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Lorenzi MC, d'Ettorre P. Nestmate Recognition in Social Insects: What Does It Mean to Be Chemically Insignificant? Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Chemical Deception and Structural Adaptation in Microdon (Diptera, Syrphidae, Microdontinae), a Genus of Hoverflies Parasitic on Social Insects. J Chem Ecol 2019; 45:959-971. [PMID: 31792663 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-019-01121-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Various organisms, especially arthropods, are able to live as parasites in ant nests and to prey upon ant broods without eliciting any aggressive behaviour in the hosts. Understanding how these intruders are able to break the ants' communication codes in their favour represents a challenging and intriguing evolutionary question. We studied the chemical strategies of three European hoverfly species, Microdon mutabilis (parasitic on Formica cunicularia), M. analis (parasitic on Lasius emarginatus) and M. devius (parasitic on L. distinguendus). The peculiar slug-like larvae of these three species live inside ant nests feeding upon their broods. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses show that: 1) these parasites mimic the host brood rather than the ant workers, although each differs distinctly in the extent of chemical mimicry; 2) isolation experiments indicate that after 14 days the responsible cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are not passively acquired but synthesized by the fly larvae. Additionally, Microdon larvae show an array of protective structural features, such as a thick and multi-layered cuticle, retractable head, dome-shaped tergum and a flat and strongly adhesive "foot" (sternum). This combination of protective chemical and structural features represents a successful key innovation by Microdon species, and one that may facilitate host switching. The results of a preliminary adoption analysis confirm that Microdon larvae of at least some species can readily be accepted by different species of ants.
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Neves EF, Lima LD, Sguarizi-Antonio D, Andrade LHC, Lima SM, Lima-Junior SE, Antonialli-Junior WF. Intraspecific Cuticular Chemical Profile Variation in the Social Wasp Mischocyttarus consimilis (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 48:1030-1038. [PMID: 31456168 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-019-00711-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Chemical compounds present on the cuticle of social insects are important in communication, as they are used in recognition of nestmates and sexual partners as well as in caste distinction, varying according to several factors, such as genetic and environmental. In this context, some studies have explored the cuticular chemical profile as a tool for assessing intra- and interspecific differences in social insects, although few studies have investigated this in social wasps. This study aimed to assess the differences in cuticular chemical profiles among different geographic samples of the wasp Mischocyttarus consimilis Zikán. Our hypothesis was that environmental factors are decisive to compose the cuticular chemical profiles of colonies of these social wasps and that there are differences regarding the geographic distribution among colonies. We used Fourier Transform Infrared-Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS) to assess the chemical profiles of samples. Our results show that despite there are differences between the cuticular chemical composition of the wasps' samples from different populations, there is no significant correlation compared to the spatial distribution of the colonies nor with the environment. Thus, our hypothesis was refuted, and we can infer that in this species neither exogenous nor genetic factors stand out to differentiate the chemical signature of their colonies, but a combination of both.
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Affiliation(s)
- E F Neves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Univ Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brasil.
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental, Univ Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Rodovia Dourados/ Itahum, Km 12, 79804-970, Dourados, MS, Brasil.
| | - L D Lima
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental, Univ Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Rodovia Dourados/ Itahum, Km 12, 79804-970, Dourados, MS, Brasil
| | - D Sguarizi-Antonio
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental, Univ Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Rodovia Dourados/ Itahum, Km 12, 79804-970, Dourados, MS, Brasil
| | - L H C Andrade
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais, Univ Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados, MS, Brasil
| | - S M Lima
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais, Univ Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados, MS, Brasil
| | - S E Lima-Junior
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais, Univ Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados, MS, Brasil
| | - W F Antonialli-Junior
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental, Univ Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Rodovia Dourados/ Itahum, Km 12, 79804-970, Dourados, MS, Brasil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais, Univ Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados, MS, Brasil
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Casacci LP, Bonelli S, Balletto E, Barbero F. Multimodal Signaling in Myrmecophilous Butterflies. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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Sprenger PP, Hartke J, Feldmeyer B, Orivel J, Schmitt T, Menzel F. Influence of Mutualistic Lifestyle, Mutualistic Partner, and Climate on Cuticular Hydrocarbon Profiles in Parabiotic Ants. J Chem Ecol 2019; 45:741-754. [DOI: 10.1007/s10886-019-01099-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Kanzaki N, Liang WR, Chiu CI, Yang CT, Hsueh YP, Li HF. Nematode-free agricultural system of a fungus-growing termite. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8917. [PMID: 31222010 PMCID: PMC6586928 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44993-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungus-growing termites forage dead plant materials from the field to cultivate symbiotic Termitomyces fungi in the nest. Termite foraging behavior and the entry of symbiotic arthropod inquilines may transfer nematodes into a nest and adversely affect fungus production. To test whether nematodes were transferred to fungus gardens by termites and inquilines, we examined the occurrence of nematodes in fungus gardens, five termite castes, and nine species of inquilines of a fungus-growing termite, Odontotermes formosanus. Our results revealed that nematodes were commonly carried by foraging termites and beetle inquilines. Numerous nematodes were found under the beetle elytra. No nematodes were found on termite larvae, eggs, and wingless inquilines. In addition, nematodes rarely occurred in the fungus garden. By observing the response of nematodes to three species of Termitomyces spp. and the fungus gardens, we confirmed that the fungus and fungus gardens are not actually toxic to nematodes. We suggest that nematodes were suppressed through grooming behavior and gut antimicrobial activity in termites, rather than through the antimicrobial activity of the fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsumi Kanzaki
- Kansai Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 68 Nagaikyutaroh, Momoyama, Fushimi, Kyoto, Kyoto, 612-0855, Japan
| | - Wei-Ren Liang
- Department of Entomology, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xingda Rd., Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - Chun-I Chiu
- Department of Entomology, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xingda Rd., Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ting Yang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Ping Hsueh
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hou-Feng Li
- Department of Entomology, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xingda Rd., Taichung, 40227, Taiwan.
