1
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Maimone NM, Apaza-Castillo GA, Quecine MC, de Lira SP. Accessing the specialized metabolome of actinobacteria from the bulk soil of Paullinia cupana Mart. on the Brazilian Amazon: a promising source of bioactive compounds against soybean phytopathogens. Braz J Microbiol 2024; 55:1863-1882. [PMID: 38421597 PMCID: PMC11153476 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01286-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The Amazon rainforest, an incredibly biodiverse ecosystem, has been increasingly vulnerable to deforestation. Despite its undeniable importance and potential, the Amazonian microbiome has historically received limited study, particularly in relation to its unique arsenal of specialized metabolites. Therefore, in this study our aim was to assess the metabolic diversity and the antifungal activity of actinobacterial strains isolated from the bulk soil of Paullinia cupana, a native crop, in the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest. Extracts from 24 strains were subjected to UPLC-MS/MS analysis using an integrative approach that relied on the Chemical Structural and Compositional Similarity (CSCS) metric, GNPS molecular networking, and in silico dereplication tools. This procedure allowed the comprehensive understanding of the chemical space encompassed by these actinobacteria, which consists of features belonging to known bioactive metabolite classes and several unannotated molecular families. Among the evaluated strains, five isolates exhibited bioactivity against a panel of soybean fungal phytopathogens (Rhizoctonia solani, Macrophomina phaseolina, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum). A focused inspection led to the annotation of pepstatins, oligomycins, hydroxamate siderophores and dorrigocins as metabolites produced by these bioactive strains, with potentially unknown compounds also comprising their metabolomes. This study introduces a pragmatic protocol grounded in established and readily available tools for the annotation of metabolites and the prioritization of strains to optimize further isolation of specialized metabolites. Conclusively, we demonstrate the relevance of the Amazonian actinobacteria as sources for bioactive metabolites useful for agriculture. We also emphasize the importance of preserving this biome and conducting more in-depth studies on its microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naydja Moralles Maimone
- College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", Department of Exact Sciences, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, 13418-900, Brazil
| | - Gladys Angélica Apaza-Castillo
- College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", Department of Genetics, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, 13418-900, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina Quecine
- College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", Department of Genetics, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, 13418-900, Brazil
| | - Simone Possedente de Lira
- College of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", Department of Exact Sciences, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, 13418-900, Brazil.
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2
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Santos GKN, Navarro DMDAF, Maia ACD. Cuticular lipid profiles of selected species of cyclocephaline beetles (Melolonthidae, Cyclocephalini). BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2024; 114:124-133. [PMID: 38268108 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485323000664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Neotropical cyclocephaline beetles, a diverse group of flower-loving insects, significantly impact natural and agricultural ecosystems. In particular, the genus Cyclocephala, with over 350 species, displays polymorphism and cryptic complexes. Lacking a comprehensive DNA barcoding framework, accessible tools for species differentiation are needed for research in taxonomy, ecology, and crop management. Moreover, cuticular hydrocarbons are believed to be involved in sexual recognition mechanisms in these beetles. In the present study we examined the cuticular chemical profiles of six species from the genus Cyclocephala and two populations of Erioscelis emarginata and assessed their efficiency in population, species, and sex differentiation. Overall we identified 74 compounds in cuticular extracts of the selected taxa. Linear alkanes and unsaturated hydrocarbons were prominent, with ten compounds between them explaining 85.6% of species dissimilarity. Although the cuticular chemical profiles efficiently differentiated all investigated taxa, only C. ohausiana showed significant cuticular profile differences between sexes. Our analysis also revealed two E. emarginata clades within a larger group of 'Cyclocephala' species, but they were not aligned with the two studied populations. Our research underscores the significance of cuticular lipid profiles in distinguishing selected cyclocephaline beetle species and contemplates their potential impact as contact pheromones on sexual segregation and speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geanne Karla N Santos
- Secretaria Executiva de Meio Ambiente de Paulista (SEMA), Prefeitura Municipal do Paulista, Paulista, 53401-441, Brazil
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, 50740-560, Brazil
| | - Daniela Maria do Amaral F Navarro
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, 50740-560, Brazil
| | - Artur Campos D Maia
- Department of Zoology, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife PE, 50670-901, Brazil
- Laboratory of Sciences for the Environment, University of Corsica, UMR 6134 SPE, Ajaccio, France
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3
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Zulfiqar M, Singh V, Steinbeck C, Sorokina M. Review on computer-assisted biosynthetic capacities elucidation to assess metabolic interactions and communication within microbial communities. Crit Rev Microbiol 2024:1-40. [PMID: 38270170 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2024.2306465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Microbial communities thrive through interactions and communication, which are challenging to study as most microorganisms are not cultivable. To address this challenge, researchers focus on the extracellular space where communication events occur. Exometabolomics and interactome analysis provide insights into the molecules involved in communication and the dynamics of their interactions. Advances in sequencing technologies and computational methods enable the reconstruction of taxonomic and functional profiles of microbial communities using high-throughput multi-omics data. Network-based approaches, including community flux balance analysis, aim to model molecular interactions within and between communities. Despite these advances, challenges remain in computer-assisted biosynthetic capacities elucidation, requiring continued innovation and collaboration among diverse scientists. This review provides insights into the current state and future directions of computer-assisted biosynthetic capacities elucidation in studying microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahnoor Zulfiqar
- Institute for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Vinay Singh
- Institute for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Christoph Steinbeck
- Institute for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Maria Sorokina
- Institute for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
- Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Research and Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer, Berlin, Germany
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4
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Musso AE, Fortier C, Huber DPW, Carroll AL, Evenden ML. Naïve Pine Terpene Response to the Mountain Pine Beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) through the Seasons. J Chem Ecol 2023; 49:299-312. [PMID: 36929332 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-023-01418-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Insect herbivores must contend with constitutive and induced plant defenses. The mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) has expanded its range east of the Rocky Mountains into the western boreal forest and is encountering evolutionarily naïve lodgepole pines (Pinus contorta) and jack pines (Pinus banksiana). Pinus contorta and P. banksiana in the expanded range have different constitutive and induced defenses in response to wounding and inoculation with fungal associates of D. ponderosae. In the historic range, previous studies have examined phloem terpene content prior to and just after D. ponderosae mass attack, but the terpene profile of attacked trees post-overwintering is unknown. We examined the response of mature P. contorta and P. banksiana trees to experimentally-applied mass attack by D. ponderosae and quantified phloem terpenes at three time points, pre-attack, post-attack (same season), and the following spring, post-overwintering. Phloem content of total terpenes as well as many individual terpenes increased after D. ponderosae attack but were only significantly higher than pre-attack levels at the post-overwintering time point in both P. contorta and P. banksiana. The absence of a significant increase in phloem terpenes in the month following attack in naïve pines is a potential cause for increased D. ponderosae offspring production reported in naïve P. contorta. Beetle attack density did not influence the phloem terpene profiles of either species and there was no significant interaction between attack density and sampling time on terpene content. High phloem terpenes in trees that are attacked at low densities could prime these trees for defense against attacks in the following season but it could also make these trees more apparent to early-foraging beetles and facilitate efficient mass attack at low D. ponderosae population densities in the expanded range.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Musso
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
| | - C Fortier
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - D P W Huber
- Ecosystem Science and Management Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC, Canada
| | - A L Carroll
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - M L Evenden
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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5
