Coevolution can explain defensive secondary metabolite diversity in plants

• DOI: 10.1111/nph.13560
• Publication Date: 2015-08-04T15:37:44Z
• Authors: Michael P. Speed; Andy Fenton; Meriel G. Jones; Graeme D. Ruxton; Michael A. Brockh...
• Keywords: Coevolution; Secondary metabolite; Trait

Summary Many plant species produce defensive compounds that are often highly diverse within and between populations. The genetic cellular mechanisms by which metabolite diversity is produced increasingly understood, but the evolutionary explanations for persistent diversification in secondary metabolites have received less attention. Here we consider role of plant–herbivore coevolution maintenance characteristics metabolites. We present a simple model plants can evolve to invest range toxins, herbivores resistance these toxins. allow either single‐species evolution or reciprocal coevolution. Our shows maintains toxin Furthermore, there fundamental coevolutionary asymmetry their herbivores, because must resist all whereas need challenge nullify only one trait. As consequence, average fitness increases insect decreases as number toxins increases. When costs apply, showed both arms race escalation strong fluctuation concentrations across time. discuss results context other diversification.