Microbial modification of host long-distance dispersal capacity
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dispersal plays a key role in shaping biological and ecological processes such as the distribution of spatially-structured populations or the pace and scale of invasion. Here we have studied the relationship between long-distance dis...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2009-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Biology |
| Online Access: | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/7/32 |
| _version_ | 1828237549266534400 |
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| author | Hutchings Linda Bonte Dries Martin Oliver Y Goodacre Sara L Woolley Chris Ibrahim Kamal George Thomas CF Hewitt Godfrey M |
| author_facet | Hutchings Linda Bonte Dries Martin Oliver Y Goodacre Sara L Woolley Chris Ibrahim Kamal George Thomas CF Hewitt Godfrey M |
| author_sort | Hutchings Linda |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dispersal plays a key role in shaping biological and ecological processes such as the distribution of spatially-structured populations or the pace and scale of invasion. Here we have studied the relationship between long-distance dispersal behaviour of a pest-controlling money spider, <it>Erigone atra</it>, and the distribution of maternally acquired endosymbionts within the wider meta-population. This spider persists in heterogeneous environments because of its ability to recolonise areas through active long-distance airborne dispersal using silk as a sail, in a process termed 'ballooning'.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We show that there is spatial heterogeneity in the prevalence of two maternally acquired endosymbiont infections within the wider <it>E. atra </it>meta-population and we demonstrate through several independent approaches a link between the presence of one of these endosymbionts, <it>Rickettsia</it>, and the tendency for long-distance movement.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This novel finding that particular endosymbionts can influence host dispersal is of broad importance given the extremely widespread occurrence of similar bacteria within arthropod communities. A bacterial phenotype that limits dispersal has the potential not only to reduce gene flow and thus contribute to degrees of reproductive isolation within species, but also to influence species distribution and thus overall community composition.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T20:48:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2be9165e839f44c6af52edac56c5b3d1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1741-7007 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T20:48:54Z |
| publishDate | 2009-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-2be9165e839f44c6af52edac56c5b3d12022-12-22T03:17:10ZengBMCBMC Biology1741-70072009-06-01713210.1186/1741-7007-7-32Microbial modification of host long-distance dispersal capacityHutchings LindaBonte DriesMartin Oliver YGoodacre Sara LWoolley ChrisIbrahim KamalGeorge Thomas CFHewitt Godfrey M<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dispersal plays a key role in shaping biological and ecological processes such as the distribution of spatially-structured populations or the pace and scale of invasion. Here we have studied the relationship between long-distance dispersal behaviour of a pest-controlling money spider, <it>Erigone atra</it>, and the distribution of maternally acquired endosymbionts within the wider meta-population. This spider persists in heterogeneous environments because of its ability to recolonise areas through active long-distance airborne dispersal using silk as a sail, in a process termed 'ballooning'.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We show that there is spatial heterogeneity in the prevalence of two maternally acquired endosymbiont infections within the wider <it>E. atra </it>meta-population and we demonstrate through several independent approaches a link between the presence of one of these endosymbionts, <it>Rickettsia</it>, and the tendency for long-distance movement.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This novel finding that particular endosymbionts can influence host dispersal is of broad importance given the extremely widespread occurrence of similar bacteria within arthropod communities. A bacterial phenotype that limits dispersal has the potential not only to reduce gene flow and thus contribute to degrees of reproductive isolation within species, but also to influence species distribution and thus overall community composition.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/7/32 |
| spellingShingle | Hutchings Linda Bonte Dries Martin Oliver Y Goodacre Sara L Woolley Chris Ibrahim Kamal George Thomas CF Hewitt Godfrey M Microbial modification of host long-distance dispersal capacity BMC Biology |
| title | Microbial modification of host long-distance dispersal capacity |
| title_full | Microbial modification of host long-distance dispersal capacity |
| title_fullStr | Microbial modification of host long-distance dispersal capacity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microbial modification of host long-distance dispersal capacity |
| title_short | Microbial modification of host long-distance dispersal capacity |
| title_sort | microbial modification of host long distance dispersal capacity |
| url | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/7/32 |
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