Counting marmots…
Rusts are pathogens of rapidly growing plant tissue and are of particular concern in agricultural settings due to their reduction of plant fitness. These phytopathogens depend heavily on abiotic features such as humidity, temperature, and UV strength, and with a changing climate, the rust ranges may be altered in future years and new hosts can be infected. Since this organism is a obligate pathogen changes in host ranges could introduce rusts into new communities and lead to novel interactions. Not much research has been conducted to understand the natural communities of which rusts are a part. Previous research has indicated mixed effects of fungal presence on arthropods associated with plants. Decreases in herbivory have been noted as well as increase in pollinator attraction. This study aims to elucidate natural patterns of insect herbivory and pollination, and the effects on plant fitness utilizing infected Helianthella quinquenervis. Results indicate significant decreases in herbivory on infected plants, as well as reduced number of flowers produced by infected plants. Pollination rates also decreased with infection as pollinators spent less time and visited fewer flowers on infected plants.
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