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Sun P, Yu S, Merchant A, Lei C, Zhou X, Huang Q. Downregulation of Orco and 5-HTT Alters Nestmate Discrimination in the Subterranean Termite Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki). Front Physiol 2019; 10:714. [PMID: 31244679 PMCID: PMC6579916 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Nestmate discrimination allows social insects to recognize nestmates from non-nestmates using colony-specific chemosensory cues, which typically evoke aggressive behavior toward non-nestmates. Functional analysis of genes associated with nestmate discrimination has been primarily focused on inter-colonial discrimination in Hymenopterans, and parallel studies in termites, however, are grossly lacking. To fill this gap, we investigated the role of two genes, Orco and 5-HTT, associated with chemosensation and neurotransmission respectively, in nestmate discrimination in a highly eusocial subterranean termite, Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki). We hypothesized that knocking down of these genes will compromise the nestmate recognition and lead to the antagonistic behavior. To test this hypothesis, we carried out (1) an in vivo RNAi to suppress the expression of Orco and 5-HTT, respectively, (2) a validation study to examine the knockdown efficiency, and finally, (3) a behavioral assay to document the phenotypic impacts/behavioral consequences. As expected, the suppression of either of these two genes elevated stress level (e.g., vibrations and retreats), and led to aggressive behaviors (e.g., biting) in O. formosanus workers toward their nestmates, suggesting both Orco and 5-HTT can modulate nestmate discrimination in termites. This research links chemosensation and neurotransmission with nestmate discrimination at the genetic basis, and lays the foundation for functional analyses of nestmate discrimination in termites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengdong Sun
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuxin Yu
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Austin Merchant
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Chaoliang Lei
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuguo Zhou
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Qiuying Huang
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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Cini A, Sumner S, Cervo R. Inquiline social parasites as tools to unlock the secrets of insect sociality. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 374:20180193. [PMID: 30967091 PMCID: PMC6388031 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Insect societies play a crucial role in the functioning of most ecosystems and have fascinated both scientists and the lay public for centuries. Despite the long history of study, we are still far from understanding how insect societies have evolved and how social cohesion in their colonies is maintained. Here we suggest inquiline social parasites of insect societies as an under-exploited experimental tool for understanding sociality. We draw on examples from obligate inquiline (permanent) social parasites in wasps, ants and bees to illustrate how these parasites may allow us to better understand societies and learn more about the evolution and functioning of insect societies. We highlight three main features of these social parasite-host systems-namely, close phylogenetic relationships, strong selective pressures arising from coevolution and multiple independent origins-that make inquiline social parasites particularly suited for this aim; we propose a conceptual comparative framework that considers trait losses, gains and modifications in social parasite-host systems. We give examples of how this framework can reveal the more elusive secrets of sociality by focusing on two cornerstones of sociality: communication and reproductive division of labour. Together with social parasites in other taxonomic groups, such as cuckoos in birds, social parasitism has a great potential to reveal the mechanisms and evolution of complex social groups. This article is part of the theme issue 'The coevolutionary biology of brood parasitism: from mechanism to pattern'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Cini
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Madonna del Piano, 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Seirian Sumner
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Rita Cervo
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Madonna del Piano, 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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60
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Spottiswoode CN, Busch R. Vive la difference! Self/non-self recognition and the evolution of signatures of identity in arms races with parasites. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 374:20180206. [PMID: 30967089 PMCID: PMC6388040 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In arms races with parasites, hosts can evolve defences exhibiting extensive variability within populations, which signals individual identity ('signatures'). However, few such systems have evolved, suggesting that the conditions for their evolution are uncommon. We review (a) polymorphic egg markings that allow hosts of brood-parasitic birds to recognize and reject parasitic eggs, and (b) polymorphic tissue antigens encoded in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which present self- and pathogen-derived peptides to T cells of the immune system. Despite the profound differences between these systems, they share analogous features: (i) self/non-self discrimination by a highly specific recognition system (bird eyes and T-cell antigen receptor, respectively), which antagonists may escape by evolving evasion or mimicry; (ii) a self substrate upon which diversifying selection can act (eggs, and MHC molecules); (iii) acquired knowledge of self (resulting in acceptance of own eggs, and immune tolerance); and (iv) fitness costs associated with attack on self or lack of parasite detection. We suggest that these features comprise a set of requirements for parasites to drive the evolution of identity signatures in hosts, which diminish the likelihood of recognition errors. This may help to explain the variety of trajectories arising from arms races in different antagonistic contexts. This article is part of the theme issue 'The coevolutionary biology of brood parasitism: from mechanism to pattern'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire N. Spottiswoode
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Robert Busch
- Department of Life Sciences, Whitelands College, University of Roehampton, Holybourne Avenue, London SW15 4JD, UK
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61
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Pulliainen U, Helanterä H, Sundström L, Schultner E. The possible role of ant larvae in the defence against social parasites. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20182867. [PMID: 30836870 PMCID: PMC6458323 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporary social parasite ant queens initiate new colonies by entering colonies of host species, where they begin laying eggs. As the resident queen can be killed during this process, host colonies may lose their entire future reproductive output. Selection thus favours the evolution of defence mechanisms, before and after parasite intrusion. Most studies on social parasites focus on host worker discrimination of parasite queens and their offspring. However, ant larvae can also influence brood composition by consuming eggs. This raises the question whether host larvae can aid in preventing colony takeover by consuming eggs laid by parasite queens. To test whether larvae could play a role in anti-parasite defence, we compared the rates at which larvae of a common host species, Formica fusca, consumed eggs laid by social parasite, non-parasite, nest-mate, or conspecific non-nest-mate queens. Larvae consumed social parasite eggs more than eggs laid by a heterospecific non-parasite queen, irrespective of the chemical distance between the egg cuticular profiles. Also, larvae consumed eggs laid by conspecific non-nest-mate queens more than those laid by nest-mate queens. Our study suggests that larvae may act as players in colony defence against social parasitism, and that social parasitism is a key factor shaping discrimination behaviour in ants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Unni Pulliainen
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Tvärminne Zoological Station, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Heikki Helanterä
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Tvärminne Zoological Station, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, Faculty of Science, University of Oulu, Finland
| | - Liselotte Sundström
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Tvärminne Zoological Station, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eva Schultner
- Institut für Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie, Biologie I, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Paul B, Annagiri S. Caught red-handed: behaviour of brood thieves in an Indian ant. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.193755. [PMID: 30446545 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.193755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Theft of resources is ubiquitous in the animal kingdom. An evolutionary arms race between thieves and their victims is expected. Although several studies have documented inter- and intraspecific theft of resources in different taxa, studies that delve into the behaviour of thieves and the factors that influence their behaviour have not been undertaken. In the current study on the primitively eusocial ant Diacamma indicum, we caught brood thieves red-handed: we observed them in the act of stealing brood and examined their behaviour. Thieves were persistent in their attempts despite facing aggression in the victim colony. Experiencing aggression or failure to steal in the previous attempt negatively impacted a thief's drive to reattempt. To avoid the risks associated with theft, successful thieves exited from victim nests about three times faster than others who were procuring brood from unguarded nests. In a series of experiments examining factors that caused thieves to increase their exit speed, we found that indirect cues of a foreign colony's presence, such as odour or the presence of foreign ants, did not induce these changes in thieves. Thus, we conclude that these ant thieves only respond to the direct threat posed by aggressive foreign ants. In this comprehensive study using behavioural experiments, we reveal the simple rules of engagement between victims and brood thieves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bishwarup Paul
- Behaviour and Ecology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
| | - Sumana Annagiri
- Behaviour and Ecology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
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Pérez-Lachaud G, Rocha FH, Valle-Mora J, Hénaut Y, Lachaud JP. Fine-tuned intruder discrimination favors ant parasitoidism. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210739. [PMID: 30653595 PMCID: PMC6336292 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A diversity of arthropods (myrmecophiles) thrives within ant nests, many of them unmolested though some, such as the specialized Eucharitidae parasitoids, may cause direct damage to their hosts. Ants are known to discriminate between nestmates and non-nestmates, but whether they recognize the strength of a threat and their capacity to adjust their behavior accordingly have not been fully explored. We aimed to determine whether Ectatomma tuberculatum ants exhibited specific behavioral responses to potential or actual intruders posing different threats to the host colony and to contribute to an understanding of complex ant-eucharitid interactions. Behavioral responses differed significantly according to intruder type. Ants evicted intruders that represented a threat to the colony's health (dead ants) or were not suitable as prey items (filter paper, eucharitid parasitoid wasps, non myrmecophilous adult weevils), but killed potential prey (weevil larvae, termites). The timing of detection was in accordance with the nature and size of the intruder: corpses (a potential source of contamination) were detected faster than any other intruder and transported to the refuse piles within 15 min. The structure and complexity of behavioral sequences differed among those intruders that were discarded. Workers not only recognized and discriminated between several distinct intruders but also adjusted their behavior to the type of intruder encountered. Our results confirm the previously documented recognition capabilities of E. tuberculatum workers and reveal a very fine-tuned intruder discrimination response. Colony-level prophylactic and hygienic behavioral responses through effective removal of inedible intruders appears to be the most general and flexible form of defense in ants against a diverse array of intruders. However, this generalized response to both potentially lethal and harmless intruders might have driven the evolution of ant-eucharitid interactions, opening a window for parasitoid attack and allowing adult parasitoid wasps to quickly leave the natal nest unharmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Pérez-Lachaud
- Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Franklin H. Rocha
- Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | | | - Yann Hénaut
- Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Jean-Paul Lachaud
- Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale (CRCA), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse; CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
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64
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Satoi S, Iwasa Y. Chemical mimicry or crypsis—the evolutionary game played by parasitic ants invading other colonies. THEOR ECOL-NETH 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12080-018-0406-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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65
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Torres CW, Tonione MA, Ramírez SR, Sapp JR, Tsutsui ND. Genetic and chemical divergence among host races of a socially parasitic ant. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:11385-11398. [PMID: 30598743 PMCID: PMC6303767 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Host-parasite associations facilitate the action of reciprocal selection and can drive rapid evolutionary change. When multiple host species are available to a single parasite, parallel specialization on different hosts may promote the action of diversifying natural selection and divergence via host race formation. Here, we examine a population of the kidnapper ant (Polyergus mexicanus) that is an obligate social parasite of three sympatric ant species: Formica accreta, F. argentea, and F. subaenescens (formerly F. fusca). Behavioral and ecological observations of P. mexicanus have shown that individual colonies parasitize only one species of host and that new Polyergus queens maintain host fidelity when establishing new colonies. To successfully adapt to a particular host, Polyergus ants may mimic or camouflage themselves with the species-specific chemical cues (cuticular hydrocarbons) that their hosts use to ascertain colony membership. To investigate the extent of host specialization, we collected both genetic and chemical data from P. mexicanus that parasitize each of the three different Formica species in sympatry. We show that host-associated genetic structure exists for both maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA data and biparentally inherited microsatellite markers. We also show that P. mexicanus can be distinguished by chemical profile according to host due to partial matching with their host. Our results support the hypothesis that host race formation is occurring among lineages of P. mexicanus that use different Formica hosts. Thus, this system may represent a promising model for illuminating the early steps of divergence, accumulation of reproductive isolation, and speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candice W. Torres
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and ManagementUniversity of California‐BerkeleyBerkeleyCalifornia
| | - Maria A. Tonione
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and ManagementUniversity of California‐BerkeleyBerkeleyCalifornia
| | - Santiago R. Ramírez
- Department of Evolution and EcologyUniversity of California‐DavisDavisCalifornia
| | - Joseph R. Sapp
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of California‐Santa CruzSanta CruzCalifornia
| | - Neil D. Tsutsui
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and ManagementUniversity of California‐BerkeleyBerkeleyCalifornia
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Elia M, Khalil A, Bagnères AG, Lorenzi MC. Appeasing their hosts: a novel strategy for parasite brood. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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67
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Parmentier T, De Laender F, Wenseleers T, Bonte D. Prudent behavior rather than chemical deception enables a parasite to exploit its ant host. Behav Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ary134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Parmentier
- Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology Unit (TEREC), Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat, Gent, Belgium
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Socioevolution, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat, Leuven, Belgium
- Research Unit of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, Namur Institute of Complex Systems, and Institute of Life, Earth, and the Environment, University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles, Namur, Belgium
| | - Frederik De Laender
- Research Unit of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, Namur Institute of Complex Systems, and Institute of Life, Earth, and the Environment, University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles, Namur, Belgium
| | - Tom Wenseleers
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Socioevolution, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dries Bonte
- Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology Unit (TEREC), Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat, Gent, Belgium
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Grüter C, Jongepier E, Foitzik S. Insect societies fight back: the evolution of defensive traits against social parasites. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 373:20170200. [PMID: 29866913 PMCID: PMC6000133 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Insect societies face many social parasites that exploit their altruistic behaviours or their resources. Due to the fitness costs these social parasites incur, hosts have evolved various behavioural, chemical, architectural and morphological defence traits. Similar to bacteria infecting multicellular hosts, social parasites have to successfully go through several steps to exploit their hosts. Here, we review how social insects try to interrupt this sequence of events. They can avoid parasite contact by choosing to nest in parasite-free locales or evade attacks by adapting their colony structure. Once social parasites attack, hosts attempt to detect them, which can be facilitated by adjustments in colony odour. If social parasites enter the nest, hosts can either aggressively defend their colony or take their young and flee. Nest structures are often shaped to prevent social parasite invasion or to safeguard host resources. Finally, if social parasites successfully establish themselves in host nests, hosts can rebel by killing the parasite brood or by reproducing in the parasites' presence. Hosts of social parasites can therefore develop multiple traits, leading to the evolution of complex defence portfolios of co-dependent traits. Social parasites can respond to these multi-level defences with counter-adaptations, potentially leading to geographical mosaics of coevolution.This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Evolution of pathogen and parasite avoidance behaviours'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Grüter
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Johannes von Müller Weg 6, Mainz 55099, Germany
| | - Evelien Jongepier
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Westfälische Wilhelms University, Hüfferstrasse 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Susanne Foitzik
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Johannes von Müller Weg 6, Mainz 55099, Germany
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69
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Pulliainen U, Bos N, d'Ettorre P, Sundström L. Caste-dependent brood retrieval by workers in the ant Formica exsecta. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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70
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Neupert S, DeMilto A, Drijfhout F, Speller S, Adams RM. Host colony integration: Megalomyrmex guest ant parasites maintain peace with their host using weaponry. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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71
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von Beeren C, Brückner A, Maruyama M, Burke G, Wieschollek J, Kronauer DJC. Chemical and behavioral integration of army ant-associated rove beetles - a comparison between specialists and generalists. Front Zool 2018; 15:8. [PMID: 29568316 PMCID: PMC5857133 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-018-0249-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Host-symbiont interactions are embedded in ecological communities and range from unspecific to highly specific relationships. Army ants and their arthropod guests represent a fascinating example of species-rich host-symbiont associations where host specificity ranges across the entire generalist - specialist continuum. In the present study, we compared the behavioral and chemical integration mechanisms of two extremes of the generalist - specialist continuum: generalist ant-predators in the genus Tetradonia (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae: Athetini), and specialist ant-mimics in the genera Ecitomorpha and Ecitophya (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae: Ecitocharini). Similar to a previous study of Tetradonia beetles, we combined DNA barcoding with morphological studies to define species boundaries in ant-mimicking beetles. This approach found four ant-mimicking species at our study site at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica. Community sampling of Eciton army ant parasites revealed that ant-mimicking beetles were perfect host specialists, each beetle species being associated with a single Eciton species. These specialists were seamlessly integrated into the host colony, while generalists avoided physical contact to host ants in behavioral assays. Analysis of the ants' nestmate recognition cues, i.e. cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), showed close similarity in CHC composition and CHC concentration between specialists and Eciton burchellii foreli host ants. On the contrary, the chemical profiles of generalists matched host profiles less well, indicating that high accuracy in chemical host resemblance is only accomplished by socially integrated species. Considering the interplay between behavior, morphology, and cuticular chemistry, specialists but not generalists have cracked the ants' social code with respect to various sensory modalities. Our results support the long-standing idea that the evolution of host-specialization in parasites is a trade-off between the range of potential host species and the level of specialization on any particular host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph von Beeren
- 1Ecological Networks, Department of Biology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.,2Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Adrian Brückner
- 1Ecological Networks, Department of Biology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Griffin Burke
- 2Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065 USA.,4Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504 USA
| | - Jana Wieschollek
- 1Ecological Networks, Department of Biology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Daniel J C Kronauer
- 2Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065 USA
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72
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Brasero N, Martinet B, Lecocq T, Lhomme P, Biella P, Valterová I, Urbanová K, Cornalba M, Hines H, Rasmont P. The cephalic labial gland secretions of two socially parasitic bumblebees Bombus hyperboreus (Alpinobombus) and Bombus inexspectatus (Thoracobombus) question their inquiline strategy. INSECT SCIENCE 2018; 25:75-86. [PMID: 27696706 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Social parasitic Hymenopterans have evolved morphological, chemical, and behavioral adaptations to overcome the sophisticated recognition and defense systems of their social host to invade host nests and exploit their worker force. In bumblebees, social parasitism appeared in at least 3 subgenera independently: in the subgenus Psithyrus consisting entirely of parasitic species, in the subgenus Alpinobombus with Bombus hyperboreus, and in the subgenus Thoracobombus with B. inexspectatus. Cuckoo bumblebee males utilize species-specific cephalic labial gland secretions for mating purposes that can impact their inquiline strategy. We performed cephalic labial gland secretions in B. hyperboreus, B. inexspectatus and their hosts. Males of both parasitic species exhibited high species specific levels of cephalic gland secretions, including different main compounds. Our results showed no chemical mimicry in the cephalic gland secretions between inquilines and their host and we did not identify the repellent compounds already known in other cuckoo bumblebees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Brasero
