Phenotypic plasticity in specialists: How long-spined larval Sympetrum depressiusculum (Odonata: Libellulidae) responds to combined predator cues

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F61988987%3A17310%2F18%3AA1901VD4" target="_blank" >RIV/61988987:17310/18:A1901VD4 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0201406" target="_blank" >https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0201406</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201406" target="_blank" >10.1371/journal.pone.0201406</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Phenotypic plasticity in specialists: How long-spined larval Sympetrum depressiusculum (Odonata: Libellulidae) responds to combined predator cues

Original language description

Larvae of generalist dragonflies can elongate their abdominal spines in environments with fish, but long spines render larvae susceptible to invertebrate predators. Long-spined specialists adapted to fish-heavy habitats are not expected to have phenotypic plasticity in this defence trait, but no empirical studies have been undertaken. Moreover, in comparison to prey responding to multiple predators that induce similar phenotypes, relatively little is known regarding how species react to combinations of predators that favour opposing traits. We examined plasticity of larval dragonfly Sympetrum depressiusculum, a long-spined habitat specialist. In a rearing experiment, larvae were exposed to four environments: (i) no predator control, (ii) fish cues (Carassius auratus), (iii) invertebrate cues (Anax imperator), as well as (iv) a combination of (ii) and (iii). Compared with the control, fish but not invertebrate cues resulted in longer spines for two (one lateral, one dorsal) of the six spines measured. Interestingly, the combined-cue treatment led to the elongation of all four dorsal spines compared with the fish treatment alone, whereas lateral spines showed no response. Our experiment provided evidence of morphological plasticity in a long-spined specialist dragonfly. We showed that nearly all spines can elongate, but also react differently under specific predator settings. Therefore, while spine plasticity evolved in direct response to a single predator type (fish), plasticity was maintained against invertebrate predators as long as fish were also present. Selective spine induction under the combined condition suggests that S. depressiusculum can successfully survive in environments with both predators. Therefore, phenotypic plasticity may be an effective strategy for habitat generalists and specialists.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10618 - Ecology

Project

Result was created during the realization of more than one project. More information in the Projects tab.

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2018

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

PLoS One

ISSN

1932-6203

e-ISSN

—

Volume of the periodical

13

Issue of the periodical within the volume

8

Country of publishing house

US - UNITED STATES

Number of pages

15

Pages from-to

e0201406-e0201406

UT code for WoS article

000441090300039

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85051406908