How mutualisms between plants and insects are stabilized

ISSN: 00113891
7Citations
Citations of this article
61Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

While the idea of cooperation between individuals of a species has received considerable attention, how mutualistic interactions between species can be protected from cheating by partners in the interaction has only recently been examined from theoretical and empirical perspectives. This paper is a selective review of the recent literature on host sanctions, partner-fidelity feedback and the concept of punishment in such mutualisms. It describes new ideas, borrowed from microeconomics, such as screening theory with and without competition between potential partners for a host. It explores mutualism-stabilizing mechanisms using examples from interactions between figs and fig wasps, and those between ants and plants. It suggests new avenues for research.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Borges, R. M. (2015). How mutualisms between plants and insects are stabilized. Current Science, 108(10), 1862–1868.

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free