- Laboratory of Zoology, Research institute of Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Baptiste Martinet
- Laboratory of Zoology, Research institute of Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Thomas Lecocq
- Laboratory of Zoology, Research institute of Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
- Research Unit Animal and Functionalities of Animal Products (URAFPA), University of Lorraine-INRA, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Patrick Lhomme
- Department of Biology, the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Paolo Biella
- Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Irena Valterová
- Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Klára Urbanová
- Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Prague, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Department of Sustainable Technologies, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Heather Hines
- Department of Biology, the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Pierre Rasmont
- Laboratory of Zoology, Research institute of Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
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73
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Chomicki G, Renner SS. The interactions of ants with their biotic environment. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2017.0013. [PMID: 28298352 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This special feature results from the symposium 'Ants 2016: ant interactions with their biotic environments' held in Munich in May 2016 and deals with the interactions between ants and other insects, plants, microbes and fungi, studied at micro- and macroevolutionary levels with a wide range of approaches, from field ecology to next-generation sequencing, chemical ecology and molecular genetics. In this paper, we review key aspects of these biotic interactions to provide background information for the papers of this special feature After listing the major types of biotic interactions that ants engage in, we present a brief overview of ant/ant communication, ant/plant interactions, ant/fungus symbioses, and recent insights about ants and their endosymbionts. Using a large molecular clock-dated Formicidae phylogeny, we map the evolutionary origins of different ant clades' interactions with plants, fungi and hemiptera. Ants' biotic interactions provide ideal systems to address fundamental ecological and evolutionary questions about mutualism, coevolution, adaptation and animal communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Chomicki
- Systematic Botany and Mycology, University of Munich (LMU), Menzinger Strasse 67, 80638 Munich, Germany
| | - Susanne S Renner
- Systematic Botany and Mycology, University of Munich (LMU), Menzinger Strasse 67, 80638 Munich, Germany
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74
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Kleeberg I, Menzel F, Foitzik S. The influence of slavemaking lifestyle, caste and sex on chemical profiles in Temnothorax ants: insights into the evolution of cuticular hydrocarbons. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2016.2249. [PMID: 28298345 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.2249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical communication is central for the formation and maintenance of insect societies. Generally, social insects only allow nest-mates into their colony, which are recognized by their cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs). Social parasites, which exploit insect societies, are selected to circumvent host recognition. Here, we studied whether chemical strategies to reduce recognition evolved convergently in slavemaking ants, and whether they extend to workers, queens and males alike. We studied CHCs of three social parasites and their related hosts to investigate whether the parasitic lifestyle selects for specific chemical traits that reduce host recognition. Slavemaker profiles were characterized by shorter-chained hydrocarbons and a shift from methyl-branched alkanes to n-alkanes, presumably to reduce recognition cue quantity. These shifts were consistent across independent origins of slavery and were found in isolated ants and those emerging in their mother colony. Lifestyle influenced profiles of workers most profoundly, with little effect on virgin queen profiles. We detected an across-species caste signal, with workers, for which nest-mate recognition is particularly important, carrying more and longer-chained hydrocarbons and males exhibiting a larger fraction of n-alkanes. This comprehensive study of CHCs across castes and species reveals how lifestyle-specific selection can result in convergent evolution of chemical phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Kleeberg
- Institute of Zoology, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Johannes-von-Müller Weg 6, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Florian Menzel
- Institute of Zoology, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Johannes-von-Müller Weg 6, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Susanne Foitzik
- Institute of Zoology, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Johannes-von-Müller Weg 6, Mainz 55128, Germany
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75
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Cremer S, Pull CD, Fürst MA. Social Immunity: Emergence and Evolution of Colony-Level Disease Protection. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 63:105-123. [PMID: 28945976 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-020117-043110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Social insect colonies have evolved many collectively performed adaptations that reduce the impact of infectious disease and that are expected to maximize their fitness. This colony-level protection is termed social immunity, and it enhances the health and survival of the colony. In this review, we address how social immunity emerges from its mechanistic components to produce colony-level disease avoidance, resistance, and tolerance. To understand the evolutionary causes and consequences of social immunity, we highlight the need for studies that evaluate the effects of social immunity on colony fitness. We discuss the roles that host life history and ecology have on predicted eco-evolutionary dynamics, which differ among the social insect lineages. Throughout the review, we highlight current gaps in our knowledge and promising avenues for future research, which we hope will bring us closer to an integrated understanding of socio-eco-evo-immunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Cremer
- IST Austria (Institute of Science and Technology Austria), Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria; ,
| | - Christopher D Pull
- IST Austria (Institute of Science and Technology Austria), Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria; ,
- Current affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, United Kingdom;
| | - Matthias A Fürst
- IST Austria (Institute of Science and Technology Austria), Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria; ,
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76
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Schönrogge K, Barbero F, Casacci L, Settele J, Thomas J. Acoustic communication within ant societies and its mimicry by mutualistic and socially parasitic myrmecophiles. Anim Behav 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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77
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Beros S, Foitzik S, Menzel F. What are the Mechanisms Behind a Parasite-Induced Decline in Nestmate Recognition in Ants? J Chem Ecol 2017; 43:869-880. [DOI: 10.1007/s10886-017-0880-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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78
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Wurdack M, Polidori C, Keller A, Feldhaar H, Schmitt T. Release from prey preservation behavior via prey switch allowed diversification of cuticular hydrocarbon profiles in digger wasps. Evolution 2017; 71:2562-2571. [PMID: 28791674 DOI: 10.1111/evo.13322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2017] [Revised: 07/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The cuticle of insects is covered by a layer of hydrocarbons (CHC), whose original function is the protection from desiccation and pathogens. However, in most insects CHC profiles are species specific. While this variability among species was largely linked to communication and recognition functions, additional selective forces may shape insect CHC profiles. Here, we show that in Philanthinae digger wasps (Crabronidae) the CHC profile coevolved with a peculiar brood-care strategy. In particular, we found that the behavior to embalm prey stored in the nest with hydrocarbons is adaptive to protect larval food from fungi in those species hunting for Hymenoptera. The prey embalming secretion is identical in composition to the alkene-dominated CHC profile in these species, suggesting that their profile is adaptively conserved for this purpose. In contrast, prey embalming is not required in those species that switched to Coleoptera as prey. Released from this chemical brood-care strategy, Coleoptera-hunting species considerably diversified their CHC profiles. Differential needs to successfully protect prey types used as larval food have thus driven the diversification of CHCs profiles of female Philanthinae wasps. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence of a direct link between selection pressure for food preservation and CHC diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike Wurdack
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology, University of Freiburg, Hauptstrasse 1, D-79114 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Carlo Polidori
- Institute of Environmental Sciences (ICAM), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avenida Carlos III, s/n; E-45071 Toledo, Spain
| | - Alexander Keller
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany.,Center for Computational and Theoretical Biology, Campus Nord, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Heike Feldhaar
- Department of Animal Ecology I, Bayreuth Center for Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Thomas Schmitt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
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79
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Arthropods Associate with their Red Wood ant Host without Matching Nestmate Recognition Cues. J Chem Ecol 2017; 43:644-661. [PMID: 28744733 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-017-0868-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Social insect colonies provide a valuable resource that attracts and offers shelter to a large community of arthropods. Previous research has suggested that many specialist parasites of social insects chemically mimic their host in order to evade aggression. In the present study, we carry out a systematic study to test how common such chemical deception is across a group of 22 arthropods that are associated with red wood ants (Formica rufa group). In contrast to the examples of chemical mimicry documented in some highly specialized parasites in previous studies, we find that most of the rather unspecialized red wood ant associates surveyed did not use mimicry of the cuticular hydrocarbon recognition cues to evade host detection. Instead, we found that myrmecophiles with lower cuticular hydrocarbon concentrations provoked less host aggression. Therefore, some myrmecophiles with low hydrocarbon concentrations appear to evade host detection via a strategy known as chemical insignificance. Others showed no chemical disguise at all and, instead, relied on behavioral adaptations such as particular defense or evasion tactics, in order to evade host aggression. Overall, this study indicates that unspecialized myrmecophiles do not require the matching of host recognition cues and advanced strategies of chemical mimicry, but can integrate in a hostile ant nest via either chemical insignificance or specific behavioral adaptations.
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80
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Csata E, Timuş N, Witek M, Casacci LP, Lucas C, Bagnères AG, Sztencel-Jabłonka A, Barbero F, Bonelli S, Rákosy L, Markó B. Lock-picks: fungal infection facilitates the intrusion of strangers into ant colonies. Sci Rep 2017; 7:46323. [PMID: 28402336 PMCID: PMC5389342 DOI: 10.1038/srep46323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies investigating host-parasite systems rarely deal with multispecies interactions, and mostly explore impacts on hosts as individuals. Much less is known about the effects at colony level, when parasitism involves host organisms that form societies. We surveyed the effect of an ectoparasitic fungus, Rickia wasmannii, on kin-discrimination abilities of its host ant, Myrmica scabrinodis, identifying potential consequences at social level and subsequent changes in colony infiltration success of other organisms. Analyses of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), known to be involved in insects' discrimination processes, revealed variations in chemical profiles correlated with the infection status of the ants, that could not be explained by genetic variation tested by microsatellites. In behavioural assays, fungus-infected workers were less aggressive towards both non-nestmates and unrelated queens, enhancing the probability of polygyny. Likewise, parasitic larvae of Maculinea butterflies had a higher chance of adoption by infected colonies. Our study indicates that pathogens can modify host recognition abilities, making the society more prone to accept both conspecific and allospecific organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enikő Csata
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Natalia Timuş
- Department of Taxonomy and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Magdalena Witek
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wilcza 64, 00-679, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Luca Pietro Casacci
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10023 Torino, Italy
| | - Christophe Lucas
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l’Insecte, UMR CNRS 7261, Université François Rabelais, 37200 Tours, France
| | - Anne-Geneviève Bagnères
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l’Insecte, UMR CNRS 7261, Université François Rabelais, 37200 Tours, France
| | - Anna Sztencel-Jabłonka
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wilcza 64, 00-679, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Francesca Barbero
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10023 Torino, Italy
| | - Simona Bonelli
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10023 Torino, Italy
| | - László Rákosy
- Department of Taxonomy and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Bálint Markó
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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81
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Lorenzi MC, Azzani L, Bagnères AG. Divergence in Cuticular Chemical Signatures between Isolated Populations of an Intraspecific Social Parasite. Front Ecol Evol 2017. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2017.00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
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82
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Schmid-Hempel P. Parasites and Their Social Hosts. Trends Parasitol 2017; 33:453-462. [PMID: 28169113 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Revised: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The study of parasitism in socially living organisms shows that social group size correlates with the risk of infection, but group structure - and thus differences in contact networks - is generally more important. Also, genetic makeup or environmental conditions have effects. 'Social immunity' focuses on defence against parasites that are particular to social living. Recently, the role of socially transmitted microbiota for defence has become a focus, too. But whether and how parasites adapt to social organisms - beyond adaptation to solitary hosts - is poorly understood. Genomic and proteomic methods, as well as network analysis, will be tools that hold promise for many unsolved questions, but to expand our concepts in the first place is a much needed agenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Schmid-Hempel
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Integrative Biology (IBZ), ETH-Zentrum CHN, Universitätsstrasse 16, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
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83
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Wurdack M, Herbertz S, Dowling D, Kroiss J, Strohm E, Baur H, Niehuis O, Schmitt T. Striking cuticular hydrocarbon dimorphism in the mason wasp Odynerus spinipes and its possible evolutionary cause (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae, Vespidae). Proc Biol Sci 2017; 282:20151777. [PMID: 26674944 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2015.1777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cleptoparasitic wasps and bees smuggle their eggs into the nest of a host organism. Here the larvae of the cleptoparasite feed upon the food provision intended for the offspring of the host. As cleptoparasitism incurs a loss of fitness for the host organism (offspring of the host fail to develop), hosts of cleptoparasites are expected to exploit cues that alert them to potential cleptoparasite infestation. Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) could serve as such cues, as insects inevitably leave traces of them behind when entering a nest. By mimicking the host's CHC profile, cleptoparasites can conceal their presence and evade detection by their host. Previous studies have provided evidence of cleptoparasites mimicking their host's CHC profile. However, the impact of this strategy on the evolution of the host's CHC profile has remained unexplored. Here, we present results from our investigation of a host-cleptoparasite system consisting of a single mason wasp species that serves syntopically as the host to three cuckoo wasp species. We found that the spiny mason wasp (Odynerus spinipes) is able to express two substantially different CHC profiles, each of which is seemingly mimicked by a cleptoparasitic cuckoo wasp (i.e. Chrysis mediata and Pseudospinolia neglecta). The CHC profile of the third cuckoo wasp (Chrysis viridula), a species not expected to benefit from mimicking its host's CHC profile because of its particular oviposition strategy, differs from the two CHC profiles of its host. Our results corroborate the idea that the similarity of the CHC profiles between cleptoparasitic cuckoo wasps and their hosts are the result of chemical mimicry. They further suggest that cleptoparasites may represent a hitherto unappreciated force that drives the evolution of their hosts' CHCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike Wurdack
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology, University of Freiburg, Hauptstraße 1, Freiburg 79114, Germany Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg 97074, Germany
| | - Sina Herbertz
- Center for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, Bonn 53113, Germany
| | - Daniel Dowling
- Center for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, Bonn 53113, Germany
| | - Johannes Kroiss
- Research Group Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute of Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, Jena 07745, Germany
| | - Erhard Strohm
- Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, Regensburg 93040, Germany
| | - Hannes Baur
- Department of Invertebrates, Natural History Museum Bern, Bernastrasse 15, Bern 3005, Switzerland Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 6, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Niehuis
- Center for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, Bonn 53113, Germany
| | - Thomas Schmitt
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology, University of Freiburg, Hauptstraße 1, Freiburg 79114, Germany Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg 97074, Germany
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84
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Włodarczyk T, Szczepaniak L. Facultative slave-making ants Formica sanguinea label their slaves with own recognition cues instead of employing the strategy of chemical mimicry. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 96:98-107. [PMID: 27794425 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2016.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Slave-making ant species use the host workforce to ensure normal colony functioning. Slaves are robbed as pupae from their natal nest and after eclosion, assume the parasite colony as their own. A possible factor promoting the successful integration of slaves into a foreign colony is congruence with the slave-makers in terms of cuticular hydrocarbons, which are known to play the role of recognition cues in social insects. Such an adaptation is observed in the obligate slave-making ant species, which are chemically adjusted to their slaves. To date, however, no reports have been available on facultative slave-making species, which represent an earlier stage of the evolution of slavery. Such an example is Formica sanguinea, which exploit F. fusca colonies as their main source of a slave workforce. Our results show that F. sanguinea ants have a distinct cuticular hydrocarbon profile, which contains compounds not present in free-living F. fusca ants from potential target nests. Moreover, enslaved F. fusca ants acquire hydrocarbons from their slave-making nestmates to such an extent that they become chemically differentiated from free-living, conspecific ants. Our study shows that F. sanguinea ants promote their own recognition cues in their slaves, rather than employing the strategy of chemical mimicry. Possible reasons why F. sanguinea is not chemically well adjusted to its main host species are discussed in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Włodarczyk
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, University of Białystok, Ciołkowskiego 1J, 15-245 Białystok, Poland.
