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Asymmetric indirect interactions mediated by a shared parasitoid: connecting species traits and local distribution patterns for two chrysomelid beetles

  • Community Ecology
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Abstract

This paper reports on an asymmetric indirect interaction between two chrysomelid beetles where one species (Galerucella tenella) experiences higher parasitization, and the other species (Galerucella calmariensis) lower parasitization, in mixed compared with monospecific populations. This pattern is likely to be a consequence of differences in life history characteristics, where the inferior species has a smaller body size, a lower fecundity and supports a lower parasitoid density than the superior species. This connection between life history characteristics and interspecific dominance in host–parasitoid systems corresponds to predictions from current community ecology theory, and provides a useful building-block in the development of a predictive theory of parasitoid effects on host coexistence.

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Acknowledgements

This paper was improved through comments by Bob Holt, Thomas Hoffmeister and an anonymous referee, and the language was checked by Helen Quested. We thank Anna Sandhammar, Anna-Maria Eriksson, Aron Ericson, Ingrid Ericson, Miriam Ericson, Staffan Ericson and Einar Nordström who assisted in field and laboratory studies. Funding was provided by the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet) to L.E. and P.A.H.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden

    Peter A. Hambäck

  2. Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden

    Johan A. Stenberg & Lars Ericson

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  1. Peter A. Hambäck
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  2. Johan A. Stenberg
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  3. Lars Ericson
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Correspondence to Peter A. Hambäck.

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Communicated by Thomas Hoffmeister

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Hambäck, P.A., Stenberg, J.A. & Ericson, L. Asymmetric indirect interactions mediated by a shared parasitoid: connecting species traits and local distribution patterns for two chrysomelid beetles. Oecologia 148, 475–481 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-006-0387-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-006-0387-2

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