International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 122-133 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmec 122 Feature Review Open Access Aphid-Plant Interactions: Evolutionary and Ecological Perspectives Xiaoqing Tang Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570206, Hainan, China Corresponding author: xiaoqing.tang@hitar.org International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 2024, Vol.14, No.3 doi: 10.5376/ijmec.2024.14.0014 Received: 27 Apr., 2024 Accepted: 30 May, 2024 Published:14 Jun., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Tang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Tang X.Q., 2024, Aphid-plant interactions: evolutionary and ecological perspectivesa, International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 14(3): 122-133 (doi: 10.5376/ijmec.2024.14.0014) Abstract Aphid-plant interactions represent a complex and dynamic relationship that has significant implications for both agricultural productivity and ecological balance. This study synthesizes current knowledge on the evolutionary and ecological perspectives of these interactions. Aphids, as major agricultural pests, employ specialized feeding mechanisms and reproductive strategies to exploit plant resources, while plants have evolved a variety of defense mechanisms, including physical barriers, chemical deterrents, and the recruitment of natural enemies. Recent advances in molecular biology have elucidated the roles of aphid salivary proteins, plant resistance genes, and signaling pathways in these interactions. Additionally, the impact of aphid-vectored viruses and the role of microbial symbionts in aphid adaptation are explored. This study highlights the ongoing co-evolutionary arms race between aphids and plants, emphasizing the need for integrated pest management strategies that leverage our understanding of these intricate biological processes. KeywordsAphid-plant interactions; Plant defense mechanisms; Co-evolution; Molecular signaling; Integrated pest management 1 Introduction Aphid-plant interactions represent a critical area of study due to the significant impact aphids have on agriculture and natural ecosystems. Aphids are notorious for their role as plant parasites, causing extensive damage by sucking phloem sap and transmitting plant pathogenic viruses, which leads to substantial yield losses in crops globally (Goggin, 2007; Guerrieri and Digilio, 2008; Loxdale et al., 2020). These interactions are not only economically important but also ecologically significant, as they influence plant health, community dynamics, and ecosystem functions (Jaouannet et al., 2014; Simon and Peccoud, 2018). The ability of aphids to rapidly reproduce and adapt to various environmental pressures, including pesticide resistance, further underscores the importance of understanding these interactions (Simon and Peccoud, 2018; Loxdale et al., 2020). From an evolutionary perspective, aphid-plant interactions offer a fascinating glimpse into the co-evolutionary arms race between plants and their herbivores. Aphids exhibit remarkable evolutionary flexibility, including polyphenism and complex life cycles that involve both sexual and asexual reproduction (Huang and Qiao, 2014; Simon and Peccoud, 2018; Loxdale et al., 2020). These traits enable aphids to adapt quickly to changing environments and anthropogenic pressures, such as the use of insecticides and resistant plant varieties (Kamphuis et al., 2013; Simon and Peccoud, 2018). Understanding the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying these adaptations can provide insights into the evolutionary processes that shape these interactions (Kamphuis et al., 2013; Züst and Agrawal, 2016; Loxdale et al., 2020). Ecologically, aphid-plant interactions are influenced by a myriad of factors, including plant defense mechanisms, aphid endosymbionts, and interactions with other organisms such as predators, parasitoids, and mutualistic ants (Goggin, 2007; Guerrieri and Digilio, 2008; Jaouannet et al., 2014). Plants have evolved a range of direct and indirect defense strategies to counter aphid infestations, including the production of toxic compounds and the release of volatile organic compounds that attract natural enemies of aphids (Guerrieri and Digilio, 2008; Jaouannet et al., 2014; Nalam et al., 2019). These interactions highlight the complex ecological networks in which aphids and plants are embedded and underscore the need for a holistic understanding of these dynamics (Goggin, 2007; Zogli et al., 2020).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNQ==