This variance in metabolic potential relative to a symbiotic condition allowed us to then test the impact of symbiosis on the diversification and ecological breadth of leaf beetles. Symbiotic beetles turned out to be more speciose and exploit a greater variety of plants. 7/n

Incredibly proud of this hugely collaborative effort, led by Marleny, together with members of the Mutualisms Lab @MPI_Bio, Shana Goffredi, Takema Fukatsu, and Don Windsor! 8/n