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Anderson RM, Hennessy AB, Kowalski K, Kessler A, Bagchi R, Singer MS. Phloem-feeding insects create parasitoid-free space for caterpillars. Curr Biol 2024:S0960-9822(24)00858-3. [PMID: 39053468 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.06.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Seemingly small ecological changes can have large, ramifying effects that defy expectations. Such are keystone effects in ecosystems. Phloem-feeding insect herbivores can act as keystone species by altering community structure and species interactions via plant-mediated or ant-mediated mechanisms. Plant responses triggered by phloem feeders can disrupt tri-trophic interactions induced by leaf-chewing herbivores, while ants that tend phloem feeders can deter or prey on other arthropods. Here, we investigate how phloem-feeding herbivores change caterpillar-parasitoid interactions on Quercus alba (white oak) trees in natural forests. We factorially manipulated the presence of phloem-feeding insects as well as ant access on Q. alba branches over multiple years and sites and measured parasitism rates of co-occurring caterpillars. While 19.3% of caterpillars were parasitized when phloem feeders were removed, the presence of phloem feeders completely suppressed parasitism of caterpillars (0%). This stark pattern was consistent across the diverse community of phloem feeders and caterpillars. Our manipulation of ant access had no effect on parasitism of caterpillars, implicating a plant-mediated mechanism. We further assessed the mechanistic hypothesis that phloem feeders suppress plant emission of caterpillar-induced volatile compounds, which could disrupt host-location behavior by parasitoids of caterpillars. Phloem feeders indeed reduced concentrations of four volatile compounds, consistent with the putative plant volatile-mediated mechanism. Given the important role of parasitoids in controlling herbivore populations, this keystone effect of phloem feeders offers novel insight into community dynamics in forests and potentially other terrestrial ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riley M Anderson
- Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
| | - Andrew B Hennessy
- Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
| | - Kiran Kowalski
- Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
| | - André Kessler
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Robert Bagchi
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Michael S Singer
- Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA.
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2
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Oliveira FMM, Demolin-Leite GL, Veloso RVS, Guanabens REM, Silva YOR, Amaral FL. Distribution pattern of arthropods and their ecological interactions on the leaf surfaces of Terminalia argentea saplings. BRAZ J BIOL 2024; 84:e281588. [PMID: 38896730 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.281588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Terminalia argentea tree, native to Brazil, is widely used in landscaping, recovering degraded areas, its wood, coal production, and the bark or leaf extracts has medicinal use. Despite of its importance, the arthropod fauna associated to this plant and its interspecific relationships still needs further studies. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the arthropods, their ecological indices and the distribution in the leaf faces on T. argentea saplings. The numbers of phytophagous insects (e.g., Cephalocoema sp.), pollinators (e.g., Tetragonisca angustula), and natural enemies (e.g., Oxyopidae), and their ecological indices (e.g., species richness), were higher on the adaxial leaf faces on T. argentea saplings. Aggregated distribution of phytophagous insects (e.g., Aphis spiraecola), pollinators (e.g., Trigona spinipes), and natural enemies (e.g., Camponotus sp.) on T. argentea saplings was observed. Abundance, diversity, and species richness of natural enemies correlated, positively, with those of phytophagous and pollinators insects. Predators and tending ants followed their prey and sucking insects, respectively. Tending ants protected sucking insects against predators, and reduced chewing insects. The high number of Cephalocoema sp. on T. argentea saplings is a problem, because this insect can feed on leaves of this plant, but its preference for the adaxial leaf face favors its control. The aggregation behavior of arthropods on T. argentea saplings favors the control of potential pests of this plant. There seems to be competition between tending ants for space and food resources on T. argentea saplings.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M M Oliveira
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias - ICA, Insetário G. W. G. Moraes, Montes Claros, MG, Brasil
| | - G L Demolin-Leite
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias - ICA, Insetário G. W. G. Moraes, Montes Claros, MG, Brasil
| | - R V S Veloso
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias - ICA, Insetário G. W. G. Moraes, Montes Claros, MG, Brasil
| | - R E M Guanabens
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias - ICA, Insetário G. W. G. Moraes, Montes Claros, MG, Brasil
| | - Y O R Silva
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias - ICA, Insetário G. W. G. Moraes, Montes Claros, MG, Brasil
| | - F L Amaral
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias - ICA, Insetário G. W. G. Moraes, Montes Claros, MG, Brasil
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Schreiber SJ, Hening A, Nguyen DH. Coevolution of Patch Selection in Stochastic Environments. Am Nat 2023; 202:122-139. [PMID: 37531280 DOI: 10.1086/725079] [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] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
