A framework for using phoresy to assess ecological transition into parasitism and mutualism
Journal
Symbiosis
Journal Volume
86
Journal Issue
2
Pages
133-138
Date Issued
2022
Author(s)
Sun S.-J.
Abstract
Phoresy is commonly considered to be a commensal interaction, in which one species hitches a ride upon a different species for dispersal among resource patches. Despite being ubiquitous, phoretic interactions are poorly investigated, limiting our current understanding of its ecological and evolutionary consequences. Furthermore, phoresy can be a precursor for different types of symbiotic interactions, including parasitism, yet empirical tests for this long-standing hypothesis are rare. Using burying beetles and their phoretic mites as a model phoresy, I review and synthesise the ecological processes driving the transition of commensalism to parasitism and/or mutualism. I argue that density-dependent effects, resource availability, life history stage, and community context all play significant roles, both during and after the transportation stage. Understanding how these factors drive variation in interaction outcomes in rapidly changing environments presents one of the major challenges in evolutionary ecology. Finally, I highlight some important future directions and research areas that will advance our understanding of the ecology and evolution of phoresy and symbiotic interactions as a whole. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.
Subjects
Burying beetles; Interspecific interactions; Mutualism; Parasitism; Phoretic mites
Other Subjects
beetle; commensal; commensalism; dispersal; interspecific interaction; life history; mite; mutualism; parasitism
Type
journal article