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Miller CV, Pittman M, Wang X, Zheng X, Bright JA. Quantitative investigation of pengornithid enantiornithine diet reveals macrocarnivorous ecology evolved in birds by Early Cretaceous. iScience 2023; 26:106211. [PMID: 36923002 PMCID: PMC10009206 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The diet of Mesozoic birds is poorly known, limiting evolutionary understanding of birds' roles in modern ecosystems. Pengornithidae is one of the best understood families of Mesozoic birds, hypothesized to eat insects or only small amounts of meat. We investigate these hypotheses with four lines of evidence: estimated body mass, claw traditional morphometrics, jaw mechanical advantage, and jaw finite element analysis. Owing to limited data, the diets of Eopengornis and Chiappeavis remain obscure. Pengornis, Parapengornis, and Yuanchuavis show adaptations for vertebrate carnivory. Pengornis also has talons similar to living raptorial birds like caracaras that capture and kill large prey, which represents the earliest known adaptation for macrocarnivory in a bird. This supports the appearance of this ecology ∼35 million years earlier than previously thought. These findings greatly increase the niche breadth known for Early Cretaceous birds, and shift the prevailing view that Mesozoic birds mainly occupied low trophic levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Case Vincent Miller
- Department of Earth Sciences, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Michael Pittman
- School of Life Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Linyi University, Linyi, Shandong 276005, China.,Shandong Tianyu Museum of Nature, Pingyi, Shandong 273300, China
| | - Xiaoting Zheng
- Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Linyi University, Linyi, Shandong 276005, China.,Shandong Tianyu Museum of Nature, Pingyi, Shandong 273300, China
| | - Jen A Bright
- Department of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
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6
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Petrén H, Köllner TG, Junker RR. Quantifying chemodiversity considering biochemical and structural properties of compounds with the R package chemodiv. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 237:2478-2492. [PMID: 36527232 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Plants produce large numbers of phytochemical compounds affecting plant physiology and interactions with their biotic and abiotic environment. Recently, chemodiversity has attracted considerable attention as an ecologically and evolutionary meaningful way to characterize the phenotype of a mixture of phytochemical compounds. Currently used measures of phytochemical diversity, and related measures of phytochemical dissimilarity, generally do not take structural or biosynthetic properties of compounds into account. Such properties can be indicative of the compounds' function and inform about their biosynthetic (in)dependence, and should therefore be included in calculations of these measures. We introduce the R package chemodiv, which retrieves biochemical and structural properties of compounds from databases and provides functions for calculating and visualizing chemical diversity and dissimilarity for phytochemicals and other types of compounds. Our package enables calculations of diversity that takes the richness, relative abundance and - most importantly - structural and/or biosynthetic dissimilarity of compounds into account. We illustrate the use of the package with examples on simulated and real datasets. By providing the R package chemodiv for quantifying multiple aspects of chemodiversity, we hope to facilitate investigations of how chemodiversity varies across levels of biological organization, and its importance for the ecology and evolution of plants and other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hampus Petrén
- Evolutionary Ecology of Plants, Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Tobias G Köllner
- Department of Natural Product Biosynthesis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Robert R Junker
- Evolutionary Ecology of Plants, Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, 35043, Marburg, Germany
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
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7
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Cui Z, Li R, Li F, Jin L, Wu H, Cheng C, Ma Y, Wang Z, Wang Y. Structural characteristics and diversity of the rhizosphere bacterial communities of wild Fritillaria przewalskii Maxim. in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1070815. [PMID: 36876117 PMCID: PMC9981654 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1070815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Fritillaria przewalskii Maxim. is a Chinese endemic species with high medicinal value distributed in the northeastern part of the Tibetan Plateau. F. przewalskii root-associated rhizosphere bacterial communities shaped by soil properties may maintain the stability of soil structure and regulate F. przewalskii growth, but the rhizosphere bacterial community structure of wild F. przewalskii from natural populations is not clear. Methods In the current study, soil samples from 12 sites within the natural range of wild F. przewalskii were collected to investigate the compositions of bacterial communities via high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes and multivariate statistical analysis combined with soil properties and plant phenotypic characteristics. Results Bacterial communities varied between rhizosphere and bulk soil, and also between sites. Co-occurrence networks were more complex in rhizosphere soil (1,169 edges) than in bulk soil (676 edges). There were differences in bacterial communities between regions, including diversity and composition. Proteobacteria (26.47-37.61%), Bacteroidetes (10.53-25.22%), and Acidobacteria (10.45-23.54%) were the dominant bacteria, and all are associated with nutrient cycling. In multivariate statistical analysis, both soil properties and plant phenotypic characteristics were significantly associated with the bacterial community (p < 0.05). Soil physicochemical properties accounted for most community differences, and pH was a key factor (p < 0.01). Interestingly, when the rhizosphere soil environment remained alkaline, the C and N contents were lowest, as was the biomass of the medicinal part bulb. This might relate to the specific distribution of genera, such as Pseudonocardia, Ohtaekwangia, Flavobacterium (relative abundance >0.01), which all have significantly correlated with the biomass of F. przewalskii (p < 0.05). Discussion F. przewalskii is evidently averse to alkaline soil with high potassium contents, but this requires future verification. The results of the present study may provide theoretical guidance and new insights for the cultivation and domestication of F. przewalskii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijia Cui
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Northwest Collaborative Innovation Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Co-Constructed by Gansu Province & MOE of PRC, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Ran Li
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Fan Li
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Ling Jin
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Northwest Collaborative Innovation Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Co-Constructed by Gansu Province & MOE of PRC, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Haixu Wu
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Chunya Cheng
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yi Ma
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Northwest Collaborative Innovation Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Co-Constructed by Gansu Province & MOE of PRC, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Zhenheng Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Northwest Collaborative Innovation Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Co-Constructed by Gansu Province & MOE of PRC, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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8
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Pittman M, Bell PR, Miller CV, Enriquez NJ, Wang X, Zheng X, Tsang LR, Tse YT, Landes M, Kaye TG. Exceptional preservation and foot structure reveal ecological transitions and lifestyles of early theropod flyers. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7684. [PMID: 36539437 PMCID: PMC9768147 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35039-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphology of keratinised toe pads and foot scales, hinging of foot joints and claw shape and size all inform the grasping ability, cursoriality and feeding mode of living birds. Presented here is morphological evidence from the fossil feet of early theropod flyers. Foot soft tissues and joint articulations are qualitatively assessed using laser-stimulated fluorescence. Pedal claw shape and size are quantitatively analysed using traditional morphometrics. We interpret these foot data among existing evidence to better understand the evolutionary ecology of early theropod flyers. Jurassic flyers like Anchiornis and Archaeopteryx show adaptations suggestive of relatively ground-dwelling lifestyles. Early Cretaceous flyers then diversify into more aerial lifestyles, including generalists like Confuciusornis and specialists like the climbing Fortunguavis. Some early birds, like the Late Jurassic Berlin Archaeopteryx and Early Cretaceous Sapeornis, show complex ecologies seemingly unique among sampled modern birds. As a non-bird flyer, finding affinities of Microraptor to a more specialised raptorial lifestyle is unexpected. Its hawk-like characteristics are rare among known theropod flyers of the time suggesting that some non-bird flyers perform specialised roles filled by birds today. We demonstrate diverse ecological profiles among early theropod flyers, changing as flight developed, and some non-bird flyers have more complex ecological roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Pittman
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR China
| | - Phil R. Bell
- grid.1020.30000 0004 1936 7371School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351 Australia
| | - Case Vincent Miller
- grid.194645.b0000000121742757Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR China
