1
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Turza F, Miler K. Small workers are more persistent when providing and requiring help in a monomorphic ant. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21580. [PMID: 38062073 PMCID: PMC10703799 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49012-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The common sand-dwelling Formica cinerea ants possess monomorphic workers, yet with considerable and easily identified size variation. Considering the importance of body size in polymorphic ants and other animals, we test whether size-dependent differences in behaviour occur in this species. We focus on the behaviour of large and small foragers in the context of rescue occurring between nestmates when one of them is entrapped and requires help. We show that workers of different sizes are characterized by a similar frequency of rescue activity and time delay to the first act of rescue. However, small workers rescue for longer than large workers. These results indicate that, although there is no size-related rescue specialization in F. cinerea foragers, small rescuers behave differently than large ones in terms of rescue persistence. Additionally, we show that small workers are more active when trapped. We suggest that variation in behavioural persistence of differently-sized workers may increase the efficiency of rescue actions. This study is the first to find a connection between body size and rescue behaviour in ants and the first to quantify and analyze the behaviour of individuals in need of rescue. These findings add substantially to our understanding of social insects and, more generally, highlight the need to study among-individual behavioural variation in social animals, including those in which body size is judged minute and irrelevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Turza
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Prof. S. Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348, Kraków, Poland.
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Krzysztof Miler
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sławkowska 17, 31-016, Kraków, Poland.
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Abstract
Eusociality represents an extreme form of social behavior characterized by a reproductive division of labor. Eusociality necessarily evolved through kin selection, which requires interactions among related individuals. However, many eusocial taxa also show cooperation between non-kin groups, challenging the idea that cooperative actions should only occur among relatives. This review explores the causes and consequences of non-kin cooperation in ants. Ants display a diversity of behaviors that lead to non-kin cooperation within and between species. These interactions occur among both reproductive and non-reproductive individuals. The proximate and ultimate mechanisms leading to non-kin cooperative interactions differ substantially depending on the biotic and abiotic environment. We end this review with directions for future research and suggest that the investigation of non-kin cooperative actions provides insight into processes leading to social evolution.
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Psalti MN, Gohlke D, Libbrecht R. Experimental increase of worker diversity benefits brood production in ants. BMC Ecol Evol 2021; 21:163. [PMID: 34461829 PMCID: PMC8404329 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01890-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The reproductive division of labor of eusocial insects, whereby one or several queens monopolize reproduction, evolved in a context of high genetic relatedness. However, many extant eusocial species have developed strategies that decrease genetic relatedness in their colonies, suggesting some benefits of the increased diversity. Multiple studies support this hypothesis by showing positive correlations between genetic diversity and colony fitness, as well as finding effects of experimental manipulations of diversity on colony performance. However, alternative explanations could account for most of these reports, and the benefits of diversity on performance in eusocial insects still await validation. In this study, we experimentally increased worker diversity in small colonies of the ant Lasius niger while controlling for typical confounding factors. RESULTS We found that experimental colonies composed of workers coming from three different source colonies produced more larvae and showed more variation in size compared to groups of workers coming from a single colony. CONCLUSIONS We propose that the benefits of increased diversity stemmed from an improved division of labor. Our study confirms that worker diversity enhances colony performance, thus providing a possible explanation for the evolution of multiply mated queens and multiple-queen colonies in many species of eusocial insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina N. Psalti
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Dustin Gohlke
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Romain Libbrecht
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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4
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Lecocq de Pletincx N, Dellicour S, Aron S. The evolution of ant worker polymorphism correlates with multiple social traits. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03049-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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5
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Task partitioning in ants lacking discrete morphological worker subcastes. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-020-02845-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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6
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Cordonnier M, Escarguel G, Dumet A, Kaufmann B. Multiple mating in the context of interspecific hybridization between two Tetramorium ant species. Heredity (Edinb) 2020; 124:675-684. [PMID: 32205865 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-020-0310-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In eusocial Hymenoptera, haplodiploidy and polyandry may facilitate selection for hybridization. Interspecific hybridization is widespread in ants and can lead to hybrid inviability as well as the formation of new species through hybrid speciation. However, in ants, polyandry is uncommon. By analyzing microsatellite markers on 15 ant workers per colony, we show that the mating system of 28 pure colonies of Tetramorium immigrans, 15 pure colonies of Tetramorium caespitum, and 27 hybrid colonies is a monogyne/polyandrous mating system, with a higher mating rate in T. caespitum (mean = 2.4 males vs. 1.7 in T. immigrans). Hybrid queens, but no hybrid fathers, were deduced from workers' genotypes, in accordance with Haldane's rule extended to haplodiploid organisms, which states that the haploid sex should more often be sterile or inviable. In five colonies, hybridization and multiple mating allowed the simultaneous production of both hybrid and nonhybrid offspring. Although rare, these situations hinted at asymmetrical, larger contributions of T. immigrans vs. T. caespitum males to offspring production. Together, these findings point toward a complex and dynamic mating system in T. immigrans and T. caespitum, and contribute to better understand interspecific hybridization mechanisms and their consequences on genetic and taxonomic diversity. The study of polyandry within a hybrid zone is unprecedented and opens new opportunities to better understand interspecific hybridization mechanisms and their short- to long-term consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Cordonnier
- Univ. Lyon, UMR5023 Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés, ENTPE, CNRS, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, F-69622, Lyon, France.
