Data from: Genetic specificity of a plant-insect food web: implications for linking genetic variation to network complexity

We then used a resampling procedure to simulate the additive effects of genetic variation on overall food-web complexity. We found that trait variation among host-plant genotypes was associated with resistance to insect herbivores, which indirectly affected interactions between herbivores and their insect parasitoids. Direct and indirect genetic effects resulted in distinct compositions of trophic interactions associated with each host-plant genotype.

Moreover, our simulations suggest that food-web complexity would increase by 20% over the range of genetic variation in the experimental population of host plants. Taken together, our results indicate that intraspecific genetic variation can play a key role in structuring ecological networks, which may in turn affect network persistence.

Usage notes

Interaction network, gall size, and plant traits tree_level_interaxn_all_plants_traits_size.csv Food-web complexity simulation data food web complexity simulation 50 reps of 200 sims 4 reps.csv Monoculture simulation 4 reps food web complexity simulation 1000 monosims 4 reps.csv Monoculture simulation 3 reps food web complexity simulation 1000 monosims 3 reps.csv Monoculture simulation 2 reps food web complexity simulation 1000 monosims 2 reps.csv Monoculture simulation 1 rep food web complexity simulation 1000 monosims 1 reps.csv