研究人员结合同位素标记、计算机断层扫描三维模型、行为现场实验和数学模型，表明鳞状植物寄主通过提供划分为独立入口的隔间（domatia）来减少其多个蚂蚁共生体物种之间的冲突。只要隔离保持不变，不同的共生物种可以和平共处，但实验性地拆除隔离壁会导致致命的冲突。建模表明，分区化通过增加domatia容纳大型蚁群的时间来优化营养价值。这些结果揭示了一种减少冲突的机制，允许宿主利用不相关的共生体，这可能在多伙伴共生关系中广泛存在。
研究人员表示，许多共生关系涉及一个寄主物种与几个共生伙伴，但理论预测，不相关的共生体通过竞争寄主资源导致不稳定的冲突。
附：英文原文
Title: Compartmentalization reduces conflict in multipartner plant-insect symbioses
Author: Guillaume Chomicki, Dirk Metzler, Alivereti Naikatini, Susanne S. Renner
Issue&Volume: 2025-07-10
Abstract: Many symbioses involve one host species having several mutualist partners, yet theory predicts that unrelated symbionts lead to destabilizing conflict through competition for host resources. We combined isotope labeling, computed-tomography three-dimensional models, behavioral field experiments, and mathematical models to show that Squamellaria plant hosts reduce conflict among their multiple ant symbiont species by offering nesting sites (domatia) divided into compartments with separate entrances. As long as compartmentalization is maintained, different symbiont species can peacefully coexist, but experimental removal of compartment walls leads to deadly conflicts. Modeling suggests that compartmentalization optimizes nutritional benefits by increasing the time during which domatia harbor large ant colonies. These results reveal a conflict-reduction mechanism that allows hosts to take advantage of unrelated symbionts, which may be widespread in multipartner mutualisms.
DOI: adu8429
Source: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adu8429