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Goldberg JK, Godfrey RK, Barrett M. A long-read draft assembly of the Chinese mantis (Mantodea: Mantidae: Tenodera sinensis) genome reveals patterns of ion channel gain and loss across Arthropoda. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2024; 14:jkae062. [PMID: 38517310 PMCID: PMC11152070 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkae062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Praying mantids (Mantodea: Mantidae) are iconic insects that have captivated biologists for decades, especially the species with cannibalistic copulatory behavior. This behavior has been cited as evidence that insects lack nociceptive capacities and cannot feel pain; however, this behaviorally driven hypothesis has never been rigorously tested at the genetic or functional level. To enable future studies of nociceptive capabilities in mantids, we sequenced and assembled a draft genome of the Chinese praying mantis (Tenodera sinensis) and identified multiple classes of nociceptive ion channels by comparison to orthologous gene families in Arthropoda. Our assembly-produced using PacBio HiFi reads-is fragmented (total size = 3.03 Gb; N50 = 1.8 Mb; 4,966 contigs), but is highly complete with respect to gene content (BUSCO complete = 98.7% [odb10_insecta]). The size of our assembly is substantially larger than that of most other insects, but is consistent with the size of other mantid genomes. We found that most families of nociceptive ion channels are present in the T. sinensis genome; that they are most closely related to those found in the damp-wood termite (Zootermopsis nevadensis); and that some families have expanded in T. sinensis while others have contracted relative to nearby lineages. Our findings suggest that mantids are likely to possess nociceptive capabilities and provide a foundation for future experimentation regarding ion channel functions and their consequences for insect behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay K Goldberg
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, 1041 E Lowell St, Tucson, AZ 85741, USA
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney Ln, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7UH, UK
| | - R Keating Godfrey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Meghan Barrett
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 420 University Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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2
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Ben Mocha Y, Frisoni F, Keynan O, Griesser M. Proto-tool use for food processing in wild Arabian babblers: matching processing methods, substrates and prey types. Anim Cogn 2024; 27:35. [PMID: 38656554 PMCID: PMC11043207 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-024-01866-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Cognition is a powerful adaptation, enabling animals to utilise resources that are unavailable without manipulation. Tool use and food processing are examples of using cognition to overcome the protective mechanisms of food resources. Here, we describe and examine the flexibility of proto-tool use (defined as the alteration of an object through object-substrate manipulation) for food processing in a cooperatively breeding bird, the Arabian babbler (Argya squamiceps). Field observations demonstrate that the birds transport different caterpillar species to different substrate types depending on the processing method needed to prepare the caterpillar for eating. Species with toxic setae (e.g. Casama innotata) are transported to be rubbed on rough substrates (e.g. sand) before consumption, while other species (e.g. Hyles livornica) are transported to be pounded against hard substrates until their inner organs are removed and only their external body part is consumed. These results are among the few to describe flexible proto-tool use for food processing in wild animals. They thereby contribute to the taxonomic mapping of proto-tool use and food processing in non-human species, which is a fundamental step to advance comparative studies on the evolution of these behaviours and their underlying cognitive mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitzchak Ben Mocha
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.
- Center for the Advanced Study of Collective Behavior, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Francesca Frisoni
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Oded Keynan
- Dead Sea and Arava Science Center, Hazeva, Israel
- Ben Gurion University of the Negev-Eilat Campus, Eilat, Israel
| | - Michael Griesser
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
- Center for the Advanced Study of Collective Behavior, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Collective Behaviour, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
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Petzel-Witta S, Wunder C, Pogoda W, Toennes SW, Mebs D. Missed chances? Sequestration and non-sequestration of alkaloids by moths (Lepidoptera). Toxicon 2023; 227:107098. [PMID: 36990229 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Some butterflies and moths sequester and retain noxious phytochemicals for defence against predators. In the present study, three moth species, the garden tiger moth, Arctia caja, the death hawk moth, Acherontia atropos, and the oleander hawk moth, Daphnis nerii, were tested whether they sequester alkaloids from their host plants. Whereas A. caja consistently sequestered atropine from Atropa belladonna, also when atropine sulfate was added to the alkaloid-free diet of the larvae, A. atropos and D. nerii were found to be unable to sequester alkaloids, neither atropine nor eburnamenine from Vinca major, respectively. Instead of acquiring toxicity as chemical defence, nocturnal lifestyle and cryptic attitudes may improve their chances of survival.