| | - Gilles Escarguel
- Univ. Lyon, UMR5023 Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés, ENTPE, CNRS, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, F-69622, Lyon, France
| | - Adeline Dumet
- Univ. Lyon, UMR5023 Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés, ENTPE, CNRS, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, F-69622, Lyon, France
| | - Bernard Kaufmann
- Univ. Lyon, UMR5023 Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés, ENTPE, CNRS, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, F-69622, Lyon, France
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7
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Andras JP, Hollis KL, Carter KA, Couldwell G, Nowbahari E. Analysis of ants' rescue behavior reveals heritable specialization for first responders. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb212530. [PMID: 32029458 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.212530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In colonies of Cataglyphis cursor ants, a single queen mates with multiple males, creating the foundation for heritable behavioral specializations. A novel and unique candidate for such specializations is rescue behavior, a precisely delivered form of altruism in which workers attempt to release trapped nestmates and which relies on short-term memory of previous actions to increase its efficiency. Consistent with task specialization, not all individuals participate; instead, some individuals move away from the victim, which gives rescuers unrestricted access. Using a bioassay to identify rescuers and non-rescuers, coupled with paternity assignment via polymorphic microsatellite markers, we not only show that rescue behavior is heritable, with 34% of the variation explained by paternity, but also establish that rescue, heretofore overlooked in analyses of division of labor, is a true specialization, an ant version of first responders. Moreover, this specialization emerges as early as 5 days of age, and the frequency of rescuers remains constant across ants' age ranges. The extremely broad range of these ants' heritable polyethism provides further support for the critical role of polyandry in increasing the efficiency of colony structure and, in turn, reproductive success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason P Andras
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mount Holyoke College, 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA 01075-1462, USA
| | - Karen L Hollis
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience & Behavior, Mount Holyoke College, 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA 01075-1462, USA
| | - Kristyn A Carter
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience & Behavior, Mount Holyoke College, 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA 01075-1462, USA
| | - Genevieve Couldwell
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience & Behavior, Mount Holyoke College, 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA 01075-1462, USA
| | - Elise Nowbahari
- Laboratoire d'Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée EA 4443, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, 93430 Villetaneuse, France
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Centorame M, Angelino D, Bonanni R, Fanfani A. Static and evolutionary allometry in the Italian endemic ant species Cataglyphis italica (Emery 1906). ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2019.1639080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Centorame
- Department of Biology and Biotecnology ‘Charles Darwin’, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Viale dell’Università 32, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Davide Angelino
- Department of Biology and Biotecnology ‘Charles Darwin’, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Viale dell’Università 32, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Roberto Bonanni
- Independent researcher, Via Giuseppe Donati 32, Rome 00159, Italy
| | - Alberto Fanfani
- Department of Biology and Biotecnology ‘Charles Darwin’, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Viale dell’Università 32, Rome 00185, Italy
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9
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Saar M, Eyer PA, Kilon-Kallner T, Hefetz A, Scharf I. Within-colony genetic diversity differentially affects foraging, nest maintenance, and aggression in two species of harvester ants. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13868. [PMID: 30217995 PMCID: PMC6138738 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32064-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence that genetic diversity improves the behavioral performance and consequently the fitness in groups of social animals. We examined the behavioral performance of colonies of two co-occurring, congeneric harvester ant species (Messor arenarius and a non-described Messor sp.) in fitness-related behaviors, pertaining to foraging performance, nest maintenance, and aggression. We linked these behaviors to the colonial genetic diversity, by genotyping workers, using six and five microsatellite markers for M. arenarius and M. sp., respectively. Correlations of genetic diversity with colony performance and aggression level contrasted between the two species. In M. arenarius, genetic diversity was correlated with foraging performance and nest maintenance but not with the overall aggression level, while in M. sp., genetic diversity was correlated with the overall aggression level, but not with foraging performance or nest maintenance. The two species exhibited similar specific aggression levels, with higher aggression shown towards heterospecifics and lower towards non-nestmate conspecifics and nestmates. However, M. sp. workers displayed a tendency to interact for longer with heterospecifics than did M. arenarius. We speculate that the different foraging strategies, group vs. individual foraging, and possibly also the different mating systems, contribute to the differences found in behavior between the two species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Saar
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Pierre-André Eyer
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Tal Kilon-Kallner
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Abraham Hefetz
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Inon Scharf
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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10
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Wills BD, Powell S, Rivera MD, Suarez AV. Correlates and Consequences of Worker Polymorphism in Ants. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 63:575-598. [PMID: 29068707 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-020117-043357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Body size is a key life-history trait influencing all aspects of an organism's biology. Ants provide an interesting model for examining body-size variation because of the high degree of worker polymorphism seen in many taxa. We review worker-size variation in ants from the perspective of factors internal and external to the colony that may influence body-size distributions. We also discuss proximate and ultimate causes of size variation and how variation in worker size can promote worker efficiency and colony fitness. Our review focuses on two questions: What is our current understanding of factors influencing worker-size variation? And how does variation in body size benefit the colony? We conclude with recommendations for future work aimed at addressing current limitations and ask, How can we better understand the contribution of worker body-size variation to colony success? And, what research is needed to address gaps in our knowledge?