| | - Nathan J. Enriquez
- grid.1020.30000 0004 1936 7371School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351 Australia
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- grid.410747.10000 0004 1763 3680Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Linyi University, Linyi City, Shandong 276005 China ,Shandong Tianyu Museum of Nature, Pingyi, Shandong 273300 China
| | - Xiaoting Zheng
- grid.410747.10000 0004 1763 3680Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Linyi University, Linyi City, Shandong 276005 China ,Shandong Tianyu Museum of Nature, Pingyi, Shandong 273300 China
| | - Leah R. Tsang
- grid.1020.30000 0004 1936 7371School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351 Australia ,grid.438303.f0000 0004 0470 8815Ornithology Collection, Australian Museum, William Street, Sydney, NSW 2010 Australia
| | - Yuen Ting Tse
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR China
| | - Michael Landes
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6 Canada
| | - Thomas G. Kaye
- Foundation for Scientific Advancement, Sierra Vista, AZ 85650 USA
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9
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Saleh NW, Henske J, Ramírez SR. Experimental disruption of social structure reveals totipotency in the orchid bee, Euglossa dilemma. Evolution 2022; 76:1529-1545. [PMID: 35589274 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Eusociality has evolved multiple times across the insect phylogeny. Social insects with greater levels of social complexity tend to exhibit specialized castes with low levels of individual phenotypic plasticity. In contrast, species with simple social groups may consist of totipotent individuals that transition among behavioral and reproductive states. However, recent work has shown that in simple social groups, there can still be constraint on individual plasticity, caused by differences in maternal nourishment or social interaction. It is not well understood how these constraints arise, ultimately leading to the evolution of nonreproductive workers. Some species of orchid bees form social groups of a dominant and-one to two subordinate helpers where all individuals are reproductive. Females can also disperse to start their own nest as a solitary foundress, which includes a nonreproductive phase characterized by ovary inactivation, not typically expressed by subordinates. Little is known about individual flexibility across these trajectories. Here, using the orchid bee Euglossa dilemma, we assess the plasticity of subordinate helpers, finding that they are capable of the same behavioral, physiological, transcriptomic, and chemical changes seen in foundresses. Our results suggest that the lack of nonreproductive workers in E. dilemma is not due to a lack of subordinate plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas W Saleh
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Davie, Florida, USA.,Center for Population Biology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Jonas Henske
- Department of Animal Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Santiago R Ramírez
- Center for Population Biology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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10
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Using weapons instead of perfume: chemical association strategies of the myrmecophilous bug Scolopostethus pacificus (Rhyparochromidae). CHEMOECOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00049-022-00374-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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11
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Miller CV, Pittman M, Wang X, Zheng X, Bright JA. Diet of Mesozoic toothed birds (Longipterygidae) inferred from quantitative analysis of extant avian diet proxies. BMC Biol 2022; 20:101. [PMID: 35550084 PMCID: PMC9097364 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01294-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Birds are key indicator species in extant ecosystems, and thus we would expect extinct birds to provide insights into the nature of ancient ecosystems. However, many aspects of extinct bird ecology, particularly their diet, remain obscure. One group of particular interest is the bizarre toothed and long-snouted longipterygid birds. Longipterygidae is the most well-understood family of enantiornithine birds, the dominant birds of the Cretaceous period. However, as with most Mesozoic birds, their diet remains entirely speculative. Results To improve our understanding of longipterygids, we investigated four proxies in extant birds to determine diagnostic traits for birds with a given diet: body mass, claw morphometrics, jaw mechanical advantage, and jaw strength via finite element analysis. Body mass of birds tended to correspond to the size of their main food source, with both carnivores and herbivores splitting into two subsets by mass: invertivores or vertivores for carnivores, and granivores + nectarivores or folivores + frugivores for herbivores. Using claw morphometrics, we successfully distinguished ground birds, non-raptorial perching birds, and raptorial birds from one another. We were unable to replicate past results isolating subtypes of raptorial behaviour. Mechanical advantage was able to distinguish herbivorous diets with particularly high values of functional indices, and so is useful for identifying these specific diets in fossil taxa, but overall did a poor job of reflecting diet. Finite element analysis effectively separated birds with hard and/or tough diets from those eating foods which are neither, though could not distinguish hard and tough diets from one another. We reconstructed each of these proxies in longipterygids as well, and after synthesising the four lines of evidence, we find all members of the family but Shengjingornis (whose diet remains inconclusive) most likely to be invertivores or generalist feeders, with raptorial behaviour likely in Longipteryx and Rapaxavis. Conclusions This study provides a 20% increase in quantitatively supported fossil bird diets, triples the number of diets reconstructed in enantiornithine species, and serves as an important first step in quantitatively investigating the origins of the trophic diversity of living birds. These findings are consistent with past hypotheses that Mesozoic birds occupied low trophic levels. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01294-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Case Vincent Miller
- Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Michael Pittman
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China. .,Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Linyi University, Linyi City, Shandong, 276005, China.,Shandong Tianyu Museum of Nature, Pingyi, Shandong, 273300, China
| | - Xiaoting Zheng
- Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Linyi University, Linyi City, Shandong, 276005, China.,Shandong Tianyu Museum of Nature, Pingyi, Shandong, 273300, China
| | - Jen A Bright
- Department of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK
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12
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Parmentier T, Gaju-Ricart M, Wenseleers T, Molero-Baltanás R. Chemical and behavioural strategies along the spectrum of host specificity in ant-associated silverfish. BMC ZOOL 2022; 7:23. [PMID: 37170164 PMCID: PMC10127367 DOI: 10.1186/s40850-022-00118-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Host range is a fundamental trait to understand the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of symbionts. Increasing host specificity is expected to be accompanied with specialization in different symbiont traits. We tested this specificity-specialization association in a large group of 16 ant-associated silverfish species by linking their level of host specificity to their degree of behavioural integration into the colony and to their accuracy of chemically imitating the host’s recognition system, i.e. the cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profile.
Results
As expected, facultative associates and host generalists (targeting multiple unrelated ants) tend to avoid the host, whereas host-specialists (typically restricted to Messor ants) were bolder, approached the host and allowed inspection. Generalists and host specialists regularly followed a host worker, unlike the other silverfish. Host aggression was extremely high toward non-ant-associated silverfish and modest to low in ant-associated groups. Surprisingly, the degree of chemical deception was not linked to host specificity as most silverfish, including facultative ant associates, imitated the host’s CHC profile. Messor specialists retained the same CHC profile as the host after moulting, in contrast to a host generalist, suggesting an active production of the cues (chemical mimicry). Host generalist and facultative associates flexibly copied the highly different CHC profiles of alternative host species, pointing at passive acquisition (chemical camouflage) of the host’s odour.
Conclusions
Overall, we found that behaviour that seems to facilitate the integration in the host colony was more pronounced in host specialist silverfish. Chemical deception, however, was employed by all ant-associated species, irrespective of their degree of host specificity.
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Evolutionary assembly of cooperating cell types in an animal chemical defense system. Cell 2021; 184:6138-6156.e28. [PMID: 34890552 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
How the functions of multicellular organs emerge from the underlying evolution of cell types is poorly understood. We deconstructed evolution of an organ novelty: a rove beetle gland that secretes a defensive cocktail. We show how gland function arose via assembly of two cell types that manufacture distinct compounds. One cell type, comprising a chemical reservoir within the abdomen, produces alkane and ester compounds. We demonstrate that this cell type is a hybrid of cuticle cells and ancient pheromone and adipocyte-like cells, executing its function via a mosaic of enzymes from each parental cell type. The second cell type synthesizes benzoquinones using a chimera of conserved cellular energy and cuticle formation pathways. We show that evolution of each cell type was shaped by coevolution between the two cell types, yielding a potent secretion that confers adaptive value. Our findings illustrate how cooperation between cell types arises, generating new, organ-level behaviors.
