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Proc Biol Sci

Title:		Fossil oak galls preserve ancient multitrophic interactions
Author(s):		Stone GN; van der Ham RW; Brewer JG;
Address:		"Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK. graham.stone@ed.ac.uk"
Journal Title:		Proc Biol Sci
Year:		2008
Volume:		275
Issue:		1648
Page Number:		2213 - 2219
DOI:		10.1098/rspb.2008.0494
ISSN/ISBN:		0962-8452 (Print) 1471-2954 (Electronic) 0962-8452 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Trace fossils of insect feeding have contributed substantially to our understanding of the evolution of insect-plant interactions. The most complex phenotypes of herbivory are galls, whose diagnostic morphologies often allow the identification of the gall inducer. Although fossil insect-induced galls over 300Myr old are known, most are two-dimensional impressions lacking adequate morphological detail either for the precise identification of the causer or for detection of the communities of specialist parasitoids and inquilines inhabiting modern plant galls. Here, we describe the first evidence for such multitrophic associations in Pleistocene fossil galls from the Eemian interglacial (130000-115000 years ago) of The Netherlands. The exceptionally well-preserved fossils can be attributed to extant species of Andricus gallwasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) galling oaks (Quercus), and provide the first fossil evidence of gall attack by herbivorous inquiline gallwasps. Furthermore, phylogenetic placement of one fossil in a lineage showing obligate host plant alternation implies the presence of a second oak species, Quercus cerris, currently unknown from Eemian fossils in northwestern Europe. This contrasts with the southern European native range of Q. cerris in the current interglacial and suggests that gallwasp invasions following human planting of Q. cerris in northern Europe may represent a return to preglacial distribution limits"
Keywords:		Animals *Fossils Host-Pathogen Interactions *Hymenoptera *Plant Diseases *Plant Tumors *Quercus;
Notes:		"MedlineStone, Graham N van der Ham, Raymond W J M Brewer, Jan G eng England 2008/06/19 Proc Biol Sci. 2008 Oct 7; 275(1648):2213-9. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2008.0494"