Mutualistic and antagonistic interactions differ in wild and domesticated papaya (Carica papaya) in its centre of origin.

Abstract

Shifts in phenotypes derived from the domestication syndromes impact plant performance but may also affect interactions with other species in the community (e.g. mutualists and antagonists). Moreover, plantations often differ from the natural conditions experienced by the wild relatives of cultivated plants, potentially altering the nature of ecological interactions. However, apart from herbivory, little is known about how domestication and cultivation practices (e.g. insecticide application) can modify multiple ecological interactions simultaneously in wild and domesticated plants. In four sites on the Yucatan Peninsula, we compared the diversity of mutualists (e.g. moths) and antagonists (e.g. viruses) in wild and domesticated plants of papaya. For each individual, we recorded floral visitors and rates of visitation at three time periods during the day. We recorded type and percentage of damage by antagonists in three leaves of all individuals. Finally, we explored if plant sex had an effect on the interaction with floral visitors. The main floral visitors were ants and Trigona species, whereas viruses caused the main type of foliar damage. Wild individuals had a higher diversity and visitation rate of floral visitors, and less foliar damage from antagonists. Wild male individuals were more visited, but we observed a similar amount and diversity of damage in both sexes. The time of day did not have an effect on diversity of floral visitors. Together, cultivation practices and domestication appear to have an effect on the reduction in diversity of floral visitors in domesticated papaya, as well as an increase in foliar damage.