general, soil biota
may play an underappreciated role in the ecology of many terrestrial
host–parasite systems.
Data showing effects of AMF on parasite virulence in the main
experimentPlant species: 1: A. curassavica; 2: A. verticillata; 3: A.
purpurascens; 4: A. syriaca; 5: latifolia; 6. incarnata. AMF treatment: 0:
control; 1: low; 2: high.Data deposit final.txt