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14
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Ramos YJ, da Costa-Oliveira C, Candido-Fonseca I, de Queiroz GA, Guimarães EF, Defaveri ACAE, Sadgrove NJ, Moreira DDL. Advanced Chemophenetic Analysis of Essential Oil from Leaves of Piper gaudichaudianum Kunth (Piperaceae) Using a New Reduction-Oxidation Index to Explore Seasonal and Circadian Rhythms. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10102116. [PMID: 34685925 PMCID: PMC8540104 DOI: 10.3390/plants10102116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aromatic species Piper gaudichaudianum Kunth (Piperaceae) is widely used in Brazil for medicinal and ritualistic applications. In the current study, chemophenetic patterns were realized across season and circadian rhythm based on the chemical profile of essential oils (EOs) from leaves. Hydrodistilled essential oils were analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID, and a new calculation of metabolite oxidation level, averaged for each individual molecule component of the EO, was used to explore the patterns of metabolism/biosynthesis. This new index used an intermediate calculation, the 'weighted average redox standard' (SRO), to enable a value for mixtures of metabolites to be generated, the 'general mixture redox index' (GMOR). The indices were subjected to a proof-of-concept approach by making comparison to outcomes from multivariate analyses, i.e., PCA and HCA. Chemical analysis demonstrated that the essential oils were dominated by sesquiterpenes, constructed of 15 classes of compound (C-skeletons), and 4 C-skeletons were recognized in the monoterpene group, giving a total of 19. The variation of chemical profiles was distinct at different phenological stages, but stronger chemical variation was evident between day and night as compared to season. Furthermore, due to comprehensive sampling across different regions, nine chemotypes were recognized, including those previously reported. The SRO and GMRO indices demonstrate that phenological variation of chemistry is mainly an outcome of redox fluctuations in terpene biosynthesis, changing from day to night. These indices also corroborate that chemical diversity is increased with oxidative metabolism. Lastly, the current study demonstrates pronounced phenotypic plasticity in P. gaudichaudianum, which makes it a suitable candidate to help further our understanding of chemophenetics and chemical ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ygor Jessé Ramos
- Instituto de Biologia, Pós-Graduação em Biologia Vegetal, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil;
- Diretoria de Pesquisa do Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro 22460-030, Brazil;
- Centro de Responsabilidade Socioambiental do Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro 22460-030, Brazil; (G.A.d.Q.); (A.C.A.e.D.)
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Farmanguinhos, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Brazil; (C.d.C.-O.); (I.C.-F.)
| | - Claudete da Costa-Oliveira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Farmanguinhos, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Brazil; (C.d.C.-O.); (I.C.-F.)
| | - Irene Candido-Fonseca
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Farmanguinhos, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Brazil; (C.d.C.-O.); (I.C.-F.)
| | - George Azevedo de Queiroz
- Centro de Responsabilidade Socioambiental do Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro 22460-030, Brazil; (G.A.d.Q.); (A.C.A.e.D.)
| | - Elsie Franklin Guimarães
- Diretoria de Pesquisa do Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro 22460-030, Brazil;
| | - Anna C. Antunes e Defaveri
- Centro de Responsabilidade Socioambiental do Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro 22460-030, Brazil; (G.A.d.Q.); (A.C.A.e.D.)
| | | | - Davyson de Lima Moreira
- Instituto de Biologia, Pós-Graduação em Biologia Vegetal, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil;
- Diretoria de Pesquisa do Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro 22460-030, Brazil;
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Farmanguinhos, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Brazil; (C.d.C.-O.); (I.C.-F.)
- Correspondence:
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von Beeren C, Brückner A, Hoenle PO, Ospina-Jara B, Kronauer DJC, Blüthgen N. Multiple phenotypic traits as triggers of host attacks towards ant symbionts: body size, morphological gestalt, and chemical mimicry accuracy. Front Zool 2021; 18:46. [PMID: 34538256 PMCID: PMC8451089 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-021-00427-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ant colonies are plagued by a diversity of arthropod guests, which adopt various strategies to avoid or to withstand host attacks. Chemical mimicry of host recognition cues is, for example, a common integration strategy of ant guests. The morphological gestalt and body size of ant guests have long been argued to also affect host hostility, but quantitative studies testing these predictions are largely missing. We here evaluated three guest traits as triggers of host aggression—body size, morphological gestalt, and accuracy in chemical mimicry—in a community of six Eciton army ant species and 29 guest species. We quantified ant aggression towards 314 guests in behavioral assays and, for the same individuals, determined their body size and their accuracy in mimicking ant cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles. We classified guests into the following gestalts: protective, myrmecoid, staphylinid-like, phorid-like, and larval-shaped. We expected that (1) guests with lower CHC mimicry accuracy are more frequently attacked; (2) larger guests are more frequently attacked; (3) guests of different morphological gestalt receive differing host aggression levels. Results Army ant species had distinct CHC profiles and accuracy of mimicking these profiles was variable among guests, with many species showing high mimicry accuracy. Unexpectedly, we did not find a clear relationship between chemical host similarity and host aggression, suggesting that other symbiont traits need to be considered. We detected a relationship between the guests’ body size and the received host aggression, in that diminutive forms were rarely attacked. Our data also indicated that morphological gestalt might be a valuable predictor of host aggression. While most ant-guest encounters remained peaceful, host behavior still differed towards guests in that ant aggression was primarily directed towards those guests possessing a protective or a staphylinid-like gestalt. Conclusion We demonstrate that CHC mimicry accuracy does not necessarily predict host aggression towards ant symbionts. Exploitation mechanisms are diverse, and we conclude that, besides chemical mimicry, other factors such as the guests’ morphological gestalt and especially their body size might be important, yet underrated traits shaping the level of host hostility against social insect symbionts. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12983-021-00427-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph von Beeren
- Ecological Networks, Department of Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Adrian Brückner
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA
| | - Philipp O Hoenle
- Ecological Networks, Department of Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Daniel J C Kronauer
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York City, USA
| | - Nico Blüthgen
- Ecological Networks, Department of Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
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16
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Kühn J, Henning V, Ruess L. Improving the application of quantitative fatty acid signature analysis in soil food webs: The effects of diet fat content. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:11065-11076. [PMID: 34429903 PMCID: PMC8366837 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA) as a biochemical tool to study the diet composition of predators is frequently used in marine ecology to infer trophic links in vertebrate consumers. However, the potential and challenges of this method in other ecosystems have only recently been studied. The application in soil ecosystems leads to hurdles not encountered in the marine, such as the low similarity of fatty acid signatures between resource and consumer. So far, diet estimation attempts have been semisuccessful, necessitating to adapt QFASA for use in soil food webs. Dietary fat content may play an important role, as it influences consumer metabolism, and thus calibration coefficients for fatty acid trophic transfer. A series of feeding trials with baker's yeast spiked with five different pure fatty acids at various concentrations was conducted with Collembola, and the changes in calibration coefficients were observed. From there, equations were gained through regression analysis and new sets of calibration coefficients were calculated. QFASA was applied on a range of basal resources and the results compared with previously defined calibration coefficients. Calibration coefficients changed with the proportion of fatty acids in the diet and differed between the three Collembolan species. The re-estimation of diets showed an improvement of model performance by the new calibration coefficients and indicated several modes of fatty acid assimilation. These greatly influence the outcome of diet estimation, for example, algal and bacterial diets are likely underestimated due to high metabolic turnover rates. The application of QFASA in soil ecosystems remains challenging. The variation in calibration coefficients and the resulting decrease in estimation deviation indicate the merit of calculating calibration coefficients from consumer signatures through linear or exponential equations. Ideally, the method should, when extended to the entire fatty acid signature, allow correct determination of consumer diets in soil food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Kühn
- Institute of BiologyEcology GroupHumboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Vanessa Henning