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4
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Segovia JMG, Pekár S. Aversive reactions of two invertebrate predators to European red–black insects. Ethology 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stano Pekár
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic
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5
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Mohammadi S, Yang L, Bulbert M, Rowland HM. Defence mitigation by predators of chemically defended prey integrated over the predation sequence and across biological levels with a focus on cardiotonic steroids. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220363. [PMID: 36133149 PMCID: PMC9449480 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Predator-prey interactions have long served as models for the investigation of adaptation and fitness in natural environments. Anti-predator defences such as mimicry and camouflage provide some of the best examples of evolution. Predators, in turn, have evolved sensory systems, cognitive abilities and physiological resistance to prey defences. In contrast to prey defences which have been reviewed extensively, the evolution of predator counter-strategies has received less attention. To gain a comprehensive view of how prey defences can influence the evolution of predator counter-strategies, it is essential to investigate how and when selection can operate. In this review we evaluate how predators overcome prey defences during (i) encounter, (ii) detection, (iii) identification, (iv) approach, (v) subjugation, and (vi) consumption. We focus on prey that are protected by cardiotonic steroids (CTS)-defensive compounds that are found in a wide range of taxa, and that have a specific physiological target. In this system, coevolution is well characterized between specialist insect herbivores and their host plants but evidence for coevolution between CTS-defended prey and their predators has received less attention. Using the predation sequence framework, we organize 574 studies reporting predators overcoming CTS defences, integrate these counter-strategies across biological levels of organization, and discuss the costs and benefits of attacking CTS-defended prey. We show that distinct lineages of predators have evolved dissecting behaviour, changes in perception of risk and of taste perception, and target-site insensitivity. We draw attention to biochemical, hormonal and microbiological strategies that have yet to be investigated as predator counter-adaptations to CTS defences. We show that the predation sequence framework will be useful for organizing future studies of chemically mediated systems and coevolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Mohammadi
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
- Institut für Zell- und Systembiologie der Tiere, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Lu Yang
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Matthew Bulbert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Oxford Brookes, Oxford, UK
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
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6
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Mohammadi S, Yang L, Bulbert M, Rowland HM. Defence mitigation by predators of chemically defended prey integrated over the predation sequence and across biological levels with a focus on cardiotonic steroids. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220363. [PMID: 36133149 DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6168216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Predator-prey interactions have long served as models for the investigation of adaptation and fitness in natural environments. Anti-predator defences such as mimicry and camouflage provide some of the best examples of evolution. Predators, in turn, have evolved sensory systems, cognitive abilities and physiological resistance to prey defences. In contrast to prey defences which have been reviewed extensively, the evolution of predator counter-strategies has received less attention. To gain a comprehensive view of how prey defences can influence the evolution of predator counter-strategies, it is essential to investigate how and when selection can operate. In this review we evaluate how predators overcome prey defences during (i) encounter, (ii) detection, (iii) identification, (iv) approach, (v) subjugation, and (vi) consumption. We focus on prey that are protected by cardiotonic steroids (CTS)-defensive compounds that are found in a wide range of taxa, and that have a specific physiological target. In this system, coevolution is well characterized between specialist insect herbivores and their host plants but evidence for coevolution between CTS-defended prey and their predators has received less attention. Using the predation sequence framework, we organize 574 studies reporting predators overcoming CTS defences, integrate these counter-strategies across biological levels of organization, and discuss the costs and benefits of attacking CTS-defended prey. We show that distinct lineages of predators have evolved dissecting behaviour, changes in perception of risk and of taste perception, and target-site insensitivity. We draw attention to biochemical, hormonal and microbiological strategies that have yet to be investigated as predator counter-adaptations to CTS defences. We show that the predation sequence framework will be useful for organizing future studies of chemically mediated systems and coevolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Mohammadi
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
- Institut für Zell- und Systembiologie der Tiere, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Lu Yang
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Matthew Bulbert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Oxford Brookes, Oxford, UK
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
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Singh P, Grone N, Tewes LJ, Müller C. Chemical defense acquired via pharmacophagy can lead to protection from predation for conspecifics in a sawfly. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220176. [PMID: 35858054 PMCID: PMC9257289 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical defense is a widespread anti-predator strategy exhibited by organisms, with individuals either synthesizing or extrinsically acquiring defensive chemicals. In some species, such defences can also be transferred among conspecifics. Here, we tested the effects of pharmacophagy on the defense capability of the turnip sawfly, Athalia rosae, which can acquire neo-clerodane diterpenoids (clerodanoids) via pharmacophagy when having access to the plant Ajuga reptans. We show that clerodanoid access mediates protection against predation by mantids for the sawflies, both in a no-choice feeding assay and a microcosm setup. Even indirect access to clerodanoids, via nibbling on conspecifics that had access to the plant, resulted in protection against predation albeit to a lower degree than direct access. Furthermore, sawflies that had no direct access to clerodanoids were consumed less frequently by mantids when they were grouped with conspecifics that had direct access. Most, but not all, of such initially undefended sawflies could acquire clerodanoids from conspecifics that had direct access to the plant, although in low quantities. Together our results demonstrate that clerodanoids serve as a chemical defense that can also be transferred by interactions among conspecifics. Moreover, the presence of chemically defended individuals in a group can confer protection onto conspecifics that had no direct access to clerodanoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pragya Singh
