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MSThesis_LauraFehling.pdf (931.62 KB)

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Reward Complementarity and Context Dependency in Multispecies Mutualist Interactions in Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)

Fehling, Laura Sharon
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5179-3213
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1653493649405494

Abstract Details

2022, Master of Science in Botany, Miami University, Biology.
To test the complementarity of partner rewards and context dependency in a multispecies mutualism, we used the Chamaecrista fasciculata system comprising the focal plant species and four mutualist partner groups: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, rhizobia bacteria, ants, and pollinators. We manipulated the presence of mycorrhizae, rhizobia, ants, and two watering conditions (dry and wet). We anticipated all partners would benefit plants and that multiple partners would confer synergistic benefits to plant fitness. We found that only when all three partners were present, did plants receive synergistic benefits, while two partner combinations produced subadditive effects. The visitation or abundance of some mutualist partners was affected by the presence of at least one other partner. Additionally, we observed that the effects of ants and mycorrhizae on their partners were contextually dependent on the watering treatment of the plants. Overall, our analyses show that partner composition and diversity can have unexpected effects and that mutualist interactions have the potential to shift under future climate change and affect the fitness of the focal plant species in ways we might not expect.
Martin Stevens (Advisor)
David Gorchov (Committee Member)
Jonathan Bauer (Committee Member)
46 p.
Botany; Ecology
mutualism; complementarity; context dependency; symbiosis; chamaecrista fasciculata; arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; rhizobia; ants; pollinators

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Fehling, L. S. (2022). Reward Complementarity and Context Dependency in Multispecies Mutualist Interactions in Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1653493649405494

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Fehling, Laura. Reward Complementarity and Context Dependency in Multispecies Mutualist Interactions in Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata). 2022. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1653493649405494.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Fehling, Laura. "Reward Complementarity and Context Dependency in Multispecies Mutualist Interactions in Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2022. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1653493649405494

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1653493649405494
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This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.