Prey–predator mutualism in a tritrophic system on a camphor tree

Kasai, Atsushi; Yano, Shuichi; Takafuji, Akio

Prey–predator mutualism in a tritrophic system on a camphor tree

2005

Kasai, Atsushi | Yano, Shuichi | Takafuji, Akio

We report the discovery of a mutualistic system encompassing prey–predator interactions. A domatium is a small space in a vein axil on the underside of leaves of woody angiosperms. Cinnamomum camphora Linn. has domatia that harbor a microphytophagous eriophyid mite (sp. 1). We previously reported that a predatory mite, Euseius sojaensis (Ehara), depends on this eriophyid mite as food. We revealed that E. sojaensis also preyed upon another eriophyid mite (sp. 2) that induces galls on leaves, and that the mean area of C. camphora leaves with galls was usually less than half that of leaves without galls. We experimentally tested the effect of E. sojaensis on galls, and confirmed that the presence of E. sojaensis reduced gall induction. Therefore, C. camphora, eriophyid mite sp. 1, and E. sojaensis comprise a mutualistic system, in spite of the prey–predator interactions among them. The conventional concept of mutualism does not apply to such prey–predator interactions, so we defined them as “systematic mutualism.” Here, the system consists of three trophic levels, and individuals that constitute this system benefit from the other species that constitute this system.

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