Coevolution and the adaptive value of autumn tree colours: colour preference and growth rates of a southern beech aphid

The evolutionary explanation for the change in leaf colour during autumn is still debated. Autumn colours could be a signal of defensive commitment towards insects (coevolution) or an adaptation against physical damage because of light at low temperatures (photoprotection). These two hypotheses have...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of evolutionary biology 2008, Vol.21 (1), p.49-56
Main Authors: RAMÍREZ, C.C, LAVANDERO, B, ARCHETTI, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Aphidoidea
aphids
Aphids - growth & development
Aphids - physiology
Autumn
autumn colours
Biological Evolution
coevolution
Color
Evolutionary biology
Fagaceae - parasitology
Fagaceae - physiology
Food Preferences - physiology
Host-Parasite Interactions - physiology
Insects
Light
Neuquenaphis staryi
Nothofagus
photoprotection
photostability
Photosynthesis - physiology
Pigmentation - physiology
Population Density
preference
Seasons
Trees
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Summary:The evolutionary explanation for the change in leaf colour during autumn is still debated. Autumn colours could be a signal of defensive commitment towards insects (coevolution) or an adaptation against physical damage because of light at low temperatures (photoprotection). These two hypotheses have different predictions: (1) under the coevolution hypothesis, insects should not prefer red leaves in autumn and grow better in spring on trees with green autumn leaves; and (2) under the photoprotection hypothesis, insects should prefer and grow better on trees with red leaves because they provide better nutrition. Studying colour preference in autumn and growth rates in spring of a southern beech aphid species (Neuquenaphis staryi) on Nothofagus alessandrii, we found preference for green leaves in autumn but no differential performance of aphids in spring. We suggest that aphid preference for green might have evolved to exploit better their host during the autumn rather than to improve their performance in spring.
ISSN:1010-061X
1420-9101
DOI:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2007.01469.x