Ecological consequences of genetic variation: does genetic variation in a keystone parasitic plant species drive community response to infection?
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Life Sciences
Abstract
This work is concerned with the ecological consequences of genetic variation. Ecological communities are made up of populations of many interacting species. Different types of interactions between species (e.g. parasitism, competition, predator-prey interactions) will have different consequences for the individual players involved. The effects of interactions between two species can often also be seen on the whole community, in the presence, absence, abundance or behaviour of different species. Within a population of a single species, individuals will vary in their response to the environment and to other interacting species. If this variation has a genetic basis and is linked to the fitness of the individual it can be selected upon and the population can adapt and evolve. Genetic differences among individuals within a single species can change the outcome of the interactions between that species and other partners. These differences can often be seen at the community level as changes in species diversity or abundance. Changes in community species diversity caused by genetic variation within individuals can have large implications for the conservation and management of ecological communities and in how they respond to environmental change. The study focuses on the parasitic interactions of a single species with its hosts, how genetic variation within the parasite changes the outcome of interactions with host species, and the effect that this has on host community species diversity. The focal species is a parasitic plant called Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor L.), which is common to grasslands in the UK, Europe and some parts of North America. Presence of Yellow Rattle within grassland can have profound effects on the wider community. Direct interactions with host plants indirectly change the competitive interactions between plants in the community, and can result in an increase in plant species diversity. Previous experimental work has shown that the outcome of interactions between Yellow Rattle and its hosts depends on genetic variation within host and parasite. The key aims of this work are to discover whether genetic diversity in the parasite population (high diversity verses low diversity), specific genetic identity of the parasite (the effects of individual genotypes), or geographic origin of the yellow rattle are important factors in determining the outcome of infection on the host community, and the resultant change in host community species biodiversity. Secondary aims are to examine the role that host species diversity plays in conjunction with parasite genetic diversity in shaping grassland community structure. The work will provide valuable information for conservation management policy on how important genetic diversity is in maintaining species biodiversity in ecological communities. The research will begin in 2011 and continue for 3 years. It will be undertaken at the University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton and will build on current work by researchers at the University on the ecology of Yellow Rattle. Genetic analysis of Yellow Rattle will be undertaken at, and in collaboration with, researchers from the NERC Biomolecular facility in Sheffield.
Publications
Bailey JK
(2012)
New frontiers in community and ecosystem genetics for theory, conservation, and management.
in The New phytologist
Khudr, M.S., Potter, T., Rowntree, J.K., Preziosi, R.F.
(2014)
Advances in Ecological Research, Volume 50, Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics
Moya-Laraño J
(2012)
Global Change in Multispecies Systems Part 2
Moya-Laraño, J
(2014)
Advances in Ecological Research (Volume 50) - Eco evolutionary dynamics
Penney D
(2012)
Seed predation of yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor by Phytomyza varies (Diptera:Agromyzidae), with new British records
in British Journal of Entomology and Natural History
Rowntree J
(2014)
The effect of multiple host species on a keystone parasitic plant and its aphid herbivores
in Functional Ecology
Rowntree J
(2018)
The contrasting roles of host species diversity and parasite population genetic diversity in the infection dynamics of a keystone parasitic plant
in Journal of Ecology
Rowntree JK
(2014)
The genetics of indirect ecological effects-plant parasites and aphid herbivores.
