A Parasite Plant Promotes the Coexistence of Two Annual Plants

Abstract

Consumers can influence the competitive outcomes of prey species in various ways. Modern coexistence theory predicts that consumers can promote prey coexistence by preferably targeting a competitively superior one, thereby reducing fitness differences. However, previous studies yielded mixed conclusions. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that a parasitic annual plant, Cuscuta campestris, facilitates the coexistence of two common annual plants. We performed field surveys and parasitism experiments to parameterize a plant competition dynamics model. The model suggested a competition–defence tradeoff: the legume Lespedeza striata was a better competitor than the grass Setaria faberi, while it was more susceptible to the parasite. Moreover, an empirical host–parasite dynamics model, extended from the plant competition model, predicted their coexistence within broad, biologically reasonable ranges of parameters. This work provides field evidence of the coexisting–promoting role of a parasitic plant, as caused by stabilising feedback between host and parasite densities.