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Affiliation(s)
- Bill D Wills
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA;
| | - Scott Powell
- Department of Biological Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA;
| | - Michael D Rivera
- Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA;
| | - Andrew V Suarez
- Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA;
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA;
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
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11
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Cronin AL, Monnin T, Sillam-Dussès D, Aubrun F, Fédérici P, Doums C. Qualitative bias in offspring investment in a superorganism is linked to dispersal and nest inheritance. Anim Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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12
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Mersch DP. The social mirror for division of labor: what network topology and dynamics can teach us about organization of work in insect societies. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-016-2104-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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13
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Ferguson-Gow H, Sumner S, Bourke AFG, Jones KE. Colony size predicts division of labour in attine ants. Proc Biol Sci 2014; 281:20141411. [PMID: 25165765 PMCID: PMC4173680 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.1411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Division of labour is central to the ecological success of eusocial insects, yet the evolutionary factors driving increases in complexity in division of labour are little known. The size-complexity hypothesis proposes that, as larger colonies evolve, both non-reproductive and reproductive division of labour become more complex as workers and queens act to maximize inclusive fitness. Using a statistically robust phylogenetic comparative analysis of social and environmental traits of species within the ant tribe Attini, we show that colony size is positively related to both non-reproductive (worker size variation) and reproductive (queen-worker dimorphism) division of labour. The results also suggested that colony size acts on non-reproductive and reproductive division of labour in different ways. Environmental factors, including measures of variation in temperature and precipitation, had no significant effects on any division of labour measure or colony size. Overall, these results support the size-complexity hypothesis for the evolution of social complexity and division of labour in eusocial insects. Determining the evolutionary drivers of colony size may help contribute to our understanding of the evolution of social complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Ferguson-Gow
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ, UK Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Seirian Sumner
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Andrew F G Bourke
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Kate E Jones
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Gower St., London WC1E 6BT, UK
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14
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Fertile diploid males in the ant Cataglyphis cursor: a potential cost of thelytoky? Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-013-1606-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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15
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Haatanen MK, Sorvari J. Similarity of body size in queens of the wood ant Formica aquilonia from optimal and sub-optimal habitats indicates a strong heritable component. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2013; 13:115. [PMID: 24735372 PMCID: PMC4011369 DOI: 10.1673/031.013.11501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2012] [Accepted: 10/10/2012] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Body size in animals is affected by both genes and the environment (e.g., the amount of food resources). In ants, body size is related to several traits in an individual's physiology and life history. For example, a large queen may increase offspring production, thus increasing her overall fitness. In this study, whether sub-optimal environmental conditions affect the body size of queens of the red wood ant, Formica aquilonia Yarrow (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The sizes (head width in mm) of virgin queens, i.e., gynes, originating from forest interiors (resource rich) and from commercial forest clear-cuts (resource poor) were measured. No differences in the body size of the queens from the two habitats were found. In addition, the within-nest variation in queen size was similar between habitat types. The results indicate that the body size variation of F. aquilonia queens is not sensitive to environmental variation, unlike F. aquilonia workers. The lack of environmental variation in queen size in F. aquilonia may be due to a strong selection in the past to monomorphic size in this obligately polygynous (multi-queened) species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jouni Sorvari
- Department of Biology, Section of Ecology, FI-20014 University of Turku, Finland
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
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16
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Eyer PA, Freyer J, Aron S. Genetic polyethism in the polyandrous desert ant Cataglyphis cursor. Behav Ecol 2012. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ars146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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17