| | - Lech Szczepaniak
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, University of Białystok, Ciołkowskiego 1K, 15-245 Białystok, Poland
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85
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Dejean A, Azémar F, Libert M, Compin A, Hérault B, Orivel J, Bouyer T, Corbara B. Ant-lepidopteran associations along African forest edges. Naturwissenschaften 2016; 104:7. [PMID: 28035457 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-016-1424-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Working along forest edges, we aimed to determine how some caterpillars can co-exist with territorially dominant arboreal ants (TDAAs) in tropical Africa. We recorded caterpillars from 22 lepidopteran species living in the presence of five TDAA species. Among the defoliator and/or nectarivorous caterpillars that live on tree foliage, the Pyralidae and Nymphalidae use their silk to protect themselves from ant attacks. The Notodontidae and lycaenid Polyommatinae and Theclinae live in direct contact with ants; the Theclinae even reward ants with abundant secretions from their Newcomer gland. Lichen feeders (lycaenid; Poritiinae), protected by long bristles, also live among ants. Some lycaenid Miletinae caterpillars feed on ant-attended membracids, including in the shelters where the ants attend them; Lachnocnema caterpillars use their forelegs to obtain trophallaxis from their host ants. Caterpillars from other species live inside weaver ant nests. Those of the genus Euliphyra (Miletinae) feed on ant prey and brood and can obtain trophallaxis, while those from an Eberidae species only prey on host ant eggs. Eublemma albifascia (Erebidae) caterpillars use their thoracic legs to obtain trophallaxis and trophic eggs from ants. Through transfer bioassays of last instars, we noted that herbivorous caterpillars living in contact with ants were always accepted by alien conspecific ants; this is likely due to an intrinsic appeasing odor. Yet, caterpillars living in ant shelters or ant nests probably acquire cues from their host colonies because they were considered aliens and killed. We conclude that co-evolution with ants occurred similarly in the Heterocera and Rhopalocera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Dejean
- Ecolab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, UPS-ECOLAB, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse, France. .,CNRS, UMR EcoFoG, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRA, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, 97310, Kourou, France.
| | - Frédéric Azémar
- Ecolab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, UPS-ECOLAB, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Arthur Compin
- Ecolab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, UPS-ECOLAB, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse, France
| | - Bruno Hérault
- CNRS, UMR EcoFoG, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRA, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, 97310, Kourou, France
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS, UMR EcoFoG, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRA, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, 97310, Kourou, France
| | | | - Bruno Corbara
- CNRS, UMR Laboratoire Microorganismes, Génome et Environnement, Université Blaise Pascal, Complexe Scientifique des Cézeaux, 63177, Aubière Cedex, France.,Université Clermont Auvergne, Université Blaise Pascal (LMGE), 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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86
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Wang Q, Goodger JQD, Woodrow IE, Elgar MA. Location-specific cuticular hydrocarbon signals in a social insect. Proc Biol Sci 2016; 283:20160310. [PMID: 27030418 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.0310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Social insects use cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) to convey different social signals, including colony or nest identity. Despite extensive investigations, the exact source and identity of CHCs that act as nest-specific identification signals remain largely unknown. Perhaps this is because studies that identify CHC signals typically use organic solvents to extract a single sample from the entire animal, thereby analysing a cocktail of chemicals that may serve several signal functions. We took a novel approach by first identifying CHC profiles from different body parts of ants (Iridomyrmex purpureus), then used behavioural bioassays to reveal the location of specific social signals. The CHC profiles of both workers and alates varied between different body parts, and workers paid more attention to the antennae of non-nest-mate and the legs of nest-mate workers. Workers responded less aggressively to non-nest-mate workers if the CHCs on the antennae of their opponents were removed with a solvent. These data indicate that CHCs located on the antennae reveal nest-mate identity and, remarkably, that antennae both convey and receive social signals. Our approach and findings could be valuably applied to chemical signalling in other behavioural contexts, and provide insights that were otherwise obscured by including chemicals that either have no signal function or may be used in other contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qike Wang
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Jason Q D Goodger
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Ian E Woodrow
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Mark A Elgar
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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87
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Manna TJ, Hauber ME. Recognition, speciation, and conservation: recent progress in brood parasitism research among social insects. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2016.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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88
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Barbero F. Cuticular Lipids as a Cross-Talk among Ants, Plants and Butterflies. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17121966. [PMID: 27886144 PMCID: PMC5187766 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17121966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2016] [Revised: 11/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Even though insects and plants are distantly related organisms, they developed an integument which is functionally and structurally similar. Besides functioning as a physical barrier to cope with abiotic and biotic stress, this interface, called cuticle, is also a source of chemical signaling. Crucial compounds with this respect are surface lipids and especially cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs). This review is focused on the role of CHCs in fostering multilevel relationships among ants, plants and Lepidoptera (primarily butterflies). Indeed, particular traits of ants as eusocial organisms allowed the evolution and the maintenance of a variety of associations with both plants and animals. Basic concepts of myrmecophilous interactions and chemical deception strategies together with chemical composition, biosynthetic pathways and functions of CHCs as molecular cues of multitrophic systems are provided. Finally, the need to adopt a multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach in the survey of complex models is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Barbero
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Turin, Italy.
