Production of complementary defense metabolites reflects a co‐evolutionary arms race between a host plant and a mutualistic bark beetle‐fungal complex. (6th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ullah, Aziz; Klutsch, Jennifer G.; Erbilgin, Nadir
• Is Part Of: Plant, cell and environment. Volume 44:Number 9(2021)
• Page Start: 3064
• Page End: 3077
• Publication Date: 2021-06-06
• Subjects: beetle behaviour -- chemotypes -- Dendroctonus ponderosae -- Grosmannia clavigera -- host acceptance -- Pinus contorta -- plant‐insect interactions; Plant physiology -- Periodicals; Plant cells and tissues -- Periodicals; Plant communities -- Periodicals; 581.105
• DOI: 10.1111/pce.14100
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-7791

Abstract

Abstract: Intra‐specific variation in conifers has been extensively studied with respect to defense against herbivores and pathogens. While studies have shown the ability of individual or specific mixtures of compounds to influence insects and microbes, research testing biologically relevant mixtures of defense compounds reflecting intra‐specific variation amongst tree populations to enemy complexes is needed. We characterized the variations in lodgepole pine monoterpenes from a progeny trial in western Canada and grouped trees in four clusters using their monoterpene profiles. We then selected 11 representative families across four clusters and amended their entire monoterpene profiles (with the exception of β‐phellandrene) in media to determine how representative families affect the performance of the mountain pine beetle or its fungal symbiont. We placed adult beetles or inoculated fungus on the amended media and measured beetle performance and fungal growth as a proxy to host suitability. We found that different clusters or families differentially influenced beetle or fungal responses. However, monoterpene profiles of trees suitable to the beetle or the fungus were dissimilar. These outcomes reflect a co‐evolutionary arms‐race between the host and the bark beetle‐fungus complex, which has resulted in the production of complementary defense metabolites among different pine populations to enhance tree survival. Abstract : Lodgepole pine phenotypes having different monoterpene profiles differentially affected the mountain pine beetle and its fungal symbiont, suggesting the production of complementary defense compounds in the same monoterpene mixture to target multi‐species of enemy complexes, enhancing tree survival.