in Frontiers in genetics
Schoener T
(2014)
Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics
Description | The purpose of this project was to investigate the importance of diversity both within (genetically based) and among species in ecological communities. I have shown that both species and genetic diversity are important things to consider when managing land for conservation or agriculture. |
Exploitation Route | My work provides insights into the dynamics and management of grassland and productive systems. This has potential implications for management of land for both conservation and agriculture. My work also illuminates the role of within species genetic variation on among species interactions. I have applied this to plant-parasite, plant pollinator and host-parasite systems and there are potential benefits, in particular to the management of agricultural areas for pollinators and other associated diversity that arise from my findings. |
Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
Description | Some of my findings will be used by Oliver Seeds in their seed catalogues to show how well clover cultivars attract pollinators to environmental seed mixtures. |
First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Daphne Jackson Trust Fellowship |
Amount | £56,173 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Surrey |
Department | Daphne Jackson Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2015 |
End | 12/2017 |
Description | Developing industrial links for CenGESS |
Amount | £10,567 (GBP) |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2014 |
End | 04/2015 |
Description | NERC Impact accelerator concept and feasibility |
Amount | £14,991 (GBP) |
Organisation | Research Councils UK (RCUK) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2013 |
Description | NERC Impact accelerator grant |
Amount | £10,212 (GBP) |
Organisation | Research Councils UK (RCUK) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2013 |
End | 03/2013 |
Description | University of Manchester, Faculty of Life Sciences 'Promoting Interface Networking (PIN) initiative' |
Amount | £9,811 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Manchester |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2013 |
End | 12/2013 |
Title | Data from: Biodiversity in agricultural landscapes: the effect of apple cultivar on epiphyte diversity |
Description | |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Title | Data from: The contrasting role of host species diversity and parasite genetic diversity - Journal of Ecology |
Description | Raw data and R scripts of analyses performed were deposited in Dryad Digital Repository |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Unknown to date |
URL | https://datadryad.org/handle/10255/dryad.186474 |
Description | Temporal dynamism, soil processes and niche complementarity: novel approaches to understanding the diversity-function relationships |
Organisation | James Hutton Institute |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | This project is a 50:50 funded joint PhD studentship (starting date September 2016) where half of the funding comes from The University of Manchester. Myself and a colleague are supervising the student and managing the project with two members of JHI staff. |
Collaborator Contribution | This project is a 50:50 funded joint PhD studentship where half of the funding comes from The James Hutton Institute. Two members of JHI staff are co supervising the student and managing the project with myself and a colleague. |
Impact | Studentship agreement between The University of Manchester and The James Hutton Institute. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | A sustainable future |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Public engagement and outreach event at Manchester Museum - part of the adult education series 'Museum Meets' The links between academic and support staff in the university have been strengthened as have the links between the university and the city council. For example, we are beginning to integrate the university's biodiversity plan into research and teaching activities and incorporate placements at the city council for our post graduate students. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Big Saturday Event on Parasitic Plants at Manchester Museum |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Outreach activity at Manchester Museum on Parasitic Plants Closer contacts developed with Museum staff, knowledge exchange wit local community. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Cafe Scientifique talk - Vampire Plant Diaries |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talk at Manchester Cafe Scientifique on parasitic plants. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Food@Manchester |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | I was filmed and interviewed for an initiative bringing together and advertising the research occurring at The University of Manchester that has a potential impact on food security. The result is a collection of videos on Youtube. I received some feedback from viewers saying that they found the video interesting |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
URL | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8cDKgwQs6c |
Description | HEIF grant to develop links with local beekeeping organisations |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Visits to multiple beekeeping organisations across the North West and visits to national organisations and public bodies. The aim was to discuss research plans and recruit study participants. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016 |
Description | Performance art event organised by the Bristol Diving School collective 'The anatomy of seeing. A conversation' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The event sparked a lively discussion with and among the audience The most notable impact for me was that it brought my research to a completely different audience, namely the artistic community. It was a very enjoyable and stimulating event that broke down some of the barriers between art and science. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Public lecture at Manchester Museum as part of the 'From the War of Nature exhibition' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The talk was well received and there were lots on interesting questions asked. The museum had provided specimens for the audience to look at, which engaged them in further discussion. People seemed interested and to have learnt something from the activity |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Royal Society Partnership grant (Beehaviour) with Bolton School (Dr M Proctor) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | I was a partner on a Royal Society grant with Dr M Proctor at Bolton School. We devised and carried out a small research project with pupils at the school and undergraduates at the University of Manchester on how bumblebees respond to different flowers. The students set up an experiment and collected data over a number of months that was then compared to similar data collected by undergraduates for their projects. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015,2016 |