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89
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Mothapo NP, Wossler TC. “You are not always what you eat”: diet did not override intrinsic nestmate recognition cues in Argentine ants from two supercolonies in South Africa. AFRICAN ZOOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2016.1236670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natasha P Mothapo
- DST-NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Theresa C Wossler
- DST-NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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90
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The frog Lithodytes lineatus (Anura: Leptodactylidae) uses chemical recognition to live in colonies of leaf-cutting ants of the genus Atta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-016-2223-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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91
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Nehring V, Dani FR, Calamai L, Turillazzi S, Bohn H, Klass KD, d'Ettorre P. Chemical disguise of myrmecophilous cockroaches and its implications for understanding nestmate recognition mechanisms in leaf-cutting ants. BMC Ecol 2016; 16:35. [PMID: 27495227 PMCID: PMC4974750 DOI: 10.1186/s12898-016-0089-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cockroaches of the genus Attaphila regularly occur in leaf-cutting ant colonies. The ants farm a fungus that the cockroaches also appear to feed on. Cockroaches disperse between colonies horizontally (via foraging trails) and vertically (attached to queens on their mating flights). We analysed the chemical strategies used by the cockroaches to integrate into colonies of Atta colombica and Acromyrmex octospinosus. Analysing cockroaches from nests of two host species further allowed us to test the hypothesis that nestmate recognition is based on an asymmetric mechanism. Specifically, we test the U-present nestmate recognition model, which assumes that detection of undesirable cues (non-nestmate specific substances) leads to strong rejection of the cue-bearers, while absence of desirable cues (nestmate-specific substances) does not necessarily trigger aggression. RESULTS We found that nests of Atta and Acromyrmex contained cockroaches of two different and not yet described Attaphila species. The cockroaches share the cuticular chemical substances of their specific host species and copy their host nest's colony-specific cuticular profile. Indeed, the cockroaches are accepted by nestmate but attacked by non-nestmate ant workers. Cockroaches from Acromyrmex colonies bear a lower concentration of cuticular substances and are less likely to be attacked by non-nestmate ants than cockroaches from Atta colonies. CONCLUSIONS Nest-specific recognition of Attaphila cockroaches by host workers in combination with nest-specific cuticular chemical profiles suggest that the cockroaches mimic their host's recognition labels, either by synthesizing nest-specific substances or by substance transfer from ants. Our finding that the cockroach species with lower concentration of cuticular substances receives less aggression by both host species fully supports the U-present nestmate recognition model. Leaf-cutting ant nestmate recognition is thus asymmetric, responding more strongly to differences than to similarities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Nehring
- Centre for Social Evolution, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Department for Ecology and Evolution, Biology I, Freiburg University, Hauptstr. 1, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Francesca R Dani
- Centro di Servizi di Spettrometria di Massa (CISM), University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Luca Calamai
- Centro di Servizi di Spettrometria di Massa (CISM), University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienza del Suolo e Nutrizione della Pianta, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefano Turillazzi
- Department for Ecology and Evolution, Biology I, Freiburg University, Hauptstr. 1, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.,Centro di Servizi di Spettrometria di Massa (CISM), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Horst Bohn
- Zoologische Staatssammlung München, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Patrizia d'Ettorre
- Centre for Social Evolution, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Laboratoire d'Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée (LEEC), Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Villetaneuse, France
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92
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Social Structure and Genetic Distance Mediate Nestmate Recognition and Aggressiveness in the Facultative Polygynous Ant Pheidole pallidula. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156440. [PMID: 27243627 PMCID: PMC4886963 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In social insects, the evolutionary stability of cooperation depends on the privileged relationships between individuals of the social group, which is facilitated by the recognition of relatives. Nestmate recognition is based on genetically determined cues and/or environmentally derived chemical components present on the cuticle of individuals. Here, we studied nestmate recognition in the ant Pheidole pallidula, a species where both single-queen (monogyne) and multiple-queen (polygyne) colonies co-occur in the same population. We combined geographical, genetic and chemical analyses to disentangle the factors influencing the level of intraspecific aggressiveness. We show that encounters between workers from neighbouring colonies (i.e., nests less than 5 m away) are on average less aggressive than those between workers from more distant colonies. Aggressive behaviour is associated with the level of genetic difference: workers from monogyne colonies are more aggressive than workers from polygyne colonies, and the intensity of aggressiveness is positively associated with the genetic distance between colonies. Since the genetic distance is correlated with the spatial distance between pairs of colonies, the lower level of aggression toward neighbours may result from their higher relatedness. In contrast, the analysis of overall cuticular hydrocarbon profiles shows that aggressive behaviour is associated neither with the chemical diversity of colonies, nor with the chemical distances between them. When considering methyl-branched alkanes only, however, chemical distances differed between monogyne and polygyne colonies and were significantly associated with aggressiveness. Altogether, these results show that the social structure of colonies and the genetic distances between colonies are two major factors influencing the intensity of agonistic behaviours in the ant P. pallidula.
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93
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Differential Sharing of Chemical Cues by Social Parasites Versus Social Mutualists in a Three-Species Symbiosis. J Chem Ecol 2016; 42:277-85. [DOI: 10.1007/s10886-016-0692-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2015] [Revised: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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94
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A cuckoo-like parasitic moth leads African weaver ant colonies to their ruin. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23778. [PMID: 27021621 PMCID: PMC4810499 DOI: 10.1038/srep23778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In myrmecophilous Lepidoptera, mostly lycaenids and riodinids, caterpillars trick ants into transporting them to the ant nest where they feed on the brood or, in the more derived “cuckoo strategy”, trigger regurgitations (trophallaxis) from the ants and obtain trophic eggs. We show for the first time that the caterpillars of a moth (Eublemma albifascia; Noctuidae; Acontiinae) also use this strategy to obtain regurgitations and trophic eggs from ants (Oecophylla longinoda). Females short-circuit the adoption process by laying eggs directly on the ant nests, and workers carry just-hatched caterpillars inside. Parasitized colonies sheltered 44 to 359 caterpillars, each receiving more trophallaxis and trophic eggs than control queens. The thus-starved queens lose weight, stop laying eggs (which transport the pheromones that induce infertility in the workers) and die. Consequently, the workers lay male-destined eggs before and after the queen’s death, allowing the colony to invest its remaining resources in male production before it vanishes.
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95
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VOCs-Mediated Location of Olive Fly Larvae by the Braconid Parasitoid Psyttalia concolor: A Multivariate Comparison among VOC Bouquets from Three Olive Cultivars. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:7827615. [PMID: 26989691 PMCID: PMC4775789 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7827615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Herbivorous activity induces plant indirect defenses, as the emission of herbivorous-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), which could be used by parasitoids for host location. Psyttalia concolor is a larval pupal endoparasitoid, attacking a number of tephritid flies including B. oleae. In this research, we investigated the olfactory cues routing host location behavior of P. concolor towards B. oleae larvae infesting three different olive cultivars. VOCs from infested and healthy fruits were identified using GC-MS analyses. In two-choice behavioral assays, P. concolor females preferred infested olive cues, which also evoked ovipositional probing by female wasps. GC-MS analysis showed qualitative and quantitative differences among volatiles emitted by infested and healthy olives. Volatile emissions were peculiar for each cultivar analyzed. Two putative HIPVs were detected in infested fruits, regardless of the cultivar, the monoterpene (E)-β-ocimene, and the sesquiterpene (E-E)-α-farnesene. Our study adds basic knowledge to the behavioral ecology of P. concolor. From an applied point of view, the field application of the above-mentioned VOCs may help to enhance effectiveness of biological control programs and parasitoid mass-rearing techniques.
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96
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Baracchi D, Petrocelli I, Chittka L, Ricciardi G, Turillazzi S. Speed and accuracy in nest-mate recognition: a hover wasp prioritizes face recognition over colony odour cues to minimize intrusion by outsiders. Proc Biol Sci 2016; 282:rspb.2014.2750. [PMID: 25652836 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.2750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Social insects have evolved sophisticated recognition systems enabling them to accept nest-mates but reject alien conspecifics. In the social wasp, Liostenogaster flavolineata (Stenogastrinae), individuals differ in their cuticular hydrocarbon profiles according to colony membership; each female also possesses a unique (visual) facial pattern. This species represents a unique model to understand how vision and olfaction are integrated and the extent to which wasps prioritize one channel over the other to discriminate aliens and nest-mates. Liostenogaster flavolineata females are able to discriminate between alien and nest-mate females using facial patterns or chemical cues in isolation. However, the two sensory modalities are not equally efficient in the discrimination of 'friend' from 'foe'. Visual cues induce an increased number of erroneous attacks on nest-mates (false alarms), but such attacks are quickly aborted and never result in serious injury. Odour cues, presented in isolation, result in an increased number of misses: erroneous acceptances of outsiders. Interestingly, wasps take the relative efficiencies of the two sensory modalities into account when making rapid decisions about colony membership of an individual: chemical profiles are entirely ignored when the visual and chemical stimuli are presented together. Thus, wasps adopt a strategy to 'err on the safe side' by memorizing individual faces to recognize colony members, and disregarding odour cues to minimize the risk of intrusion from colony outsiders.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Baracchi
- Biological and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Madonna del Piano, Sesto Fiorentino 650019, Italy
| | - I Petrocelli
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Madonna del Piano, Sesto Fiorentino 650019, Italy
| | - L Chittka
- Biological and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - G Ricciardi
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Madonna del Piano, Sesto Fiorentino 650019, Italy
| | - S Turillazzi
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Madonna del Piano, Sesto Fiorentino 650019, Italy
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97
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Parmentier T, Dekoninck W, Wenseleers T. Do well-integrated species of an inquiline community have a lower brood predation tendency? A test using red wood ant myrmecophiles. BMC Evol Biol 2016; 16:12. [PMID: 26781178 PMCID: PMC4717668 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-016-0583-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A host infected with multiple parasitic species provides a unique system to test evolutionary and ecological hypotheses. Different parasitic species associated with a single host are expected to occupy different niches. This niche specialization can evolve from intraguild competition among parasites. However, niche specialization can also be structured directly by the host when its defence strategy depends on the parasite's potential impact. Then it can be expected that species with low or no tendency to prey on host brood will elicit less aggression than severe brood parasitic species and will be able to integrate better in the host system. We examined this hypothesis in a large community of symbionts associated with European red wood ants (Formica rufa group) by testing the association between 1) level of symbiont integration (i.e. presence in dense brood chambers vs. less populated chambers without brood) 2) level of ant aggression towards the symbiont 3) brood predation tendency of the symbiont. RESULTS Symbionts differed vastly in integration level and we demonstrated for the first time that relatively unspecialized ant symbionts or myrmecophiles occur preferentially in brood chambers. Based on their integration level, we categorize the tested myrmecophiles into three categories: 1) species attracted to the dense brood chambers 2) species rarely or never present in the brood chambers 3) species randomly distributed throughout the nest. The associates varied greatly in brood predation tendency and in aggression elicited. However, we did not find a correlation for the whole myrmecophile community between a) brood predation tendency and host's aggression b) integration level and host's aggression c) integration level and brood predation tendency. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that red wood ants did not act more hostile towards species that have a high tendency to prey on brood compared to species that are less likely or do not prey on brood. We show that potentially harmful parasites can penetrate into the deepest parts of a social insect fortress. We discuss these seemingly paradoxical findings in relation to models on coevolution and evolutionary arms races and list factors which can make the presence of potentially harmful parasites within the brood chambers evolutionary stable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Parmentier
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Socioevolution, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,Entomology Department, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, B-1000, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Wouter Dekoninck
- Entomology Department, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, B-1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tom Wenseleers
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Socioevolution, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
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98
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Agrain FA, Buffington ML, Chaboo CS, Chamorro ML, Schöller M. Leaf beetles are ant-nest beetles: the curious life of the juvenile stages of case-bearers (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cryptocephalinae). Zookeys 2015:133-64. [PMID: 26798319 PMCID: PMC4714338 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.547.6098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Although some species of Cryptocephalinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) have been documented with ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) for almost 200 years, information on this association is fragmentary. This contribution synthesizes extant literature and analysizes the data for biological patterns. Myrmecophily is more common in the tribe Clytrini than in Cryptocephalini, but not documented for Fulcidacini or the closely-related Lamprosomatinae. Myrmecophilous cryptocephalines (34 species in 14 genera) primarily live among formicine and myrmecines ants as hosts. These two ant lineages are putative sister-groups, with their root-node dated to between 77–90 mya. In the New World tropics, the relatively recent radiation of ants from moist forests to more xeric ecosystems might have propelled the association of cryptocephalines and ant nests. Literature records suggest that the defensive behavioral profile or chemical profile (or both) of these ants has been exploited by cryptocephalines. Another pattern appears to be that specialized natural enemies, especially parasitoid Hymenoptera, exploit cryptocephaline beetles inside the ant nests. With the extant data at hand, based on the minimum age of a fossil larva dated to 45 mya, we can infer that the origin of cryptocephaline myrmecophily could have arisen within the Upper Cretaceous or later. It remains unknown how many times myrmecophily has appeared, or how old is the behavior. This uncertainty is compounded by incongruent hypotheses about the origins of Chrysomelidae and angiosperm-associated lineages of cryptocephalines. Living with ants offers multiple advantages that might have aided the colonization of xeric environments by some cryptocephaline species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico A Agrain
- Laboratorio de Entomología, IADIZA, CCT-CONICET, CC507, 5500, Av. A. Ruiz Leal s/n, Pque. Gral. San Martin, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Matthew L Buffington
- Systematic Entomology Laboratory, ARS-USDA, MRC 168, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution P.O. Box 37012, Washington, DC, 20013-7012, U.S.A
| | - Caroline S Chaboo
- Division of Entomology, 1501 Crestline Drive, Suite 140, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, U.S.A
| | - Maria L Chamorro
- Systematic Entomology Laboratory, ARS-USDA, MRC 168, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution P.O. Box 37012, Washington, DC, 20013-7012, U.S.A
| | - Matthias Schöller
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Faculty of Life Sciences, Lentzeallee 55/57, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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Ouagoussounon I, Offenberg J, Sinzogan A, Adandonon A, Kossou D, Vayssières JF. Founding weaver ant queens (Oecophylla longinoda) increase production and nanitic worker size when adopting non-nestmate pupae. SPRINGERPLUS 2015; 4:6. [PMID: 25995983 PMCID: PMC4429428 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-4-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Weaver ants (Oecophylla longinoda Latreille) are used commercially to control pest insects and for protein production. In this respect fast colony growth is desirable for managed colonies. Transplantation of non-nestmate pupae to incipient colonies has been shown to boost colony growth. Our objectives were to find the maximum number of pupae a founding queen can handle, and to measure the associated colony growth. Secondly, we tested if transplantation of pupae led to production of larger nanitic workers (defined as unusually small worker ants produced by founding queens in their first batch of offspring). Forty-five fertilized queens were divided into three treatments: 0 (control), 100 or 300 non-nestmate pupae transplanted to each colony. Pupae transplantation resulted in highly increased growth rates, as pupae were readily adopted by the queens and showed high proportions of surviving (mean = 76%). However, survival was significantly higher when 100 pupae were transplanted compared to transplantation of 300 pupae, indicating that queens were unable to handle 300 pupae adequately and that pupae require some amount of nursing. Nevertheless, within the 60-day experiment the transplantation of 300 pupae increased total colony size more than 10-fold whereas 100 pupae increased the size 5.6 fold, compared to control. This increase was due not only to the individuals added in the form of pupae but also to an increased per capita brood production by the resident queen, triggered by the adopted pupae. The size of hatching pupae produced by the resident queen also increased with the number of pupae transplanted, leading to larger nanitic workers in colonies adopting pupae. In conclusion, pupae transplantation may be used to produce larger colonies with larger worker ants and may thus reduce the time to produce weaver ant colonies for commercial purposes. This in turn may facilitate the implementation of the use of weaver ants.
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Van Oystaeyen A, van Zweden JS, Huyghe H, Drijfhout F, Bonckaert W, Wenseleers T. Chemical Strategies of the Beetle Metoecus Paradoxus, Social Parasite of the Wasp Vespula Vulgaris. J Chem Ecol 2015; 41:1137-47. [PMID: 26615426 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-015-0652-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Revised: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The parasitoid beetle Metoecus paradoxus frequently parasitizes colonies of the common wasp, Vespula vulgaris. It penetrates a host colony as a larva that attaches itself onto a foraging wasp's body and, once inside the nest, it feeds on a wasp larva inside a brood cell and then pupates. Avoiding detection by the wasp host is crucial when the beetle emerges. Here, we tested whether adult M. paradoxus beetles avoid detection by mimicking the cuticular hydrocarbon profile of their host. The beetles appear to be chemically adapted to their main host species, the common wasp, because they share more hydrocarbon compounds with it than they do with the related German wasp, V. germanica. In addition, aggression tests showed that adult beetles were attacked less by common wasp workers than by German wasp workers. Our results further indicated that the host-specific compounds were, at least partially, produced through recycling of the prey's hydrocarbons, and were not acquired through contact with the adult host. Moreover, the chemical profile of the beetles shows overproduction of the wasp queen pheromone, nonacosane (n-C29), suggesting that beetles might mimic the queen's pheromonal bouquet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Van Oystaeyen
- Laboratory of Socioecology & Social Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Jelle S van Zweden
- Laboratory of Socioecology & Social Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Hilde Huyghe
- Laboratory of Socioecology & Social Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Falko Drijfhout
- Chemical Ecology Group, Lennard-Jones Laboratories, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK
| | - Wim Bonckaert
- Laboratory of Socioecology & Social Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tom Wenseleers
- Laboratory of Socioecology & Social Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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