AbstractSpecies interact in landscapes where environmental conditions vary in time and space. This variability impacts how species select habitat patches. Under equilibrium conditions, evolution of this patch selection can result in ideal free distributions where per capita growth rates are zero in occupied patches and negative in unoccupied patches. These ideal free distributions, however, do not explain why species occupy sink patches, why competitors have overlapping spatial ranges, or why predators avoid highly productive patches. To understand these patterns, we solve for coevolutionarily stable strategies (coESSs) of patch selection for multispecies stochastic Lotka-Volterra models accounting for spatial and temporal heterogeneity. In occupied patches at the coESS, we show that the differences between the local contributions to the mean and the variance of the long-term population growth rate are equalized. Applying this characterization to models of antagonistic interactions reveals that environmental stochasticity can partially exorcize the ghost of competition past, select for new forms of enemy-free and victimless space, and generate hydra effects over evolutionary timescales. Viewing our results through the economic lens of modern portfolio theory highlights why the coESS for patch selection is often a bet-hedging strategy coupling stochastic sink populations. Our results highlight how environmental stochasticity can reverse or amplify evolutionary outcomes as a result of species interactions or spatial heterogeneity.
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Lima LD, Ceballos‐González AV, Prato A, Kaminski LA, do Nascimento FS. Plant–treehopper convergence may trick butterflies into trophic oviposition mistakes. Biotropica 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Luan Dias Lima
- Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Biologia Universidade de São Paulo — USP Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Amalia Victoria Ceballos‐González
- Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Biologia Universidade de São Paulo — USP Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Amanda Prato
- Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Biologia Universidade de São Paulo — USP Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Lucas Augusto Kaminski
- Núcleo de Ecologia e Biodiversidade Instituto de Ciências Básicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alagoas — UFAL Maceió, Alagoas Brazil
| | - Fábio Santos do Nascimento
- Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Biologia Universidade de São Paulo — USP Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo Brazil
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Hill GM, Trager MD, Lucky A, Daniels JC. Protective Benefits of Tending Ants to a Critically Endangered Butterfly. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2022; 22:9. [PMID: 36508354 PMCID: PMC9744248 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieac068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ants provide protection to various organisms via myrmecophilous relationships. Most notably, ants and several butterfly species are involved in mainly mutualistic interactions. Previous field studies have shown that butterfly larval survival is increased in the presence of tending ants, suggesting that ants are providing protection against insect predation or parasitism. Here, we conducted a series of timed observational trials under laboratory conditions to assess larval survival and ant protection from insect predators for a myrmecophilous lycaenid butterfly. We focused on a critically endangered butterfly, the Miami blue (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri) (Comstock and Huntington) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), and its most common ant associate, the Florida carpenter ant (Camponotus floridanus) (Buckley) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), to test this assumption of ant protection. We found that ants provide significant protection to Miami blue larvae, with later instar larvae receiving a higher level of protection due to differences in tending frequencies. These results will aid in informing conservation management and future organism reintroductions for this endangered butterfly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew D Trager
- US Forest Service, 325 John Knox Road, STE F-100, Tallahassee, FL 32303, USA
| | - Andrea Lucky
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, 1881 Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611-0620, USA
| | - Jaret C Daniels
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, 1881 Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611-0620, USA
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, 3215 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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Robbins RK, Cong Q, Zhang J, Shen J, Busby RC, Faynel C, Duarte M, Martins ARP, Prieto C, Lamas G, Grishin NV. Genomics-based higher classification of the species-rich Hairstreaks (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Eumaeini). SYSTEMATIC ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 47:445-469. [PMID: 35782754 PMCID: PMC9246340 DOI: 10.1111/syen.12541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
