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An insect-induced novel plant phenotype for sustaining social life in a closed system

Author

Listed:
  • Mayako Kutsukake

    (Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST))

  • Xian-Ying Meng

    (Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST))

  • Noboru Katayama

    (Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University)

  • Naruo Nikoh

    (The Open University of Japan)

  • Harunobu Shibao

    (University of Tokyo)

  • Takema Fukatsu

    (Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST))

Abstract

Foraging, defense and waste disposal are essential for sustaining social insect colonies. Hence, their nest generally has an open structure, wherein specialized castes called workers and soldiers perform these tasks. However, some social aphids form completely closed galls, wherein hundreds to thousands of insects grow and reproduce for several months in isolation. Why these social aphids are not drowned by accumulated honeydew has been an enigma. Here we report a sophisticated biological solution to the waste problem in the closed system: the gall inner surface is specialized for absorbing water, whereby honeydew is promptly removed via the plant vascular system. The water-absorbing closed galls have evolved at least twice independently among social aphids. The plant-mediated waste removal, which entails insect’s manipulation of plant morphogenesis and physiology, comprises a previously unknown mechanism of nest cleaning, which can be regarded as ‘extended phenotype’ and ‘indirect social behavior’ of the social aphids.

Suggested Citation

  • Mayako Kutsukake & Xian-Ying Meng & Noboru Katayama & Naruo Nikoh & Harunobu Shibao & Takema Fukatsu, 2012. "An insect-induced novel plant phenotype for sustaining social life in a closed system," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 3(1), pages 1-8, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:3:y:2012:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms2187
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2187
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    Cited by:

    1. Qin Lu & Hang Chen & Jinwen Zhang & Weiwei Wang & Yongzhong Cui & Juan Liu, 2023. "A study on the effect of host plants on Chinese gallnut morphogenesis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(3), pages 1-19, March.

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