Heat waves and phenotypic plasticity in an acarine predator-prey relationship
Abstract
Heat waves are considered to be one of the most detrimental aspects of climate warming for ectothermic predators and prey, because the diurnal maximum temperatures during heat waves often exceed their thermal tolerances resulting in direct negative consequences on vital traits. Plastic modifications might be a mechanism that allows ectotherms to cope with heat waves. The trophic sensitivity hypothesis predicts that predators are more negatively affected by heat waves than their prey. Here, I propose to verify this hypothesis using the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis and its herbivorous prey Tetranychus urticae as study species by evaluating their plastic potential to heat waves. The costs and benefits of plastic modifications to heat waves are investigated in the parental and filial-generation for the following predator and prey traits: (1) the defense behavior of the prey; (2) the development, reproduction and survival of predator and prey; and (3) the population dynamics of predator and prey under heat wave conditions. Finally, an individual-based model will be developed to estimate the population dynamics of predator and prey under common summer and heat wave conditions. This study can provide an important contribution to the controversial debate, whether intra-generational plasticity and/or parental effects of ectotherms are sufficient to adapt to heat waves. Moreover, the study subjects are one of the most prominent predator-prey couples in biological control. Consequently, the results should indicate whether sufficient spider mite control is also ensured by P. persimilis under heat stress.
keywords heat waves trans-generational plasticity predator-prey interaction mites biological control
Publikationen
Von Jägern und Gejagten: Hitze und ihre Auswirkungen auf Schädlingspopulationen und die Räuber-Beute-Beziehung
Autoren: Koschier, EH; Walzer, A Jahr: 2020
Newspaper / Magazine article
Project staff
Andreas Walzer
Mag. Dr. Andreas Walzer
andreas.walzer@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-95308
Project Leader
01.09.2019 - 01.03.2025