We propose a higher classification of the lycaenid hairstreak tribe Eumaeini - one of the youngest and most species-rich butterfly tribes - based on autosome, Lepidopteran Z sex chromosome, and mitochondrial protein-coding genes. The subtribe Neolycaenina Korb is a synonym of Callophryidina Tutt, and subtribe Tmolusina Bálint is a synonym of Strephonotina K. Johnson, Austin, Le Crom, & Salazar. Proposed names are Rhammina Prieto & Busby, new subtribe; Timaetina Busby & Prieto, new subtribe; Atlidina Martins & Duarte, new subtribe; Evenina Faynel & Grishin, new subtribe; Jantheclina Robbins & Faynel, new subtribe; Paiwarriina Lamas & Robbins, new subtribe; Cupatheclina Lamas & Grishin, new subtribe; Parrhasiina Busby & Robbins, new subtribe; Ipideclina Martins & Grishin, new subtribe; and Trichonidina Duarte & Faynel, new subtribe. Phylogenetic results from the autosome and Z sex chromosome analyses are similar. Future analyses of datasets with hundreds of terminal taxa may be more practical time-wise by focussing on the smaller number of sex chromosome sequences (2.6% of nuclear protein-coding sequences). The phylogenetic classification and biological summaries for each subtribe suggest that a variety of factors affected Eumaeini diversification. About a dozen kinds of male secondary sexual organs with frequent evolutionary gains and losses occur in Atlidina, Evenina, and Jantheclina (141 species combined). Females have been shown to use these organs to discriminate between conspecific and non-conspecific males, facilitating sympatry among close relatives. Eumaeina, Rhammina, and Timaetina (140 species combined) are overwhelmingly montane with some evidence for a higher incidence of sympatric diversification. Seven Neotropical lineages in five subtribes invaded the temperate parts of the Nearctic Region with a diversification increase in the Callophryidina (262 species). North American Satyrium and Callophrys then invaded the Palearctic at least once each, with a major species-richness increase in Satyrium. The evolution of litter feeding detritivores within Calycopidina (172 species) resulted in an increase in diversification rate compared with its flower-feeding sister lineage. Atlidina, Strephonotina, Parrhasiina, and Strymonina (562 species combined) each contain a mixture of genera that specialize on one or two caterpillar food plant families and genera that are polyphagous. These would be appropriate subtribes to assess how the breadth of caterpillar food plants and the frequency of host shifts affected diversification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert K Robbins
- Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, PO Box 37012, NHB Stop 105, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Qian Cong
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75390-8816, USA
| | - Jinhui Shen
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75390-8816, USA
| | | | | | - Marcelo Duarte
- Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Nazaré 481, Ipiranga, 04263-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ananda R P Martins
- Redpath Museum, McGill University, 859 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Canada, H3A0C4
| | - Carlos Prieto
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Colombia and Corporación Universitaria Autónoma del Cauca, Popayán, Colombia
| | - Gerardo Lamas
- Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Apartado 14-0434, Lima-14, Peru
| | - Nick V Grishin
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75390-8816, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75390-9050, USA
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7
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Pérez-Lachaud G, Rocha FH, Pozo C, Kaminski LA, Seraphim N, Lachaud JP. A new ant-butterfly symbiosis in the forest canopy fills an evolutionary gap. Sci Rep 2021; 11:20770. [PMID: 34675260 PMCID: PMC8531015 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00274-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: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Myrmecophilous butterflies can establish complex symbiotic relationships with ants. A caterpillar wandering among the brood of the aggressive ponerine ant Neoponera villosa was found inside the core of a nest built in the myrmecophytic bromeliad Aechmea bracteata. This is the first caterpillar found living inside a ponerine ant nest. Its DNA barcode was sequenced, and an integrative approach was used to identify it as Pseudonymphidia agave, a poorly known member of the subtribe Pachythonina in the riodinid tribe Nymphidiini. The cuticle of the tank-like caterpillar lacks projections or tubercles and is covered dorsally by specialized flat setae that form an armor of small plates. Ant-organs potentially related to caterpillar-ant signaling, such as perforated cupola organs and tentacle nectary organs, are present. These morphological traits, together with evidence of social integration (direct contact with host brood, protective morphology, slow movement, no host aggressiveness), suggest that P. agave is a symbiotic, social parasite of N. villosa, preying on its host brood. However, several knowledge gaps remain, including oviposition site, dependence on bromeliad association, steps to colony integration, and larval diet through development. Carnivory has been reported in all known members of the subtribe Pachythonina (caterpillars prey on honeydew-producing hemipterans) suggesting a shift to myrmecophagy inside the ant nests as a possible evolutionary transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Pérez-Lachaud
- Departamento de Conservación de La Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Avenida Centenario Km 5.5, 77014, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
| | - Franklin H Rocha
- Departamento de Conservación de La Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Avenida Centenario Km 5.5, 77014, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Departamento de Apicultura, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Carmen Pozo
- Departamento de Conservación de La Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Avenida Centenario Km 5.5, 77014, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Lucas A Kaminski
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Noemy Seraphim
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jean-Paul Lachaud
- Departamento de Conservación de La Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Avenida Centenario Km 5.5, 77014, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale (CRCA), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France.
