Are competitive interactions between aphid clones mediated by facultative endosymbionts?
Data files
Nov 27, 2025 version files 59.18 MB
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Raw_data_Endosymbiont-Mediated_Competition_in_Aphid_Clones.xlsx
59.18 MB
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README.md
5.42 KB
Abstract
Facultative bacterial endosymbionts are key components of aphid biology, influencing host performance and ecological interactions. We investigated how facultative endosymbionts affect competitive interactions between aphid clones of the cereal aphid Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) in Chilean wheat fields. We assessed the population development and life-history traits of the two dominant genotypes (G1 and G2) under single-clone rearing, intra- and inter-genotypic competition scenarios, with and without the facultative endosymbiont Regiella insecticola shaping these interactions. Our findings reveal that R. insecticola does not significantly alter inter-genotypic competition outcomes: clone G2 consistently outcompeted G1 regardless of infection status. However, under intra-genotypic competition, R. insecticola-infected G1 aphids outperformed their uninfected counterparts, while the opposite trend was observed in G2. R. insecticola influenced winged morph production and aphid weight in a genotype-dependent manner. Aphids harbouring R. insecticola induced less physiological stress on host plants, as evidenced by lower root/shoot ratios. These results suggest that facultative endosymbionts may confer clone-specific advantages, shaping aphid performance and aphid clone-endosymbiont-plant dynamics in multifaceted ways.
Dataset DOI: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.dncjsxmcp
Description of the data and file structure
This dataset contains the raw data collected from experiments evaluating the effects of facultative bacterial endosymbionts on aphid population dynamics and the competitive interactions between two Sitobion avenae genotypes (G1 and G2). Each genotype was experimentally manipulated to either retain or remove the facultative endosymbiont Regiella insecticola, resulting in four asexual lineages: G1+, G1−, G2+, and G2−. The symbols “+” and “−” indicate individuals infected or uninfected with R. insecticola, respectively. These lineages were combined in different pairings to assess ecological competition, and aphid numbers were recorded across multiple time points under controlled experimental conditions. Treatments varied in aphid genotype and symbiont infection status. At the conclusion of each treatment, aphid weight and plant dry biomass were measured.
Files and variables
File:
- Raw_data_Endosymbiont-Mediated_Competition_in_Aphid_Clones.xlsx
Methodology
Experimental design: factorial experiments including single clone rearing, intra- and inter-genotypic competition.
Factors:
- Treatment (e.g., single clone vs. competition)
- Genotype (G1 and G2)
- Endosymbiont infection status (infected [+], uninfected [−])
- Measured variables: total aphids per plant, winged morphs, infected proportions, plant biomass (fresh weight), and root/shoot ratio.
- Time course: population counts at different days.
- Plant material: [host plant species]
- Aphid species: Sitobion avenae
- Conditions: controlled greenhouse/growth chamber
File Overview
Main file: Raw data_Endosymbiont-Mediated Competition in Aphid Clones.xlsx
| Sheet name | Description |
|---|---|
| single_clone rearing | Aphid population growth in single clone rearing conditions |
| intra_genotypic | Population dynamics within genotypes (competition within same genotype) |
| intra_genotypic proportion data | Proportion of infected aphids within genotype competition |
| inter_genotypic | Aphid population dynamics between different genotypes |
| inter_genotypic porportion data | Proportion of aphids by genotype during inter-genotypic competition |
| Root-Shoot ratio | Plant root-to-shoot biomass ratio measurements |
| Fresh weight | Total fresh biomass of plants |
| Winged morphs _single clone | Winged morph production in single clone experiments |
| Winged morphs _intra_genotypic | Winged morph production in intra-genotypic competition |
Variable Definitions
| Variable name | Description | Units | Data type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment | Experimental treatment (e.g., control, competition type) | — | categorical |
| Genotype | Aphid genotype (G1, G2) | — | categorical |
| Endosymbiont status | Presence (+) or absence (−) of Regiella insecticola | — | categorical |
| Days | Time of measurement | days | integer |
| Total aphids | Total number of aphids recorded | count | integer |
| Replicate | Experimental replicate number | — | integer |
| # infected aphids | Number of infected aphids in replicate | count | integer |
| # aphids G1, # aphids G2 | Aphid counts per genotype during inter-genotypic competition | count | integer |
| Root/Shoot | Ratio of root to shoot biomass | dimensionless | numeric |
| Total fresh weight (mg) | Total plant biomass weight | mg | numeric |
| # winged morphs | Number of winged individuals | count | integer |
| # total aphids | Total aphids recorded in winged morph experiments | count | integer |
File Format
- .xlsx file with multiple sheets.
- UTF-8 encoding.
- Decimal separator: dot (.).
- Column headers in the first row of each sheet.
Data Usage Notes
- Each sheet represents an experimental module and can be analyzed independently.
- Data can be imported into R, Python, Excel, or other statistical software.
- Variable names are consistent across sheets where applicable.
- For proportion data, both raw counts and calculated proportions are provided.
Contact
Claudio C. Ramírez, e-mail: clramirez@utalca.cl