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Aphids and other plant-munching pests can play a role in shaping the genetic variation of their hosts, say researchers at UC Davis.

The new study, involving aphids and the broccoli-like research plant Arabidopsis thaliana, provides the first measurable evidence that this selective process is driven, in part, by the pressure that multiple natural enemies exert on plants by forcing them to create diverse natural defenses to avoid being eaten.

Full story at Futurity.

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