Temperature-dependent effects on mutualistic, antagonistic, and commensalistic interactions among insects, fungi and mites

'T'he relat~ve abundance and nature of associations between symbiotic species can be affected by abiotic contfrl~ons L L I ~ ~ consequences for population dynamics. We itlvestigated the effects of temperature on the community of mltes and fungi associated w ~ t h the southern pine beetle, L3endrocfon11.s frontulis, an irilportant pest of pine forests in llic snuthcrn Unitcd States. First, we dcterrnined whether the growth rates of mutualistic and antagonistic fungi associated ~ t h I1 f r o ~ l i ~ ~ l ~ , ) differed in the~r esponses to temperature. Second, we tested the effects of temperature on the abundance of. and interact~ons among, fungi, mites and beetles within D /rontulis-infested trees. Fungi dif'fercd ia their groxvtli rcsporiscs to temperaturc, resulting in changes in li~ngal-beetle associations. Mite species associated with D fr-onral~s al\o differed rn their responses to temperature. resulting In d~fferent n~te comn~unities associated ulth bark bectlc progeny. The effects of temperature on beetle reproduct~on could not be assessed because of high wood borer dcniity, but inter-relations among surviving beetles. mites and fungi were altered by temperature. Results support the hypothe\ij that temperature can produce d~rect anti indirect effects on the web of mutualistic and antagonistic relationships within the coinmunlty of D Jiorlfulis and their syrilbiotic mites and fungi.