Tree diversity and functional leaf traits drive herbivore‐associated microbiomes in subtropical China. Issue 11 (31st March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Yi; Chesters, Douglas; Wang, Ming‐Qiang; Wubet, Tesfaye; Schuldt, Andreas; Anttonen, Perttu; Guo, Peng‐Fei; Chen, Jing‐Ting; Zhou, Qing‐Song; Zhang, Nai‐Li; Ma, Ke‐Ping; Bruelheide, Helge; Wu, Chun‐Sheng; Zhu, Chao‐Dong
• Is Part Of: Ecology and evolution. Volume 11:Issue 11(2021)
• Page Start: 6153
• Page End: 6166
• Publication Date: 2021-03-31
• Subjects: 16S rRNA -- Bacteria -- BEF‐China -- herbivore‐associated microbiome -- leaf characteristics -- Lepidoptera -- Microbial ecology; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7434
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7758

Abstract

Abstract: Herbivorous insects acquire microorganisms from host plants or soil, but it remains unclear how the diversity and functional composition of host plants contribute to structuring herbivore microbiomes. Within a controlled tree diversity setting, we used DNA metabarcoding of 16S rRNA to assess the contribution of Lepidoptera species and their local environment (particularly, tree diversity, host tree species, and leaf traits) to the composition of associated bacterial communities. In total, we obtained 7, 909 bacterial OTUs from 634 caterpillar individuals comprising 146 species. Tree diversity was found to drive the diversity of caterpillar‐associated bacteria both directly and indirectly via effects on caterpillar communities, and tree diversity was a stronger predictor of bacterial diversity than diversity of caterpillars. Leaf toughness and dry matter content were important traits of the host plant determining bacterial species composition, while leaf calcium and potassium concentration influenced bacterial richness. Our study reveals previously unknown linkages between trees and their characteristics, herbivore insects, and their associated microbes, which contributes to developing a more nuanced understanding of functional dependencies between herbivores and their environment, and has implications for the consequences of plant diversity loss for trophic interactions. Abstract : In this study, we hypothesized that the community composition of herbivore‐associated microbes is driven by specific aspects of their surroundings (particularly, leaf traits, host tree species, and diversity thereof) and by the composition and diversity of the host herbivore species. We found that tree diversity and leaf traits drive caterpillar‐associated microbes in a controlled setting. It revealed the linkages between tree (leaves), herbivores, and associated microbes, which contributes to the development of a more comprehensive understanding of relationships and functional dependencies between herbivores and their environment, and of the consequences of plant diversity loss for trophic interactions.