The ecology, evolution and persistence of an obligate, one-on-one mutualism

Some of the most celebrated examples of coevolution are found amongst obligate, one-on-one mutualisims (e.g. fig and yucca pollination systems). Although obligate, one-on-one mutualisms may be common among intimate, endosymbiotic organisms, they are apparently uncommon between free-living or non-symbiotic organisms (Howe 1984). Many theories have been posulated to explain the rarity of obligate, one-on-one mutalisms but due to the limited number of examples, it is very difficult to test these theories. The aims of this thesis were to examine the mutalism between an insect catching plant (Roridula) and a closely associated hemipteran to determine whether current theories fit this system. More specifically, I determine : 1) whether Roridula is obligately dependent on Pameridea. 2) Whether the exploitational nature of mutualism causes conflict in this system. 3) Whether exploiters significantly affect the outcome of the mutualism. 4) What effect habitat fragmentation has on the genetic variability of both species. 5) The major processes driving speciation and the spatial scale at which adaptation occurs in this system.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

2002

Author dc:creator

• Anderson, Bruce

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Midgley, Jeremy J
• Stewart, Barbara

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/6219

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/6219