Coexistence of Trichome Variation in a Natural Plant Population
Author Information
Author(s): Kawagoe Tetsuhiro, Shimizu Kentaro K., Kakutani Tetsuji, Kudoh Hiroshi
Primary Institution: Kobe University
Hypothesis
How is the variation in trichome production maintained in a natural population of Arabidopsis halleri subsp. gemmifera?
Conclusion
Hairy and glabrous plants showed equivalent fitness under natural herbivory, suggesting that both phenotypes can coexist despite the costs associated with trichome production.
Supporting Evidence
- Half of the individuals in the study population produced trichomes while the other half were glabrous.
- The fitness of hairy and glabrous plants showed no significant differences in the field during two years.
- A fitness cost of trichome production was detected under weak herbivory conditions.
- The pattern of polymorphism of the candidate trichome gene GLABROUS1 showed no evidence of long-term maintenance of trichome variation.
Takeaway
Some plants have hairy leaves while others are smooth, and both types can live together because they do equally well even when bugs try to eat them.
Methodology
Field census and insect-removal experiments were conducted to assess the fitness consequences of trichome variation.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to environmental factors not controlled in the field experiments.
Limitations
The study was limited to a single population and may not generalize to other populations or species.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on a natural population of Arabidopsis halleri subsp. gemmifera in Japan.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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