Generalist Predators Shape Biotic Resistance along a Tropical Island Chain
Islands offer exclusive prisms for an experimental investigation of biodiversity x ecosystem function interplay. Given that species in upper trophic layers, e.g., arthropod predators, experience a comparative disadvantage on small, isolated islands, such settings can help to clarify how predation fe...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/18/3304 |
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| author | Kris A. G. Wyckhuys Johanna Audrey Leatemia Muhammad Zainal Fanani Michael J. Furlong Baogen Gu Buyung Asmara Ratna Hadi Jeffij Virgowat Hasinu Maria C. Melo Saartje Helena Noya Aunu Rauf Johanna Taribuka Yubak Dhoj Gc |
| author_facet | Kris A. G. Wyckhuys Johanna Audrey Leatemia Muhammad Zainal Fanani Michael J. Furlong Baogen Gu Buyung Asmara Ratna Hadi Jeffij Virgowat Hasinu Maria C. Melo Saartje Helena Noya Aunu Rauf Johanna Taribuka Yubak Dhoj Gc |
| author_sort | Kris A. G. Wyckhuys |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Islands offer exclusive prisms for an experimental investigation of biodiversity x ecosystem function interplay. Given that species in upper trophic layers, e.g., arthropod predators, experience a comparative disadvantage on small, isolated islands, such settings can help to clarify how predation features within biotic resistance equations. Here, we use observational and manipulative studies on a chain of nine Indonesian islands to quantify predator-mediated biotic resistance against the cassava mealybug <i>Phenacoccus manihoti</i> (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) and the fall armyworm <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Across island settings, a diverse set of generalist lacewing, spider and ladybeetle predators aggregates on <i>P. manihoti</i> infested plants, attaining max. (field-level) abundance levels of 1.0, 8.0 and 3.2 individuals per plant, respectively. Though biotic resistance—as imperfectly defined by a predator/prey ratio index—exhibits no inter-island differences, <i>P. manihoti</i> population regulation is primarily provided through an introduced monophagous parasitoid. Meanwhile, resident predators, such as soil-dwelling ants, inflict apparent mortality rates up to 100% for various <i>S. frugiperda</i> life stages, which translates into a 13- to 800-fold lower <i>S. frugiperda</i> survivorship on small versus large islands. While biotic resistance against <i>S. frugiperda</i> is ubiquitous along the island chain, its magnitude differs between island contexts, seasons and ecological realms, i.e., plant canopy vs. soil surface. Hence, under our experimental context, generalist predators determine biotic resistance and exert important levels of mortality even in biodiversity-poor settings. Given the rapid pace of biodiversity loss and alien species accumulation globally, their active conservation in farmland settings (e.g., through pesticide phasedown) is pivotal to ensuring the overall resilience of production ecosystems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:12:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d278594e14e74c23b29b2824209db60a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:12:47Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj.art-d278594e14e74c23b29b2824209db60a2023-11-19T12:33:00ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472023-09-011218330410.3390/plants12183304Generalist Predators Shape Biotic Resistance along a Tropical Island ChainKris A. G. Wyckhuys0Johanna Audrey Leatemia1Muhammad Zainal Fanani2Michael J. Furlong3Baogen Gu4Buyung Asmara Ratna Hadi5Jeffij Virgowat Hasinu6Maria C. Melo7Saartje Helena Noya8Aunu Rauf9Johanna Taribuka10Yubak Dhoj Gc11Chrysalis Consulting, Danang 50000, VietnamDepartment of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Pattimura, Ambon 97233, IndonesiaDepartment of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Djuanda, Jl. Tol Jagorawi No 1, Ciawi, Bogor 16720, West Java, IndonesiaSchool of the Environment, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4067, AustraliaFood and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 00153 Rome, ItalyFood and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 00153 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Pattimura, Ambon 97233, IndonesiaSchool of the Environment, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4067, AustraliaDepartment of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Pattimura, Ambon 97233, IndonesiaDepartment of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Institut Pertanian Bogor, Jl. Kamper Kampus IPB Dramaga, Bogor 16680, West Java, IndonesiaDepartment of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Pattimura, Ambon 97233, IndonesiaFood and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Bangkok 10200, ThailandIslands offer exclusive prisms for an experimental investigation of biodiversity x ecosystem function interplay. Given that species in upper trophic layers, e.g., arthropod predators, experience a comparative disadvantage on small, isolated islands, such settings can help to clarify how predation features within biotic resistance equations. Here, we use observational and manipulative studies on a chain of nine Indonesian islands to quantify predator-mediated biotic resistance against the cassava mealybug <i>Phenacoccus manihoti</i> (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) and the fall armyworm <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Across island settings, a diverse set of generalist lacewing, spider and ladybeetle predators aggregates on <i>P. manihoti</i> infested plants, attaining max. (field-level) abundance levels of 1.0, 8.0 and 3.2 individuals per plant, respectively. Though biotic resistance—as imperfectly defined by a predator/prey ratio index—exhibits no inter-island differences, <i>P. manihoti</i> population regulation is primarily provided through an introduced monophagous parasitoid. Meanwhile, resident predators, such as soil-dwelling ants, inflict apparent mortality rates up to 100% for various <i>S. frugiperda</i> life stages, which translates into a 13- to 800-fold lower <i>S. frugiperda</i> survivorship on small versus large islands. While biotic resistance against <i>S. frugiperda</i> is ubiquitous along the island chain, its magnitude differs between island contexts, seasons and ecological realms, i.e., plant canopy vs. soil surface. Hence, under our experimental context, generalist predators determine biotic resistance and exert important levels of mortality even in biodiversity-poor settings. Given the rapid pace of biodiversity loss and alien species accumulation globally, their active conservation in farmland settings (e.g., through pesticide phasedown) is pivotal to ensuring the overall resilience of production ecosystems.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/18/3304island biogeographyglobal changebiodiversity lossbiological controlecological intensificationinvasion biology |
| spellingShingle | Kris A. G. Wyckhuys Johanna Audrey Leatemia Muhammad Zainal Fanani Michael J. Furlong Baogen Gu Buyung Asmara Ratna Hadi Jeffij Virgowat Hasinu Maria C. Melo Saartje Helena Noya Aunu Rauf Johanna Taribuka Yubak Dhoj Gc Generalist Predators Shape Biotic Resistance along a Tropical Island Chain Plants island biogeography global change biodiversity loss biological control ecological intensification invasion biology |
| title | Generalist Predators Shape Biotic Resistance along a Tropical Island Chain |
| title_full | Generalist Predators Shape Biotic Resistance along a Tropical Island Chain |
| title_fullStr | Generalist Predators Shape Biotic Resistance along a Tropical Island Chain |
| title_full_unstemmed | Generalist Predators Shape Biotic Resistance along a Tropical Island Chain |
| title_short | Generalist Predators Shape Biotic Resistance along a Tropical Island Chain |
| title_sort | generalist predators shape biotic resistance along a tropical island chain |
| topic | island biogeography global change biodiversity loss biological control ecological intensification invasion biology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/18/3304 |
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