- Institute of BiologyEcology GroupHumboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Liliane Ruess
- Institute of BiologyEcology GroupHumboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
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17
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de Souza TJT, Bordignon SAL, Apel MA, Henriques AT. Volatile constituents of Eupatorieae (Asteraceae). Compositional multivariate analysis of volatile oils from Southern Brazilian species in the subtribe Disynaphiinae. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2021; 186:112734. [PMID: 33756237 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2021.112734] [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: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Volatile oils (VOs) obtained from the aerial parts of species from the Disynaphiinae subtribe (genera Acanthostyles, Campovassouria, Disynaphia, Grazielia, Raulinoreitzia, and Symphyopappus) of Eupatorieae (Asteraceae) collected in Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, were characterized using GC-MS. The yield of VOs relative to fresh material ranged from 0.2 to 1.7% between the Disynaphiinae subtribe samples (Acanthostyles buniifolius, Campovassouria cruciata, Disynaphia ericoides, D. ligulifolia, D. spathulata, Symphyopappus casarettoi, S. reticulatus, S. itatiayensis, Grazielia gaudichaudieana, G. intermedia, G. nummularia, G. serrata, Raulinoreitzia crenulata, and R. tremula). The VOs in this subtribe were mainly composed of terpene compounds. Compositional multivariate analysis demonstrated clustering between the samples of Grazielia and Raulinoreitzia on one side, which contain relatively higher proportions of monoterpenes, and Disynaphia and Campovassouria, which contain more oxygenated sesquiterpenes. The samples of Symphyopappus and Acanthostyles, which contain more sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, were located between these two main groups. Multivariate analysis accounting for the recent proposals of subtribal recircumscription of Eupatorieae was also performed. The odd chemistry of S. itatiayensis was in accordance with the recent attempts to exclude it from the genus Symphyopappus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago J T de Souza
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Ipiranga, 2752, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Sérgio A L Bordignon
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Avaliação de Impactos Ambientais, Centro Universitário La Salle, Canoas, Brazil
| | - Miriam A Apel
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Ipiranga, 2752, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Amelia T Henriques
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Ipiranga, 2752, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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18
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Kingwell C, Böröczky K, Steitz I, Ayasse M, Wcislo W. Cuticular and Dufour's Gland Chemistry Reflect Reproductive and Social State in the Facultatively Eusocial Sweat Bee Megalopta genalis (Hymenoptera: Halictidae). J Chem Ecol 2021; 47:420-432. [PMID: 33682070 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-021-01262-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Queen pheromones evolved independently in multiple eusocial insect lineages, in which they mediate reproductive conflict by inhibiting worker ovarian development. Although fundamentally important for reproductive division of labor - the hallmark of eusociality - their evolutionary origins are enigmatic. Here, we analyze cuticular and Dufour's gland chemistries across alternative social and reproductive phenotypes in Megalopta genalis bees (tribe Augochlorini, family Halictidae) that facultatively express simple eusociality. Reproductive bees have distinct overall glandular and cuticular chemical phenotypes compared with non-reproductive workers. On the cuticle, a likely site of signal transmission, reproductives are enriched for certain alkenes, most linear alkanes, and are heavily enriched for all methyl-branched alkanes. Chemicals belonging to these compound classes are known to function as fertility signals in other eusocial insect taxa. Some macrocyclic lactones, compounds that serve as queen pheromones in the other eusocial halictid tribe (Halictini), are also enriched among reproductives relative to workers. The intra-population facultative eusociality of M. genalis permits direct comparisons between individuals expressing alternative reproductive phenotypes - females that reproduce alone (solitary reproductives) and social queens - to highlight traits in the latter that may be important mediators of eusociality. Compared with solitary reproductives, the cuticular chemistries of queens are more strongly differentiated from those of workers, and furthermore are especially enriched for methyl-branched alkanes. Determining the pheromonal function(s) and information content of the candidate signaling compounds we identify will help illuminate the early evolutionary history of queen pheromones, chemical signals central to the organization of insect eusocial behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callum Kingwell
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama.
| | - Katalin Böröczky
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Iris Steitz
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Manfred Ayasse
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - William Wcislo
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama
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Shikov AE, Malovichko YV, Lobov AA, Belousova ME, Nizhnikov AA, Antonets KS. The Distribution of Several Genomic Virulence Determinants Does Not Corroborate the Established Serotyping Classification of Bacillus thuringiensis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2244. [PMID: 33668147 PMCID: PMC7956386 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis, commonly referred to as Bt, is an object of the lasting interest of microbiologists due to its highly effective insecticidal properties, which make Bt a prominent source of biologicals. To categorize the exuberance of Bt strains discovered, serotyping assays are utilized in which flagellin serves as a primary seroreactive molecule. Despite its convenience, this approach is not indicative of Bt strains' phenotypes, neither it reflects actual phylogenetic relationships within the species. In this respect, comparative genomic and proteomic techniques appear more informative, but their use in Bt strain classification remains limited. In the present work, we used a bottom-up proteomic approach based on fluorescent two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) coupled with liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS) protein identification to assess which stage of Bt culture, vegetative or spore, would be more informative for strain characterization. To this end, the proteomic differences for the israelensis-attributed strains were assessed to compare sporulating cultures of the virulent derivative to the avirulent one as well as to the vegetative stage virulent bacteria. Using the same approach, virulent spores of the israelensis strain were also compared to the spores of strains belonging to two other major Bt serovars, namely darmstadiensis and thuringiensis. The identified proteins were analyzed regarding the presence of the respective genes in the 104 Bt genome assemblies available at open access with serovar attributions specified. Of 21 proteins identified, 15 were found to be encoded in all the present assemblies at 67% identity threshold, including several virulence factors. Notable, individual phylogenies of these core genes conferred neither the serotyping nor the flagellin-based phylogeny but corroborated the reconstruction based on phylogenomics approaches in terms of tree topology similarity. In its turn, the distribution of accessory protein genes was not confined to the existing serovars. The obtained results indicate that neither gene presence nor the core gene sequence may serve as distinctive bases for the serovar attribution, undermining the notion that the serotyping system reflects strains' phenotypic or genetic similarity. We also provide a set of loci, which fit in with the phylogenomics data plausibly and thus may serve for draft phylogeny estimation of the novel strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton E. Shikov
- Laboratory for Proteomics of Supra-Organismal Systems, All-Russia Research Institute for Agricultural Microbiology (ARRIAM), 196608 St. Petersburg, Russia; (A.E.S.); (Y.V.M.); (M.E.B.); (A.A.N.)
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University (SPbSU), 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Yury V. Malovichko
- Laboratory for Proteomics of Supra-Organismal Systems, All-Russia Research Institute for Agricultural Microbiology (ARRIAM), 196608 St. Petersburg, Russia; (A.E.S.); (Y.V.M.); (M.E.B.); (A.A.N.)
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University (SPbSU), 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Arseniy A. Lobov
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University (SPbSU), 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia;
- Laboratory of Regenerative Biomedicine, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Science, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Maria E. Belousova
- Laboratory for Proteomics of Supra-Organismal Systems, All-Russia Research Institute for Agricultural Microbiology (ARRIAM), 196608 St. Petersburg, Russia; (A.E.S.); (Y.V.M.); (M.E.B.); (A.A.N.)
| | - Anton A. Nizhnikov
- Laboratory for Proteomics of Supra-Organismal Systems, All-Russia Research Institute for Agricultural Microbiology (ARRIAM), 196608 St. Petersburg, Russia; (A.E.S.); (Y.V.M.); (M.E.B.); (A.A.N.)
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University (SPbSU), 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Kirill S. Antonets
- Laboratory for Proteomics of Supra-Organismal Systems, All-Russia Research Institute for Agricultural Microbiology (ARRIAM), 196608 St. Petersburg, Russia; (A.E.S.); (Y.V.M.); (M.E.B.); (A.A.N.)
