Abstract
Increases in biodiversity can result from an increase in species richness, as well as from a higher genetic diversity within species. Intraspecific genetic diversity, measured as the number of genotypes, can enhance plant primary productivity and have cascading effects at higher trophic levels, such as an increase in herbivore and predator richness. The positive effects of genotypic mixtures are not only determined by additive effects, but also by interactions among genotypes, such as facilitation or inhibition. However, so far there has been no effort to predict the extent of such effects. In this study, we address the question of whether the magnitude of the effect of genotype number on population performance can be explained by the extent of dissimilarity in key traits among genotypes in a mixture. We examine the relative contribution of genotype number and phenotypic dissimilarity among genotypes to population performance of the soil arthropod, Orchesella cincta. Nearly homogeneous genotypes were created from inbred isofemale lines. Phenotypic dissimilarity among genotypes was assessed in terms of three life-history traits that are associated with population growth rate, i.e., egg size, egg development time, and juvenile growth rate. A microcosm experiment with genotype mixtures consisting of one, two, four, and eight genotypes, showed that genotypic richness strongly increased population size and biomass production and was associated with greater net diversity effects. Most importantly, there was a positive log-linear relationship between phenotypic dissimilarity in a mixture and the net diversity effects for juvenile population size and total biomass. In other words, the degree of phenotypic dissimilarity among genotypes determined the magnitude of the genotypic richness effect, although this relationship leveled off at higher values of phenotypic dissimilarity. Although the exact mechanisms responsible for these effects are currently unknown, similar advantages of trait dissimilarity have been found among species. Hence, to better understand population performance, genotype number and phenotypic dissimilarity should be considered collectively.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1605-1615 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Ecology |
Volume | 92 |
Issue number | 8 |
Early online date | 1 Aug 2011 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2011 |
Keywords
- Animals
- Biomass
- Genetic Variation
- Genotype
- Insects
- Population Dynamics
- Population Growth
- Journal Article
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Appendix B. UPGMA dendrogram based on Nei’s genetic distance between genotypes.
Ellers, J. (Contributor), Rog, S. (Contributor), Braam, C. (Contributor) & Berg, M. (Contributor), Unknown Publisher, 1 Jan 2016
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.3551721.v1, https://wiley.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Appendix_B_UPGMA_dendrogram_based_on_Nei_s_genetic_distance_between_genotypes_/3551721/1
Dataset / Software: Dataset
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Appendix A. Key variables of the genotype mixtures used for the mixed microcosms.
Ellers, J. (Contributor), Rog, S. (Contributor), Braam, C. (Contributor) & Berg, M. (Contributor), Unknown Publisher, 1 Jan 2016
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.3551724.v1, https://wiley.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Appendix_A_Key_variables_of_the_genotype_mixtures_used_for_the_mixed_microcosms_/3551724/1
Dataset / Software: Dataset
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Appendix B. UPGMA dendrogram based on Nei’s genetic distance between genotypes.
Ellers, J. (Contributor), Rog, S. (Creator), Braam, C. (Creator) & Berg, M. (Creator), Figshare, 2016
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.3551721, https://figshare.com/articles/Appendix_B_UPGMA_dendrogram_based_on_Nei_s_genetic_distance_between_genotypes_/3551721
Dataset / Software: Dataset