Convergent multispecies interactions in coprophagous pitcher plant species

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Here we propose a multidisciplinary, collaborative project that involves research groups from five universities in four countries. We will investigate pitcher plant species that independently evolved coprophagy as novel nutrient acquisition strategy and their interactions with mammal mutualism partners and the microbial communities within the plants' digestive fluid. By comparing coprophagous plant species with each other and with their arthropod-capturing relatives my collaborators and I will reveal possible convergent adaptations and convergent interactions with their microbial communities. We will study the communalities and the differences of these multispecies interactions and of the plants' traits. These results will allow us to draw conclusions on the selective pressures that drive the evolution of these interactions. In addition to many fascinating research questions on these specific systems that remain to be answered (e.g., why these plants switched from carnivory to coprophagy as preferred nutrient-acquisition strategy), this project will shed light on some of the most interesting general questions in mutualistic research: 1) Which traits of the partner species facilitate mutualistic interactions? 2) Are mutualistic interactions included in a larger network of further participants, e.g., microbes, and if this is the case, how do the different involved species interact? 3) Can similar adaptations and community structures be found in similar types of mutualisms? 4) What are the selective pressures leading to convergent adaptations and community structures in interspecific interactions? To address these questions, my collaborators and I will conduct elaborated field and lab experiments and use state-of-the-art technologies such as Next Generation Sequencing and metaproteomics. The results will be transferable to a wide range of mutualisms, e.g., to further animal-plant mutualisms and their microbial interaction partners. Moreover, this project will contribute to a better understanding of other digestive mutualisms, including ant-plant mutualisms and mutualisms between animals and microbes in their intestinal tracts. Finally, by providing novel insights into these animal-plant-microbe interactions we hope to inspire novel theoretical approaches on the origin and evolution of mutualisms.