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University (SPbSU), 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia;
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Terry MI, Ruiz-Hernández V, Águila DJ, Weiss J, Egea-Cortines M. The Effect of Post-harvest Conditions in Narcissus sp. Cut Flowers Scent Profile. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 11:540821. [PMID: 33488635 PMCID: PMC7817618 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.540821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Narcissus flowers are used as cut flowers and to obtain high quality essential oils for the perfume industry. As a winter crop in the Mediterranean area, it flowers at temperatures ranging between 10 and 15°C during the day and 3-10°C during the night. Here we tested the impact of different light and temperature conditions on scent quality during post-harvest. These two types of thermoperiod and photoperiod. We also used constant darkness and constant temperatures. We found that under conditions of 12:12 Light Dark and 15-5°C, Narcissus emitted monoterpenes and phenylpropanoids. Increasing the temperature to 20°-10°C in a 12:12 LD cycle caused the loss of cinnamyl acetate and emission of indole. Under constant dark, there was a loss of scent complexity. Constant temperatures of 20°C caused a decrease of scent complexity that was more dramatic at 5°C, when the total number of compounds emitted decreased from thirteen to six. Distance analysis confirmed that 20°C constant temperature causes the most divergent scent profile. We found a set of four volatiles, benzyl acetate, eucalyptol, linalool, and ocimene that display a robust production under differing environmental conditions, while others were consistently dependent on light or thermoperiod. Scent emission changed significantly during the day and between different light and temperature treatments. Under a light:dark cycle and 15-5°C the maximum was detected during the light phase but this peak shifted toward night under 20-10°C. Moreover, under constant darkness the peak occurred at midnight and under constant temperature, at the end of night. Using Machine Learning we found that indole was the volatile with a highest ranking of discrimination followed by D-limonene. Our results indicate that light and temperature regimes play a critical role in scent quality. The richest scent profile is obtained by keeping flowers at 15°-5°C thermoperiod and a 12:12 Light Dark photoperiod.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta I. Terry
- Genética Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología Vegetal, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Cartagena, Spain
| | | | - Diego J. Águila
- Las Cabezuelas Sociedad Cooperativa, Alhama de Murcia, Spain
| | - Julia Weiss
- Genética Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología Vegetal, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Cartagena, Spain
| | - Marcos Egea-Cortines
- Genética Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología Vegetal, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Cartagena, Spain
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21
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Temperature Affects Chemical Defense in a Mite-Beetle Predator-Prey System. J Chem Ecol 2020; 46:947-955. [PMID: 32875537 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-020-01212-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Temperature influences all biochemical and biophysiological processes within an organism. By extension, it also affects those ecological interactions that are mediated by gland-produced chemical compounds, such as reservoir-based chemical defense. Herein, we investigate how environmental temperature affects the regeneration of defensive secretions and influences the efficacy of chemical defense in a model predator-prey system: the oribatid mite Archegozetes longisetosus and the predaceous rove beetle Stenus juno. Through a combination of chemical analyses, non-linear regression modeling and theoretical simulations we show that the amount of defensive secretion responded to temperature in a unimodal optimum curve: the regeneration rate followed a positive, linear relationship up to 35 °C, but rapidly broke down beyond this temperature ("tipping point" effect). Using functional response simulations, there is an initially positive dampening effect on the predation rate when regeneration is optimal, but at higher temperatures chemical defense does not counteract the previously described effects of elevated predatory pressure. In a larger context, our results demonstrate the need to integrate relevant environmental factors in predator-prey modeling approaches.
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Canova L, Gazzola A, Pollini L, Balestrieri A. Surveillance and habitat diversity affect European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) density in protected breeding areas. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-020-01405-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) is an important game species throughout Europe. In Italy, for preventing the introduction of allochthonous strains, the management of brown hare populations has focused on the establishment of small protected areas (ZRCs), appositely managed for disposing of wild-born hares for restocking hunting territories. We investigated the effects of both land cover and surveillance on hare density and habitat preferences in 20 ZRCs, monitored twice per year (pre- and post-breeding periods) between 1997 and 2017. Density, as assessed by spotlight counts, ranged between 2.8 and 47.0 ind/km2 in spring and 5.0 and 68.4 ind/km2 in autumn. Surveillance, percent length of protected boundaries, year of institution and habitat diversity, as assessed by Shannon’s Index, were the main factors affecting hare density. During their foraging activity, hares selected ryegrass, hayfields and lucerne, while avoided maize stubble and ploughed fields and were never recorded in poplar plantations or next to human settlements. While the effects of habitat heterogeneity on hare density have been widely studied, we suggest that the involvement of local stakeholders may be of paramount importance for ensuring effective conservation measures.
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Kang KB, Woo S, Ernst M, van der Hooft JJJ, Nothias LF, da Silva RR, Dorrestein PC, Sung SH, Lee M. Assessing specialized metabolite diversity of Alnus species by a digitized LC-MS/MS data analysis workflow. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2020; 173:112292. [PMID: 32062198 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2020.112292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Alnus spp. (Betulaceae) have been used for treatments of hemorrhage, burn injuries, antipyretic fever, diarrhea, and alcoholism in traditional medicines. In this study, a digitized LC-MS/MS data analysis workflow was applied to provide an overview on chemical diversity of 15 Alnus extracts prepared from bark, twigs, leaves, and fruits of A. japonica, A. firma, A. hirsuta, and A. hirsuta var. sibirica. Most of the MS/MS spectra could be putatively annotated based on library matching, in silico fragmentation, and substructural topic modeling. The putative annotation allowed us to discriminate the extracts into three chemotypes based on dominant chemical scaffolds: diarylheptanoids, flavonoids or tannins. This high-throughput chemical annotation was correlated with α-glucosidase inhibition data of extracts, and it allowed us to identify gallic acid as the major active compound of A. firma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyo Bin Kang
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Sunmin Woo
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Madeleine Ernst
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Newborn Screening, Department of Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Justin J J van der Hooft
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Bioinformatics Group, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Louis-Félix Nothias
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ricardo R da Silva
- NPPNS, Physic and Chemistry Department, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Pieter C Dorrestein
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sang Hyun Sung
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mina Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Republic of Korea.
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24
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Gazzola A, Balestrieri A. Nutritional ecology provides insights into competitive interactions between closely related
Martes
species. Mamm Rev 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gazzola
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Pavia Via Ferrata 927100Pavia Italy
| | - Alessandro Balestrieri
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Pavia Via Ferrata 927100Pavia Italy
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25
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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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26
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Hartke J, Sprenger PP, Sahm J, Winterberg H, Orivel J, Baur H, Beuerle T, Schmitt T, Feldmeyer B, Menzel F. Cuticular hydrocarbons as potential mediators of cryptic species divergence in a mutualistic ant association. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:9160-9176. [PMID: 31463013 PMCID: PMC6706187 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Upon advances in sequencing techniques, more and more morphologically identical organisms are identified as cryptic species. Often, mutualistic interactions are proposed as drivers of diversification. Species of the neotropical parabiotic ant association between Crematogaster levior and Camponotus femoratus are known for highly diverse cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles, which in insects serve as desiccation barrier but also as communication cues. In the present study, we investigated the association of the ants' CHC profiles with genotypes and morphological traits, and discovered cryptic species pairs in both genera. To assess putative niche differentiation between the cryptic species, we conducted an environmental association study that included various climate variables, canopy cover, and mutualistic plant species. Although mostly sympatric, the two Camponotus species seem to prefer different climate niches. However in the two Crematogaster species, we could not detect any differences in niche preference. The strong differentiation in the CHC profiles may thus suggest a possible role during speciation itself either by inducing assortative mating or by reinforcing sexual selection after the speciation event. We did not detect any further niche differences in the environmental parameters tested. Thus, it remains open how the cryptic species avoid competitive exclusion, with scope for further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Hartke
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research CentreFrankfurt am MainGermany
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular EvolutionJohannes‐Gutenberg‐University MainzMainzGermany
| | - Philipp P. Sprenger
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular EvolutionJohannes‐Gutenberg‐University MainzMainzGermany
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical BiologyUniversity of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Jacqueline Sahm
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular EvolutionJohannes‐Gutenberg‐University MainzMainzGermany
- Present address:
Department of Evolutionary Animal EcologyUniversity of BayreuthBayreuthGermany
| | - Helena Winterberg
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research CentreFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS, UMR EcoFoG (AgroParisTech, CIRAD, INRA, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane)Kourou CedexFrance
| | - Hannes Baur
- Department of InvertebratesNatural History Museum BernBernSwitzerland
- Institute of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Till Beuerle
- Institute of Pharmaceutical BiologyUniversity of Technology BraunschweigBraunschweigGermany
| | - Thomas Schmitt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical BiologyUniversity of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Barbara Feldmeyer
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research CentreFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Florian Menzel
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular EvolutionJohannes‐Gutenberg‐University MainzMainzGermany
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27
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Li T, Holst T, Michelsen A, Rinnan R. Amplification of plant volatile defence against insect herbivory in a warming Arctic tundra. NATURE PLANTS 2019; 5:568-574. [PMID: 31182843 PMCID: PMC6561779 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-019-0439-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Plant-emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play fundamental roles in atmospheric chemistry and ecological processes by contributing to aerosol formation1 and mediating species interactions2. Rising temperatures and the associated shifts in vegetation composition have been shown to be the primary drivers of plant VOC emissions in Arctic ecosystems3. Although herbivorous insects also strongly alter plant VOC emissions2, no studies have addressed the impact of herbivory on plant VOC emissions in the Arctic. Here we show that warming dramatically increases the amount, and alters the blend, of VOCs released in response to herbivory. We observed that a tundra ecosystem subjected to warming, by open-top chambers, for 8 or 18 years showed a fourfold increase in leaf area eaten by insect herbivores. Herbivory by autumnal moth (Epirrita autumnata) larvae, and herbivory-mimicking methyl jasmonate application, on the widespread circumpolar dwarf birch (Betula nana) both substantially increased emissions of terpenoids. The long-term warming treatments and mimicked herbivory caused, on average, a two- and fourfold increase in monoterpene emissions, respectively. When combined, emissions increased 11-fold, revealing a strong synergy between warming and herbivory. The synergistic effect was even more pronounced for homoterpene emissions. These findings suggest that, in the rapidly warming Arctic, insect herbivory may be a primary determinant of VOC emissions during periods of active herbivore feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Li
- Terrestrial Ecology Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Center for Permafrost, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Thomas Holst
- Terrestrial Ecology Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Physical Geography & Ecosystem Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders Michelsen
- Terrestrial Ecology Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Permafrost, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Riikka Rinnan
- Terrestrial Ecology Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Permafrost, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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28
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Leclaire S, Chatelain M, Pessato A, Buatois B, Frantz A, Gasparini J. Pigeon odor varies with experimental exposure to trace metal pollution. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2019; 28:76-85. [PMID: 30506322 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-018-2001-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Trace metals are chemical pollutants that have well-known noxious effects on wildlife and that are current major environmental issues in urban habitats. Previous studies have demonstrated their negative (e.g. lead) or positive (e.g. zinc) effects on body condition, immunity and reproductive success. Because of their effects on condition, trace metals are likely to influence the production of condition-dependent ornaments. The last decade has revealed that bird odors, like mammal odors, can convey information on individual quality and might be used as secondary sexual ornaments. Here, we used solid-phase microextraction headspace sampling with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to investigate whether plumage scent varied with experimental supplementation in lead and/or zinc in feral pigeons. Zinc supplementation (alone or in combination with lead) changed the proportion of several volatiles, including an increase in the proportion of hydroxy-esters. The production of these esters, that most likely originate from preen gland secretions, may be costly and might thus be reduced by stress induced by zinc deficiency. Although lead is known to negatively impact pigeon condition, it did not statistically affect feather scent, despite most of the volatiles that increased with zinc exposure tended to be decreased in lead-supplemented pigeons. Further studies should evaluate the functions of plumage volatiles to predict how trace metals can impact bird fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Leclaire
- Laboratoire Evolution & Diversité Biologique, UMR 5174 (CNRS, Université Paul Sabatier, ENFA), 118 route de Narbonne, Toulouse, 31062, France.
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE), UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, 1919 route de Mende, Montpellier, 34293, France.
- Sorbonne Université, UPEC, Paris 7, CNRS, INRA, IRD, Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris, 75005, Paris, France.
| | - Marion Chatelain
- Sorbonne Université, UPEC, Paris 7, CNRS, INRA, IRD, Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris, 75005, Paris, France
- Wild Urban Evolution and Ecology Lab, Center of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2C, Warsaw, 02-097, Poland
| | - Anaïs Pessato
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE), UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, 1919 route de Mende, Montpellier, 34293, France
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, Victoria, 3217, Australia
| | - Bruno Buatois
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE), UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, 1919 route de Mende, Montpellier, 34293, France
| | - Adrien Frantz
- Sorbonne Université, UPEC, Paris 7, CNRS, INRA, IRD, Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Julien Gasparini
- Sorbonne Université, UPEC, Paris 7, CNRS, INRA, IRD, Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris, 75005, Paris, France
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29
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Collection, Identification, and Statistical Analysis of Volatile Organic Compound Patterns Emitted by Phytoplasma Infected Plants. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1875:333-343. [PMID: 30362015 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8837-2_25] [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] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In this chapter, we give an introduction to innovative attempts for the collection, identification, and statistical analysis of volatile organic compound (VOC) patterns emitted by phytoplasma-infected plants compared to healthy plants by the use of state-of-the-art techniques. This encompasses headspace-sampling techniques, gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, and identification of VOC patterns by the "Automated Mass Spectral Deconvolution and Identification System" (AMDIS) followed by appropriate statistical analysis.
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30
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Rosumek FB, Blüthgen N, Brückner A, Menzel F, Gebauer G, Heethoff M. Unveiling community patterns and trophic niches of tropical and temperate ants using an integrative framework of field data, stable isotopes and fatty acids. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5467. [PMID: 30155364 PMCID: PMC6109374 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The use and partitioning of trophic resources is a central aspect of community function. On the ground of tropical forests, dozens of ant species may be found together and ecological mechanisms should act to allow such coexistence. One hypothesis states that niche specialization is higher in the tropics, compared to temperate regions. However, trophic niches of most species are virtually unknown. Several techniques might be combined to study trophic niche, such as field observations, fatty acid analysis (FAA) and stable isotope analysis (SIA). In this work, we combine these three techniques to unveil partitioning of trophic resources in a tropical and a temperate community. We describe patterns of resource use, compare them between communities, and test correlation and complementarity of methods to unveil both community patterns and species' niches. Methods Resource use was assessed with seven kinds of bait representing natural resources available to ants. Neutral lipid fatty acid (NLFA) profiles, and δ15N and δ13C isotope signatures of the species were also obtained. Community patterns and comparisons were analyzed with clustering, correlations, multivariate analyses and interaction networks. Results Resource use structure was similar in both communities. Niche breadths (H') and network metrics (Q and H2') indicated similar levels of generalization between communities. A few species presented more specialized niches, such as Wasmannia auropunctata and Lasius fuliginosus. Stable isotope signatures and NLFA profiles also indicated high generalization, although the latter differed between communities, with temperate species having higher amounts of fat and proportions of C18:1n9. Bait use and NLFA profile similarities were correlated, as well as species' specialization indices (d') for the two methods. Similarities in δ15N and bait use, and in δ13C and NLFA profiles, were also correlated. Discussion Our results agree with the recent view that specialization levels do not change with latitude or species richness. Partition of trophic resources alone does not explain species coexistence in these communities, and might act together with behavioral and environmental mechanisms. Temperate species presented NLFA patterns distinct from tropical ones, which may be related to environmental factors. All methods corresponded in their characterization of species' niches to some extent, and were robust enough to detect differences even in highly generalized communities. However, their combination provides a more comprehensive picture of resource use, and it is particularly important to understand individual niches of species. FAA was applied here for the first time in ant ecology, and proved to be a valuable tool due to its combination of specificity and temporal representativeness. We propose that a framework combining field observations with chemical analysis is valuable to understand resource use in ant communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix B Rosumek
- Ecological Networks, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany.,Department of Ecology and Zoology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Nico Blüthgen
- Ecological Networks, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Adrian Brückner
- Ecological Networks, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany.,Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Florian Menzel
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes-Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Michael Heethoff
- Ecological Networks, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
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31
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Loope KJ, Millar JG, Wilson Rankin EE. Weak nestmate discrimination behavior in native and invasive populations of a yellowjacket wasp (Vespula pensylvanica). Biol Invasions 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-018-1783-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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32
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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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33
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Multivariate Analysis of Multiple Datasets: a Practical Guide for Chemical Ecology. J Chem Ecol 2018; 44:215-234. [PMID: 29479643 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-018-0932-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Chemical ecology has strong links with metabolomics, the large-scale study of all metabolites detectable in a biological sample. Consequently, chemical ecologists are often challenged by the statistical analyses of such large datasets. This holds especially true when the purpose is to integrate multiple datasets to obtain a holistic view and a better understanding of a biological system under study. The present article provides a comprehensive resource to analyze such complex datasets using multivariate methods. It starts from the necessary pre-treatment of data including data transformations and distance calculations, to the application of both gold standard and novel multivariate methods for the integration of different omics data. We illustrate the process of analysis along with detailed results interpretations for six issues representative of the different types of biological questions encountered by chemical ecologists. We provide the necessary knowledge and tools with reproducible R codes and chemical-ecological datasets to practice and teach multivariate methods.
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34
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Characterization of lipid structures in femoral secretions of Galápagos marine iguanas by shotgun lipidomics. CHEMOECOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00049-018-0251-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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35
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Junker RR. A biosynthetically informed distance measure to compare secondary metabolite profiles. CHEMOECOLOGY 2017; 28:29-37. [PMID: 29540963 PMCID: PMC5840250 DOI: 10.1007/s00049-017-0250-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Secondary metabolite profiles are one of the most diverse phenotypes of organisms and can consist of a large number of compounds originating from a limited number of biosynthetic pathways. The statistical treatment of such profiles often is complicated due to their diversity as well as the intra- and interspecific variability in the quantitative and qualitative composition of secondary metabolites. Most importantly, the assumption of independence of the presence/absence and the quantity of compounds is violated due to the shared biosynthetic origin of many compounds. Therefore, I propose a biosynthetically informed pairwise distance measure that fully considers the biosynthesis of the compounds and thus quantifies the similarity in the enzymatic equipment of two samples. The biosynthetic similarity of compounds is calculated based on the proportion of shared enzymes that are required for their biosynthesis. Using this information (provided as dendrogram structure) and the quantitative composition of the samples, generalized UniFrac distances are calculated measuring that fraction of the dendrogram (i.e., the branch lengths) that is unique to either of the samples but not shared by both samples. To allow a straightforward cross-platform application of the approach, I provide functions for the statistical software R and sample data sets. A hypothetical and a real world example show the feasibility of the biosynthetically informed distances dA,B and highlight the differences to conventional distance measures. The advantages of this approach and potential fields of application are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert R. Junker
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
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36
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Nutrient quality of vertebrate dung as a diet for dung beetles. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12141. [PMID: 28939910 PMCID: PMC5610319 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12265-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
At the basis of a trophic web, coprophagous animals like dung beetles (Scarabaeoidea) utilize resources that may have advantages (easy gain and handling) as well as drawbacks (formerly processed food). Several studies have characterized the nutrients, e.g. C/N ratios and organic matter content, for specific types of dung. However, a comparative approach across dung types and feeding guilds of dung producers, and relationships between dung nutrients and preferences by coprophages, have been missing. Hence, we analyzed water content, C/N ratio, amino acid, neutral lipid fatty acid, free fatty acid and sterol composition and concentrations in dung from 23 vertebrates, including carnivore, omnivore and herbivore species. Our analyses revealed significant differences among the three vertebrate feeding guilds for most nutritional parameters. Although formerly processed, dung grants sufficient amounts of essential nutrients for insects. We tested whether nutrients can explain the dung beetles’ preferences in a field experiment, using 12 representative dung types in baits that were installed in 27 forests and 27 grasslands. Although consistent preferences for specific dung types were pronounced, the nutritional composition did not predict the variation in attractiveness of these dung diets, suggesting a primary role of dung volatiles irrespective of food quality.
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37
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Rosumek FB, Brückner A, Blüthgen N, Menzel F, Heethoff M. Patterns and dynamics of neutral lipid fatty acids in ants - implications for ecological studies. Front Zool 2017; 14:36. [PMID: 28717381 PMCID: PMC5508481 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-017-0221-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trophic interactions are a fundamental aspect of ecosystem functioning, but often difficult to observe directly. Several indirect techniques, such as fatty acid analysis, were developed to assess these interactions. Fatty acid profiles may indicate dietary differences, while individual fatty acids can be used as biomarkers. Ants are among the most important terrestrial animal groups, but little is known about their lipid metabolism, and no study so far used fatty acids to study their trophic ecology. We set up a feeding experiment with high- and low-fat food to elucidate patterns and dynamics of neutral lipid fatty acids (NLFAs) assimilation in ants. We asked whether dietary fatty acids are assimilated through direct trophic transfer, how diet influences NLFA total amounts and patterns over time, and whether these assimilation processes are similar across species and life stages. RESULTS Ants fed with high-fat food quickly accumulated specific dietary fatty acids (C18:2n6, C18:3n3 and C18:3n6), compared to ants fed with low-fat food. Dietary fat content did not affect total body fat of workers or amounts of fatty acids extensively biosynthesized by animals (C16:0, C18:0, C18:1n9). Larval development had a strong effect on the composition and amounts of C16:0, C18:0 and C18:1n9. NLFA compositions reflected dietary differences, which became more pronounced over time. Assimilation of specific dietary NLFAs was similar regardless of species or life stage, but these factors affected dynamics of other NLFAs, composition and total fat. CONCLUSIONS We showed that ants accumulated certain dietary fatty acids via direct trophic transfer. Fat content of the diet had no effect on lipids stored by ants, which were able to synthesize high amounts of NLFAs from a sugar-based diet. Nevertheless, dietary NLFAs had a strong effect on metabolic dynamics and profiles. Fatty acids are a useful tool to study trophic biology of ants, and could be applied in an ecological context, although factors that affect NLFA patterns should be taken into account. Further studies should address which NLFAs can be used as biomarkers in natural ant communities, and how factors other than diet affect fatty acid dynamics and composition of species with distinct life histories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Félix B. Rosumek
- Ecological Networks, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 3, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
- Department of Ecology and Zoology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Trindade, Florianópolis, 88040-900 Brazil
| | - Adrian Brückner
- Ecological Networks, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 3, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Nico Blüthgen
- Ecological Networks, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 3, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Florian Menzel
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Johannes-von-Müller-Weg 6, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael Heethoff
- Ecological Networks, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 3, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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