Dissertation Research: Investigation of the Strength and Specificity of Association in a Facultative Polyphilic Mutualism

将研究控制狼蛛类蝴蝶和不同属的几种伴随者之间兼性多亲结合的强度和特异性的因素。将进行田间操作，以确定以下每个因素对联合强度的影响：(1)狼蛛幼虫的个体表型变异；(2)不同种类的蚂蚁伴生的反应的变异；以及(3)寄主植物质量的变异。兼性联想在偶然联想和专有互惠之间居于中间地位，它的动态为理解互动强度的转变提供了一把钥匙。对控制兼性联系强度的因素的调查将提供关于互惠关系的演变和维持的信息。这项研究还将调查与蚂蚁的联系是否会减少对狼蛛幼虫的寄生或捕食，以及不同种类的蚂蚁伙伴提供不同好处的可能性。这种联系的特异性可能取决于不同种类的蚂蚁伙伴所提供的益处的不同程度，或者取决于遇到不同种类的蚂蚁的可靠性。确定这种联系的强度和益处是否随服务员的种类而变化，将提供从多亲联系到单亲联系以及从单亲联系过渡到多亲联系的权衡信息。

The factors controlling the strength and specificity of a facultative polyphilic association between a lycaenid butterfly and several species of attendant ants in different genera will be investigated. Field manipulations to determine the effect of each of the following factors on strength of association will be conducted: (1) individual phenotypic variability in lycaenid larvae; (2) variability in response by different species of ant associates; and (3) variability in host plant quality. The dynamics of facultative associations, which occupy an intermediate position between casual associations and obligate mutualisms provide a key to understanding the transitions in interaction strength. Investigation of the factors controlling the strength of facultative associations will provide information on the evolution and maintenance of mutualism. This study will also investigate whether association with ants reduces parasitism or predation of the lycaenid larva, and the possibility that various species of ant associates provide differential benefits. Specificity of the association may depend on the differential magnitude of the benefits provided by the various species of ant associates or on the dependability of encountering the various species. Determining if the strength and benefits of the association vary with the species of ant attendant will provide information on the trade-offs of the transition from polyphilic to monophilic association, and vice versa.