A Model for Species Interactions: Costs and Benefits of Linked Herbivory/pollination in Datura Wrightii and Manduca Sexta

物种间相互作用的模型：在曼陀罗和曼陀罗中链接的植食/授粉的成本和收益亚利桑那大学朱迪思L.互惠（物种间的互利相互作用）是生物系统的关键组成部分，但很少有实验研究。 该项目将采取以生理学为基础的实地和实验室方法，研究常见的天蛾（Manduca sexta）和它主要依赖于亚利桑那州的植物（Datura wrightii）之间相互作用的成本，效益和相互净效应。 与其他一些通性鳞翅目昆虫一样，M. sexta既是同一种植物的主要传粉者，又是破坏性的食草动物。 这项研究将通过观察和实验研究，确定和量化双方互动的成本和效益。 这些数据将允许探索授粉的好处和植物所经历的植食动物的成本之间的联系，以及植食动物对植物的成本和昆虫消费的好处之间的交叉联系。 在建立充满活力和健身曼陀罗和Manduca之间的关系，这项研究将建议和促进未来的定量调查互惠，最不了解物种的相互作用。 此外，这些研究将阐明授粉和草食动物如何相互作用以调节植物适应性的一般问题，以及沙漠植物和动物的生理生态学。 该项目代表了三位具有不同背景和专业领域的研究人员之间的合作，并将促进跨植物和动物生物学的新的跨学科方法。 烟草天蛾是一种重要的农业害虫，本项目的研究成果也具有重要的应用价值。 该项目的本科生将从亚利桑那大学的一个项目中招募，该项目积极鼓励为代表性不足的群体提供研究机会。

A model for species interactions: Costs and benefits of Linked herbivory/pollination in Datura wrightii and Manduca sextaBronstein, Judith L.University of ArizonaMutualisms (reciprocally beneficial interactions between species) are critical components of biological systems, yet have received little experimental study. This project will take a physiologically-based field and laboratory approach to studying the costs, benefits, and reciprocal net effects of interactions between the common hawkmoth (Manduca sexta) and the plant upon which it primarily depends in Arizona (Datura wrightii). Like certain other generalist Lepidoptera, M. sexta acts as both a primary pollinator and a damaging herbivore of the same plant species. This study will identify and quantify costs and benefits of the interaction to both partners, via observational and experimental studies. These data will allow exploration of the link between the benefit of pollination and the cost of herbivory experienced by the plant, and the cross-link between the cost of herbivory to the plant and the benefit of consumption to the insect. In establishing the energetic and fitness relationships between Datura and Manduca, this study will both suggest and facilitate future quantitative investigations into mutualisms, the most poorly understood species interaction. Furthermore, these studies will shed light on the general problem of how pollination and herbivory interact to regulate plant fitness, as well as on the physiological ecology of desert plants and animals. This project represents a collaboration among three researchers with distinct backgrounds and areas of expertise, and will foster novel interdisciplinary approaches cutting across plant and animal biology. Manduca sexta is a major agricultural pest, so the results of this project should have significant applied value as well. Undergraduates employed in this project will be recruited from a program at the University of Arizona that actively encourages research opportunities for under-represented groups.