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Libbrecht R, Keller L. Genetic compatibility affects division of labor in the Argentine ant Linepithema humile. Evolution 2012; 67:517-24. [PMID: 23356622 DOI: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.2012.01792.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Division of labor is central to the organization of insect societies. Within-colony comparisons between subfamilies of workers (patrilines or matrilines) revealed genetic effects on division of labor in many social insect species. Although this has been taken as evidence for additive genetic effects on division of labor, it has never been experimentally tested. To determine the relative roles of additive and nonadditive genetic effects (e.g., genetic compatibility, epistasis, and parent-of-origin imprinting effects) on worker behavior, we performed controlled crosses using the Argentine ant Linepithema humile. Three of the measured behaviors (the efficiency to collect pupae, the foraging propensity, and the distance between non-brood-tenders and brood) were affected by the maternal genetic background and the two others (the efficiency to feed larvae and the distance between brood-tenders and brood) by the paternal genetic background. Moreover, there were significant interactions between the maternal and paternal genetic backgrounds for three of the five behaviors. These results are most consistent with parent-of-origin and genetic compatibility effects on division of labor. The finding of nonadditive genetic effects is in strong contrast with the current view and has important consequences for our understanding of division of labor in insect societies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Libbrecht
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore Building, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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18
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Purcell J, Chapuisat M. The influence of social structure on brood survival and development in a socially polymorphic ant: insights from a cross-fostering experiment. J Evol Biol 2012; 25:2288-97. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2012.02607.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2012] [Revised: 06/25/2012] [Accepted: 07/30/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Purcell
- Department of Ecology and Evolution; Bâtiment Biophore; Quartier UNIL-Sorge; University of Lausanne; Lausanne; Switzerland
| | - M. Chapuisat
- Department of Ecology and Evolution; Bâtiment Biophore; Quartier UNIL-Sorge; University of Lausanne; Lausanne; Switzerland
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19
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Fournier D, Tindo M, Kenne M, Mbenoun Masse PS, Van Bossche V, De Coninck E, Aron S. Genetic structure, nestmate recognition and behaviour of two cryptic species of the invasive big-headed ant Pheidole megacephala. PLoS One 2012; 7:e31480. [PMID: 22371822 PMCID: PMC3284284 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2011] [Accepted: 01/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Biological invasions are recognized as a major cause of biodiversity decline and have considerable impact on the economy and human health. The African big-headed ant Pheidole megacephala is considered one of the world's most harmful invasive species. Methodology/Principal Findings To better understand its ecological and demographic features, we combined behavioural (aggression tests), chemical (quantitative and qualitative analyses of cuticular lipids) and genetic (mitochondrial divergence and polymorphism of DNA microsatellite markers) data obtained for eight populations in Cameroon. Molecular data revealed two cryptic species of P. megacephala, one inhabiting urban areas and the other rainforests. Urban populations belong to the same phylogenetic group than those introduced in Australia and in other parts of the world. Behavioural analyses show that the eight populations sampled make up four mutually aggressive supercolonies. The maximum distance between nests from the same supercolony was 49 km and the closest distance between two nests belonging to two different supercolonies was 46 m. The genetic data and chemical analyses confirmed the behavioural tests as all of the nests were correctly assigned to their supercolony. Genetic diversity appears significantly greater in Africa than in introduced populations in Australia; by contrast, urban and Australian populations are characterized by a higher chemical diversity than rainforest ones. Conclusions/Significance Overall, our study shows that populations of P. megacephala in Cameroon adopt a unicolonial social structure, like invasive populations in Australia. However, the size of the supercolonies appears several orders of magnitude smaller in Africa. This implies competition between African supercolonies and explains why they persist over evolutionary time scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Fournier
- Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
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20
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Duarte A, Weissing FJ, Pen I, Keller L. An Evolutionary Perspective on Self-Organized Division of Labor in Social Insects. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS 2011. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-102710-145017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Duarte
- Department of Theoretical Biology, Center for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, Groningen, 9747 AG The Netherlands; , ,
| | - Franz J. Weissing
- Department of Theoretical Biology, Center for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, Groningen, 9747 AG The Netherlands; , ,
| | - Ido Pen
- Department of Theoretical Biology, Center for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, Groningen, 9747 AG The Netherlands; , ,
| | - Laurent Keller
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, CH-1015 Switzerland;
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21
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Purcell J, Brütsch T, Chapuisat M. Effects of the social environment on the survival and fungal resistance of ant brood. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-011-1293-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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22
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Bauer S, Böhm M, Witte V, Foitzik S. An ant social parasite in-between two chemical disparate host species. Evol Ecol 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-009-9308-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Influence of queen phenotype, investment and maternity apportionment on the outcome of fights in cooperative foundations of the ant Lasius niger. Anim Behav 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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