- Chemical Ecology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Neil Grone
- Chemical Ecology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Lisa Johanna Tewes
- Chemical Ecology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Caroline Müller
- Chemical Ecology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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8
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Abstract
Some animals have evolved chemical weapons to deter predators. Bombardier beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Brachininae: Brachinini) can eject toxic chemicals at temperatures of 100 °C from the tips of their abdomens, ‘bombing’ the attackers. Although some bombardier beetles can reportedly deter predators, few studies have tested whether bombing is essential for successful defence. Praying mantises (Mantodea) are ambush predators that attack various arthropods. However, it is unclear whether bombardier beetles deter mantises. To test the defensive function of bombing against praying mantises, I observed three mantis species, Tenodera sinensis, Tenodera angustipennis, and Hierodula patellifera (Mantidae), attacking the bombardier beetle Pheropsophus jessoensis (Carabidae: Brachininae: Brachinini) under laboratory conditions. All mantises easily caught the beetles using their raptorial forelegs, but released them immediately after being bombed. All of the counterattacked mantises were observed to groom the body parts sprayed with hot chemicals after releasing the beetles. When treated P. jessoensis that were unable to eject hot chemicals were provided, all mantises successfully caught and devoured the treated beetles. Therefore, bombing is essential for the successful defence of P. jessoensis against praying mantises. Consequently, P. jessoensis can always deter mantises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Sugiura
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
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Erb M, Züst T, Robert CAM. Using plant chemistry to improve interactions between plants, herbivores and their natural enemies: challenges and opportunities. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 70:262-265. [PMID: 34242994 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2021.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Plant secondary (or specialized) metabolites determine multitrophic interaction dynamics. Herbivore natural enemies exploit plant volatiles for host location and are negatively affected by plant defense chemicals that are transferred through herbivores. Recent work shows that herbivore natural enemies can evolve resistance to plant defense chemicals, and that generating plant defense resistance through forward evolution enhances their capacity to prey on herbivores. Here, we discuss how this knowledge can be used to engineer better biocontrol agents. We argue that herbivore natural enemies which are adapted to plant chemistry will likely enhance the efficacy of future pest control efforts. Detailed phenotyping and field experiments will be necessary to quantify costs and benefits of optimizing chemical links between plants and higher trophic levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Erb
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, 3013 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Tobias Züst
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zürich, University of Zürich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008 Zürich, Switzerland
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10
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Mebs D, Wunder C, Toennes SW. Coping with noxious effects of quinine by praying mantids (Mantodea) and spiders (Araneae). Toxicon 2019; 162:57-60. [PMID: 30904569 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Because of its bitter taste, quinine elicits strong antifeedant and toxic effects in animals including arthropods. In the present study, two mantis, Sphodromantis viridis, Hierodula membranacea, and two spider species, Nephila edulis, Selenocosmia javanensis, were offered a quinine solution or prey (crickets) contaminated or injected with quinine, which they ingested and survived without apparent toxic symptoms. Analysis of their faeces and, in the case of spiders, of silk from their web revealed that quinine was excreted over a period of 8-12 (mantids) or 7 days (spiders). Interestingly, the silk glands of the spiders served as an additional excretory organ of quinine. Both, mantids and spiders were shown to tolerate high amounts of quinine in their prey. Obviously, the bitter taste of this compound is not perceived by their gustatory receptors and consequently triggers no aversive reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dietrich Mebs
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, D-60956, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Cora Wunder
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, D-60956, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan W Toennes
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, D-60956, Frankfurt, Germany
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Tinker KA, Ottesen EA. The hindgut microbiota of praying mantids is highly variable and includes both prey-associated and host-specific microbes. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0208917. [PMID: 30533025 PMCID: PMC6289422 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Praying mantids are predators that consume a wide variety of insects. While the gut microbiome of carnivorous mammals is distinct from that of omnivores and herbivores, the role of the gut microbiome among predatory insects is relatively understudied. Praying mantids are the closest known relatives to termites and cockroaches, which are known for their diverse gut microbiota. However, little is known about the mantid gut microbiota or their importance to host health. In this work, we report the results of a 16S rRNA gene-based study of gut microbiome composition in adults and late-instar larvae of three mantid species. We found that the praying mantis gut microbiome exhibits substantial variation in bacterial diversity and community composition. The hindgut of praying mantids were often dominated by microbes that are present in low abundance or not found in the guts of their insect prey. Future studies will explore the role of these microbes in the digestion of the dietary substrates and/or the degradation of toxins produced by their insect prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara A. Tinker
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth A. Ottesen
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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