A5077246425- Plant and animal studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Cocoa and Sweet Potato Agronomy
- Nematode management and characterization studies
- Plant and fungal interactions
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Plant and Fungal Species Descriptions
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Phytochemistry and biological activities of Ficus species
- Plant Diversity and Evolution
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Fungal Biology and Applications
- Banana Cultivation and Research
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
2013-2025
Smithsonian Institution
2011-2023
University College Cork
2007
Universidad Nacional de Colombia
2007
University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras
2007
University of Arizona
2003-2005
Centre d'Écologie Fonctionnelle et Évolutive
2004
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
2004
University of Pretoria
2004
Leiden University
2003
Every plant species examined to date harbors endophytic fungi within its asymptomatic aerial tissues, such that endophytes represent a ubiquitous, yet cryptic, component of terrestrial communities. Fungal associated with leaves woody angiosperms are especially diverse; yet, fundamental aspects their interactions hosts unknown. In contrast the relatively species-poor vertically transmitted and act as defensive mutualists some temperate grasses, diverse, horizontally thought contribute little...
It is often assumed that parasitic and disease-producing organisms tend to evolve benign relationships with their hosts over time. In contrast, theoretical arguments suggest increased opportunities for parasite transmission will promote the evolution of virulence. The natural history species-specific nematodes parasitize fig-pollinating wasps permits testing these predictions in populations. For 11 species Panamanian fig wasps, those characterized by population structures result harbor more...
Abstract We have used molecular techniques to investigate the diversity and distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi colonizing tree seedling roots in tropical forest on Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Republic Panama. In first year, we sampled newly emergent seedlings understory treelet Faramea occidentalis canopy Tetragastris panamensis , from mixed carpets at each two sites. The following year surviving these cohorts. 48 plants were analysed using AM fungal‐specific primers amplify...
The effects of inbreeding and local mate competition have often been confounded in theoretical empirical studies sex ratio. A general model considering the interplay their influences on ratio evolution is presented, its predictions are compared with data collected from three fig wasp species. results indicate that female wasps adjust offspring response to both intensity proximate level population.
Over the past decade a proliferation of research has enriched and dramatically altered our understanding biology figs, their pollinator wasps, myriad other organisms that depend on them. Ecologically, this work underscores crucial role fig fruits play in sustaining shaping tropical frugivore communities. More generally, addresses several key issues evolutionary ecology, including evolution breeding systems (shifts between monoecy dioecy), factors promote stability mutualisms, precision...
Colletotrichum interacts with numerous plant species overtly as symptomatic pathogens and cryptically asymptomatic endophytes. It is not known whether these contrasting ecological modes are optional strategies expressed by individual or a species' ecology explicitly pathogenic endophytic. We explored this question inferring relationships among 77 C. gloeosporioides s.l. strains isolated from leaves anthracnose lesions on fruits of Theobroma cacao (cacao) other plants Panamá. ITS 5'-tef1 were...
Fig-pollinating wasps have provided model systems for developing and testing theories of the evolution mutualism, sex allocation, precision adaptation. With few exceptions, previous studies assumed one species pollinator wasp per host fig species. Here we report genetic data demonstrating coexistence previously undetected cryptic in at least half surveyed. The substantial mitochondrial sequence differences (4.2–6.1%) imply old divergences (≈1.5–5.1 million years ago) among these Furthermore,...
Nucleotide sequences from the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene were used to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among 15 genera of fig-pollinating wasps. We present evidence supporting broad-level co-cladogenesis with respect most but not all corresponding groups figs. Using fossil for calibrating a molecular clock these data, we estimated origin fig-wasp mutualism have occurred ca. 90 million years ago. The divergence times pollinator and their current geographical distributions...
Fungal endophytes inhabit healthy tissues of all terrestrial plant taxa studied to date and are diverse abundant in leaves tropical woody angiosperms. Studies have demonstrated that location leaf age influence density endophyte infection forest trees. However, ecological factors underlying these observations not been explored detail. Here, we establish foliar a tree (Theobroma cacao, Malvaceae) transmitted horizontally endophyte-free seedlings can be produced for experimental manipulation by...
Abstract. Long‐term studies of a Panamanian fig community have revealed that the figs separate into two major groups based on distinct patterns in fruit characteristics including size, colour, scent and synchrony ripening. Furthermore, these differences can be linked to sensory, morphological behavioural capabilities figs' primary dispersers. One group attracts primarily bats; other is visited mainly by birds. Whereas fruits ‘bat’ span wide range size classes, ripen synchronously remain...
Theory predicts that mutualisms should be vulnerable to invasion by cheaters, yet mutualistic interactions are both ancient and diverse. What prevents one partner from reaping the benefits of interaction without paying costs? Using field experiments observations, we examined factors affecting mutualism stability in six fig tree-fig wasp species pairs. We experimentally compared fitness wasps did or not perform their most basic service, pollination. found host sanctions reduced...