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Host–enemy interactions provide limited biotic resistance for a range‐expanding species via reduced apparent competition
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Host–enemy interactions provide limited biotic resistance for a range‐expanding species via reduced apparent competition

Kirsten M. Prior, Dylan G. Jones, Shannon A. Meadley-Dunphy, Susan Lee, Alyson K. Milks, Sage Daughton, Andrew A. Forbes and Thomas H. Q. Powell
Diversity & distributions, Vol.29(11), pp.1355-1370
11/2023
DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13763
url
https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13763View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Abstract Aim As species' ranges shift poleward in response to anthropogenic change, they may lose antagonistic interactions if they move into less diverse communities, fail to interact with novel populations or species effectively, or if ancestral interacting populations or species fail to shift synchronously. We leveraged a poleward range expansion in a tractable insect host–enemy community to uncover mechanisms by which altered antagonistic interactions between native and recipient communities contributed to ‘high niche opportunities’ (limited biotic resistance) for a range‐expanding insect. Location North America, Pacific Northwest. Methods We created quantitative insect host–enemy interaction networks by sampling oak gall wasps on 400 trees of a dominant oak species in the native and expanded range of a range‐expanding gall wasp species. We compared host–enemy network structure between regions. We measured traits (phenology, morphology) of galls and interacting parasitoids, predicting greater trait divergence in the expanded range. We measured function relating to host control and explored if altered interactions and traits contributed to reduced function, or biotic resistance. Results Interaction networks had fewer species in the expanded range and lower complementarity of parasitoid assemblages among host species. While networks were more generalized, interactions with the range‐expanding species were more specialized in the expanded range. Specialist enemies effectively tracked the range‐expanding host, and there was reduced apparent competition with co‐occurring hosts by shared generalist enemies. Phenological divergence of enemy assemblages interacting with the range‐expanding and co‐occurring hosts was greater in the expanded range, potentially contributing to weak apparent competition. Biotic resistance was lower in the expanded range, where fewer parasitoids emerged from galls of the range‐expanding host. Main Conclusions Changes in interactions with generalist enemies created high niche opportunities, and limited biotic resistance, suggesting weak apparent competition may be a mechanism of enemy release for range‐expanding insects embedded within generalist enemy networks.

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