Principles from community and metapopulation ecology: application to fungal entomopathogens

TY - JOUR

T1 - Principles from community and metapopulation ecology

T2 - application to fungal entomopathogens

AU - Meyling, Nicolai Vitt

AU - Hajek, Ann E.

PY - 2010/1

Y1 - 2010/1

N2 - Fungal entomopathogens are often studied within the context of their use for biological control, yet these natural enemies are also excellent subjects for studies of ecological interactions. Here, we present selected principles from community ecology and discuss these in relation to fungal entomopathogens. We discuss the relevance of apparent competition, food web construction, intraguild predation and density-mediated and trait-mediated indirect effects. Although current knowledge of community interactions involving fungal entomopathogens are limited, fungal entomopathogens can be important, interactive members of communities and the activities of fungal entomopathogens should be evaluated in the context of ecological principles. We also discuss aspects of metapopulation ecology and the application of these principles to fungal entomopathogens. Knowledge of ecological interactions is crucial if we are to understand and predict the effects of fungal entomopathogens on host populations and understand the interactions among fungal entomopathogens and other organisms in the communities in which they occur.

AB - Fungal entomopathogens are often studied within the context of their use for biological control, yet these natural enemies are also excellent subjects for studies of ecological interactions. Here, we present selected principles from community ecology and discuss these in relation to fungal entomopathogens. We discuss the relevance of apparent competition, food web construction, intraguild predation and density-mediated and trait-mediated indirect effects. Although current knowledge of community interactions involving fungal entomopathogens are limited, fungal entomopathogens can be important, interactive members of communities and the activities of fungal entomopathogens should be evaluated in the context of ecological principles. We also discuss aspects of metapopulation ecology and the application of these principles to fungal entomopathogens. Knowledge of ecological interactions is crucial if we are to understand and predict the effects of fungal entomopathogens on host populations and understand the interactions among fungal entomopathogens and other organisms in the communities in which they occur.

U2 - 10.1007/s10526-009-9246-5

DO - 10.1007/s10526-009-9246-5

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1386-6141

VL - 55

SP - 39

EP - 54

JO - BioControl

JF - BioControl

IS - 1

ER -