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2015 ; 112
(4
): 1101-6
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Aggressive mimicry coexists with mutualism in an aphid
#MMPMID25583474
Salazar A
; Fürstenau B
; Quero C
; Pérez-Hidalgo N
; Carazo P
; Font E
; Martínez-Torres D
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
2015[Jan]; 112
(4
): 1101-6
PMID25583474
show ga
Understanding the evolutionary transition from interspecific exploitation to
cooperation is a major challenge in evolutionary biology. Ant-aphid relationships
represent an ideal system to this end because they encompass a coevolutionary
continuum of interactions ranging from mutualism to antagonism. In this study, we
report an unprecedented interaction along this continuum: aggressive mimicry in
aphids. We show that two morphs clonally produced by the aphid Paracletus
cimiciformis during its root-dwelling phase establish relationships with ants at
opposite sides of the mutualism-antagonism continuum. Although one of these
morphs exhibits the conventional trophobiotic (mutualistic) relationship with
ants of the genus Tetramorium, aphids of the alternative morph are transported by
the ants to their brood chamber and cared for as if they were true ant larvae.
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses reveal that the innate cuticular
hydrocarbon profile of the mimic morph resembles the profile of ant larvae more
than that of the alternative, genetically identical nonmimic morph. Furthermore,
we show that, once in the brood chamber, mimic aphids suck on ant larva
hemolymph. These results not only add aphids to the limited list of arthropods
known to biosynthesize the cuticular chemicals of their deceived hosts to exploit
their resources but describe a remarkable case of plastic aggressive mimicry. The
present work adds a previously unidentified dimension to the classical textbook
paradigm of aphid-ant relationships by showcasing a complex system at the
evolutionary interface between cooperation and exploitation.
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