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. 1997 Apr 11;276(5310):253-6.
doi: 10.1126/science.276.5310.253.

Insects on plants: macroevolutionary chemical trends in host use

J X Becerra  1
Affiliations

Insects on plants: macroevolutionary chemical trends in host use

J X Becerra. Science. .

Abstract

Determining the macroevolutionary importance of plant chemistry on herbivore host shifts is critical to understanding the evolution of insect-plant interactions. Molecular phylogenies of the ancient and speciose Blepharida (Coleoptera)-Bursera (Burseraceae) system were reconstructed and terpenoid chemical profiles for the plant species obtained. Statistical analyses show that the historical patterns of host shifts strongly correspond to the patterns of host chemical similarity, indicating that plant chemistry has played a significant role in the evolution of host shifts by phytophagous insects.

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  • Biology recapitulates phylogeny.
    Hillis DM. Hillis DM. Science. 1997 Apr 11;276(5310):218-9. doi: 10.1126/science.276.5310.218. Science. 1997. PMID: 9132943 No abstract available.

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