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

控制A的强度和特异性的因素 一种灰蝶科的兼性多亲性关系 还有几种不同属的随从蚂蚁 研究了 现场操作，以确定 以下关于关联强度的每一个因素都将是 进行了：（1）灰蝶的个体表型变异 幼虫;（2）不同种类蚂蚁的反应差异 （3）寄主植物质量的变异性。 的 兼性协会的动态，占据了一个 介于偶然联想和绝对联想之间的中间位置 互惠提供了一个关键，以了解过渡， 相互作用强度 控制因素调查 兼性联想的强度将提供信息， 互惠共生的进化和维持。 本研究将 我还调查了与蚂蚁的联系是否会减少寄生 或捕食灰蝶幼虫的可能性 不同种类的蚂蚁伙伴提供不同的利益。 关联的特异性可能取决于 不同种类蚂蚁所提供的益处的大小 或者说，在面对各种各样的人的时候， 物种 确定是否有实力和利益的 蚂蚁的种类不同， 关于从多亲性过渡到 到单亲性联想，反之亦然。

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.