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Gomes GN, Leite GLD, Soares MA, Guanãbens REM, Lemes PG, Zanuncio JC. Arthropod fauna on the abaxial and adaxial surfaces of Acacia mangium (Fabaceae) leaves. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 83:e245536. [PMID: 34669792 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.245536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Acacia mangium (Willd., 1806) (Fabales: Fabaceae) is a fast growing, rustic, pioneer species, with potential to fix nitrogen, and for programs to recover degraded areas. The objective was to evaluate the distribution and the functional diversity of interactions and the K-dominance of arthropod groups on A. mangium saplings. The number of individuals of eleven species of phytophagous insects, three bee species, and fourteen natural enemy species were highest on the adaxial leaf surface of this plant. Abundance, diversity and species richness of phytophagous insects and natural enemies, and abundance and species richness of pollinators were highest on the adaxial A. mangium leaf surface. The distribution of five species of sap-sucking hemipterans and six of protocooperating ants (Hymenoptera), with positive interaction between these groups, and three bee species (Hymenoptera) were aggregated on leaves of A. mangium saplings. Aethalion reticulatum (L.) (Hemiptera: Aethalionidae) and Bemisia sp. (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae); Brachymyrmex sp. and Camponotus sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae); and Trigona spinipes Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Apidae) were the most dominant phytophagous insects, natural enemies, and pollinators, respectively, on A. mangium leaves. Knowledge of preferred leaf surfaces could help integrated pest management programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- G N Gomes
- Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri - UFVJM, Departamento de Agronomia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Produção Vegetal, Diamantina, MG, Brasil
| | - G L D Leite
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias - ICA, Montes Claros, MG, Brasil
| | - M A Soares
- Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri - UFVJM, Departamento de Agronomia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Produção Vegetal, Diamantina, MG, Brasil
| | - R E M Guanãbens
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias - ICA, Montes Claros, MG, Brasil
| | - P G Lemes
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias - ICA, Montes Claros, MG, Brasil
| | - J C Zanuncio
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV, Departamento de Entomologia/BIOAGRO, Viçosa, MG, Brasil
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Ramos RR, Francini RB, Habib MEEDM, Freitas AVL. Seasonal Patterns of Host Plant Use in an Assemblage of Heliconiini Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in a Neotropical forest. NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 50:358-365. [PMID: 33683560 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-021-00855-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Insect-plant interactions involve physiological adaptations by insects to secondary metabolic compounds synthetized by host plants, which are considered essential for the determination of resources partitioning of these insects. Data on such phenomena are important to understand evolutionary and ecological processes. However, climatic factors also seem to play a key role in affecting these patterns. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of seasonal variation on patterns of host plant use (Passifloraceae) by Heliconiini butterflies (Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae) at a Neotropical site in Southeastern Brazil. A total of 12 species of Heliconiini were reported, with nine of them being resident and using five species of Passiflora (Passifloraceae) as larval host plants. Three host plant species accounted for 97% of the total use, and the use varied along the seasons highlighting the plasticity boundaries in Heliconiini and possible limiting factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Rogner Ramos
- Depto de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Univ Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Ronaldo Bastos Francini
- Curso de Ciências Biológicas, Lab de Biologia da Conservação, Univ Católica de Santos, Santos, Brazil
| | | | - André Victor Lucci Freitas
- Depto de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Univ Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Soares H, Oliveira PS. Foraging and Spatial Ecology of a Polydomous Carpenter Ant, Camponotus leydigi (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in Tropical Cerrado Savanna: A Natural History Account. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 50:19-27. [PMID: 33313693 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvaa164] [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: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Carpenter ants (genus Camponotus) are considered to be predominantly omnivorous, mixing several feeding habits that include predation, scavenging of animal matter, and plant-derived resources. Nitrogen acquisition is crucial for the nutritional ecology of ant colonies because growing larvae require sustainable protein provisioning. Here, we investigate the foraging ecology and the spatial nesting structure of the carpenter ant, Camponotus leydigi Forel, in Brazilian cerrado savanna. By marking workers from different nests with distinct colors, we revealed that C. leydigi occupies physically separated but socially connected nests (up to 30 m apart), a phenomenon known as polydomy. Observational data on aboveground internest movements in C. leydigi corroborate cooperative exchanges between nest units and confirm several types of social connections, including internest transfer of liquid and solid food, transport of colony members (brood, workers), movement of solitary workers, and internest recruitment. Polydomous C. leydigi allocate foragers throughout 1,700 m2, feeding mostly on termites and plant-derived exudates. Influx of exudates is threefold higher compared with solid food. Uric acid pellets excreted by lizards comprise 20% of the solid diet in C. leydigi, a rare quantitative assessment of this peculiar type of nitrogen complementation in ants. Based on video recordings, we hypothesize that nest decentralization in C. leydigi may reduce foraging constraints caused by overt interference by the aggressive ant, Ectatomma brunneum Smith, F. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), which regularly blocks nest entrances. Our field study enhances the importance of natural history data to clarify selective pressures underlying the evolution of particular behavioral patterns (nutritional and nesting habits) in ants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélio Soares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo S Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
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11
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Paiva IG, Auad AM, Veríssimo BA, Silveira LCP. Differences in the insect fauna associated to a monocultural pasture and a silvopasture in Southeastern Brazil. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12112. [PMID: 32694546 PMCID: PMC7374564 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68973-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
A major challenge for global agriculture is the reduction of the environmental impacts caused by meat and dairy production, and the conversion of monocultural pastures to silvopastoral systems has emerged as an important ally in this process. In order to understand the effects of this conversion we analysed 4 years of sampling of the insect fauna from a conventional monocultural pasture and a silvopastoral system in Minas Gerais, Brazil. We aimed to determine whether the changes caused by the conversion affected the abundance, richness and diversity of the insect orders found in the two systems. Total abundance, richness and diversity did not differ between the two systems, but we detected a significant difference in community composition. Several insect orders showed differences in either abundance, richness or diversity between the two systems, and several families of Hymenoptera, which contains pollinators and natural enemies, showed important increases in the silvopasture. Conversion of monocultural pastures to silvopastures can have important consequences on insect fauna involved in essential ecosystem functions, and the implementation of silvopastures at larger scales has the potential to benefit biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service provision at the landscape scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Guedes Paiva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras-UFLA, Campus Universitário, Caixa Postal 3037, Lavras, MG, CEP 37200-900, Brazil
| | | | - Bruno Antonio Veríssimo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Comportamento e Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil
| | - Luís Cláudio Paterno Silveira
- Departmento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras-UFLA, Campus Universitário, Caixa Postal 3037, Lavras, MG, CEP 37200-900, Brazil
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Alves-Silva E, Bächtold A, Del-Claro K. Florivorous myrmecophilous caterpillars exploit an ant-plant mutualism and distract ants from extrafloral nectaries. AUSTRAL ECOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Estevao Alves-Silva
- Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso; Rua Prof. Dr. Renato Figueiro Varella, Caixa Postal 08 CEP: 78690-000 Nova Xavantina Mato Grosso Brasil
- Instituto de Biologia; Universidade Federal de Uberlândia; Uberlândia Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Alexandra Bächtold
- Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso; Rua Prof. Dr. Renato Figueiro Varella, Caixa Postal 08 CEP: 78690-000 Nova Xavantina Mato Grosso Brasil
- Universidade de São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto São Paulo Brasil
| | - Kleber Del-Claro
- Instituto de Biologia; Universidade Federal de Uberlândia; Uberlândia Minas Gerais Brazil
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LeVan KE, Barney SK, Rankin EEW. Introduced ants reduce interaction diversity in a multi-species, ant-aphid mutualism. OIKOS 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.05043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E. LeVan
- Div. of Biological Sciences, Section of Ecology, Behavior and Evolution; Univ. of California; San Diego La Jolla, CA USA
- National Ecological Observatory Network; 1685 38th Street no. 100 Boulder CO 80301 USA
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Wang B, Lu M, Cook JM, Yang DR, Dunn DW, Wang RW. Chemical camouflage: a key process in shaping an ant-treehopper and fig-fig wasp mutualistic network. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1833. [PMID: 29382931 PMCID: PMC5789893 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20310-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Different types of mutualisms may interact, co-evolve and form complex networks of interdependences, but how species interact in networks of a mutualistic community and maintain its stability remains unclear. In a mutualistic network between treehoppers-weaver ants and fig-pollinating wasps, we found that the cuticular hydrocarbons of the treehoppers are more similar to the surface chemical profiles of fig inflorescence branches (FIB) than the cuticular hydrocarbons of the fig wasps. Behavioral assays showed that the cuticular hydrocarbons from both treehoppers and FIBs reduce the propensity of weaver ants to attack treehoppers even in the absence of honeydew rewards, suggesting that chemical camouflage helps enforce the mutualism between weaver ants and treehoppers. High levels of weaver ant and treehopper abundances help maintain the dominance of pollinating fig wasps in the fig wasp community and also increase fig seed production, as a result of discriminative predation and disturbance by weaver ants of ovipositing non-pollinating fig wasps (NPFWs). Ants therefore help preserve this fig-pollinating wasp mutualism from over exploitation by NPFWs. Our results imply that in this mutualistic network chemical camouflage plays a decisive role in regulating the behavior of a key species and indirectly shaping the architecture of complex arthropod-plant interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, 666303, China
| | - Min Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - James M Cook
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, 2751, NSW, Australia
| | - Da-Rong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, 666303, China
| | - Derek W Dunn
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710069, China
| | - Rui-Wu Wang
- Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China.
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Ronque MU, Fourcassié V, Oliveira PS. Ecology and field biology of two dominant Camponotus ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Brazilian savannah. J NAT HIST 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2017.1420833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mariane U.V. Ronque
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia, C.P. 6109, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Vincent Fourcassié
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, UMR CNRS Nº5169, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Paulo S. Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, C.P. 6109, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
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17
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Ibarra-Isassi J, Oliveira PS. Indirect effects of mutualism: ant–treehopper associations deter pollinators and reduce reproduction in a tropical shrub. Oecologia 2017; 186:691-701. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-017-4045-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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18
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Bächtold A, Alves-Silva E, Del-Claro K. Ant-related oviposition is not associated to low parasitism of the myrmecophilous butterfly Allosmaitia strophius in an extrafloral nectaried shrub. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Agrawal AA. Toward a Predictive Framework for Convergent Evolution: Integrating Natural History, Genetic Mechanisms, and Consequences for the Diversity of Life. Am Nat 2017; 190:S1-S12. [PMID: 28731831 DOI: 10.1086/692111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
A charm of biology as a scientific discipline is the diversity of life. Although this diversity can make laws of biology challenging to discover, several repeated patterns and general principles govern evolutionary diversification. Convergent evolution, the independent evolution of similar phenotypes, has been at the heart of one approach to understand generality in the evolutionary process. Yet understanding when and why organismal traits and strategies repeatedly evolve has been a central challenge. These issues were the focus of the American Society of Naturalists Vice Presidential Symposium in 2016 and are the subject of this collection of articles. Although naturalists have long made inferences about convergent evolution and its importance, there has been confusion in the interpretation of the pattern of convergence. Does convergence primarily indicate adaptation or constraint? How often should convergence be expected? Are there general principles that would allow us to predict where and when and by what mechanisms convergent evolution should occur? What role does natural history play in advancing our understanding of general evolutionary principles? In this introductory article, I address these questions, review several generalizations about convergent evolution that have emerged over the past 15 years, and present a framework for advancing the study and interpretation of convergence. Perhaps the most important emerging conclusion is that the genetic mechanisms of convergent evolution are phylogenetically conserved; that is, more closely related species tend to share the same genetic basis of traits, even when independently evolved. Finally, I highlight how the articles in this special issue further develop concepts, methodologies, and case studies at the frontier of our understanding of the causes and consequences of convergent evolution.
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Dejean A, Azémar F, Libert M, Compin A, Hérault B, Orivel J, Bouyer T, Corbara B. Ant-lepidopteran associations along African forest edges. Naturwissenschaften 2016; 104:7. [PMID: 28035457 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-016-1424-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Working along forest edges, we aimed to determine how some caterpillars can co-exist with territorially dominant arboreal ants (TDAAs) in tropical Africa. We recorded caterpillars from 22 lepidopteran species living in the presence of five TDAA species. Among the defoliator and/or nectarivorous caterpillars that live on tree foliage, the Pyralidae and Nymphalidae use their silk to protect themselves from ant attacks. The Notodontidae and lycaenid Polyommatinae and Theclinae live in direct contact with ants; the Theclinae even reward ants with abundant secretions from their Newcomer gland. Lichen feeders (lycaenid; Poritiinae), protected by long bristles, also live among ants. Some lycaenid Miletinae caterpillars feed on ant-attended membracids, including in the shelters where the ants attend them; Lachnocnema caterpillars use their forelegs to obtain trophallaxis from their host ants. Caterpillars from other species live inside weaver ant nests. Those of the genus Euliphyra (Miletinae) feed on ant prey and brood and can obtain trophallaxis, while those from an Eberidae species only prey on host ant eggs. Eublemma albifascia (Erebidae) caterpillars use their thoracic legs to obtain trophallaxis and trophic eggs from ants. Through transfer bioassays of last instars, we noted that herbivorous caterpillars living in contact with ants were always accepted by alien conspecific ants; this is likely due to an intrinsic appeasing odor. Yet, caterpillars living in ant shelters or ant nests probably acquire cues from their host colonies because they were considered aliens and killed. We conclude that co-evolution with ants occurred similarly in the Heterocera and Rhopalocera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Dejean
- Ecolab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, UPS-ECOLAB, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse, France. .,CNRS, UMR EcoFoG, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRA, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, 97310, Kourou, France.
| | - Frédéric Azémar
- Ecolab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, UPS-ECOLAB, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Arthur Compin
- Ecolab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, UPS-ECOLAB, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse, France
| | - Bruno Hérault
- CNRS, UMR EcoFoG, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRA, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, 97310, Kourou, France
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS, UMR EcoFoG, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRA, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, 97310, Kourou, France
| | | | - Bruno Corbara
- CNRS, UMR Laboratoire Microorganismes, Génome et Environnement, Université Blaise Pascal, Complexe Scientifique des Cézeaux, 63177, Aubière Cedex, France.,Université Clermont Auvergne, Université Blaise Pascal (LMGE), 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Dáttilo W, Aguirre A, De la Torre PL, Kaminski LA, García-Chávez J, Rico-Gray V. Trait-mediated indirect interactions of ant shape on the attack of caterpillars and fruits. Biol Lett 2016; 12:rsbl.2016.0401. [PMID: 27484648 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2016.0401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mainly owing to their high diversity and abundance, ants are formidable as predators and defenders of foliage. Consequently, ants can exclude both invertebrate and vertebrate activity on plants via direct and indirect interactions as already shown in many previous studies. Here we present empirical evidence that objects resembling ant shape on dummy caterpillars were able to repel visually oriented predators. Moreover, we also show that rubber ants on dummy fruits can repel potential fruit dispersers. Our results have direct implications on the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of interactions in ant-based systems, as ant presence could affect the fitness of its partners. In short, our study highlights the importance of visual cues in interspecific interactions and opens a new way to study the effects of ant presence to test ecological and evolutionary hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley Dáttilo
- Red de Ecoetología, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Armando Aguirre
- Red de Interacciones Multitróficas, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Pedro Luna De la Torre
- Red de Ecoetología, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico Escuela de Biología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Pue, Mexico
| | - Lucas A Kaminski
- Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Juan García-Chávez
- Escuela de Biología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Pue, Mexico
| | - Víctor Rico-Gray
- Instituto de Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
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22
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Bächtold A, Silva EA, Del-Claro K. Ants, plant characteristics and habitat conservation status affect the occurrence of myrmecophilous butterflies on an extrafloral nectaried Malpighiaceae. STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/01650521.2016.1198192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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23
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Structure of mutualistic ant–treehopper interactions in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1017/s0266467416000183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:Ant–treehopper mutualisms are centred on the availability of honeydew, a sugary fluid offered by treehoppers to attract ants, which respond by defending their hosts against predators and parasitoids. However, due to differences in the treehopper social behaviour (i.e. the amount of food resource available) ants can monopolize treehopper aggregations in many ways. Here we evaluated the topological structure of quantitative ant–treehopper interaction networks in three Brazilian Atlantic Forest localities. Moreover, we specifically investigated the role of ant recruitment strategy and treehopper behaviour in the structure of these networks. For this, we sampled ant–treehopper interactions along representative transects (6 km per site) within each studied site and recorded the mean number of individuals of treehopper and ant species. We found that independent of variation in environmental factors among study sites, ant–treehopper networks were highly compartmentalized (Mean ± SD: Q = 0.34 ± 0.1) when compared with null models, and exhibit low connectance (C = 0.18 ± 0.01) and specialization (H2’ = 0.36 ± 0.08) values. In addition, we also observed that larger aggregations of treehoppers interacted with a higher number of ant species and ants that were locally dominant and showed massive recruitment interacted with a larger number of treehopper species. In summary, our results illustrate the importance of foraging strategies in shaping ecological interactions in tropical environments.
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Alves-Silva E, Del-Claro K. On the inability of ants to protect their plant partners and the effect of herbivores on different stages of plant reproduction. AUSTRAL ECOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Estevao Alves-Silva
- Institute of Biology; Federal University of Uberlândia; Ceará Str. 2D Building Umuarama Campus Uberlândia Minas Gerais 38400-902 Brazil
- Fachbereich Biologie; Technische Universität Darmstadt; Darmstadt Germany
| | - Kleber Del-Claro
- Institute of Biology; Federal University of Uberlândia; Ceará Str. 2D Building Umuarama Campus Uberlândia Minas Gerais 38400-902 Brazil
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25
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Sendoya SF, Oliveira PS. Ant-caterpillar antagonism at the community level: interhabitat variation of tritrophic interactions in a neotropical savanna. J Anim Ecol 2014; 84:442-52. [PMID: 25251455 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Ant foraging on foliage can substantially affect how phytophagous insects use host plants and represents a high predation risk for caterpillars, which are important folivores. Ant-plant-herbivore interactions are especially pervasive in cerrado savanna due to continuous ant visitation to liquid food sources on foliage (extrafloral nectaries, insect honeydew). While searching for liquid rewards on plants, aggressive ants frequently attack or kill insect herbivores, decreasing their numbers. Because ants vary in diet and aggressiveness, their effect on herbivores also varies. Additionally, the differential occurrence of ant attractants (plant and insect exudates) on foliage produces variable levels of ant foraging within local floras and among localities. Here, we investigate how variation of ant communities and of traits among host plant species (presence or absence of ant attractants) can change the effect of carnivores (predatory ants) on herbivore communities (caterpillars) in a cerrado savanna landscape. We sampled caterpillars and foliage-foraging ants in four cerrado localities (70-460 km apart). We found that: (i) caterpillar infestation was negatively related with ant visitation to plants; (ii) this relationship depended on local ant abundance and species composition, and on local preference by ants for plants with liquid attractants; (iii) this was not related to local plant richness or plant size; (iv) the relationship between the presence of ant attractants and caterpillar abundance varied among sites from negative to neutral; and (v) caterpillars feeding on plants with ant attractants are more resistant to ant predation than those feeding on plants lacking attractants. Liquid food on foliage mediates host plant quality for lepidopterans by promoting generalized ant-caterpillar antagonism. Our study in cerrado shows that the negative effects of generalist predatory ants on herbivores are detectable at a community level, affecting patterns of abundance and host plant use by lepidopterans. The magnitude of ant-induced effects on caterpillar occurrence across the cerrado landscape may depend on how ants use plants locally and how they respond to liquid food on plants at different habitats. This study enhances the relevance of plant-ant and ant-herbivore interactions in cerrado and highlights the importance of a tritrophic perspective in this ant-rich environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastián F Sendoya
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, C.P. 6109, 13083-862, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo S Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, C.P. 6109, 13083-862, Campinas, SP, Brazil
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Bächtold A, Alves-Silva E, Kaminski LA, Del-Claro K. The role of tending ants in host plant selection and egg parasitism of two facultative myrmecophilous butterflies. Naturwissenschaften 2014; 101:913-9. [PMID: 25200736 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-014-1232-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Ovipositing adult females of myrmecophilous lycaenids are expected to select plants based on ant presence in order to maximize the survivorship of immature stages. Usually, larvae feed ants with honey-like solutions and, in turn, ants ward off parasitoids. Nonetheless, a rarely investigated approach is whether ant partners can also extend their protective behavior towards lycaenids eggs. Here, we investigated the ant-related oviposition pattern of Allosmaitia strophius and Rekoa marius; then, we compared egg parasitism according to the presence of ants. Lycaenid oviposition and egg parasitism (in percent) were experimentally compared in ant-present and ant-excluded treatments. The study plant, Heteropterys byrsonimifolia, is an extrafloral nectaried shrub which supports several ant species. We sampled 280 eggs, of which 39.65 % belonged to A. strophius and 60.35 % to R. marius. Both lycaenids eggs were significantly more abundant on branches with ants, especially those with Camponotus crassus and Camponotus blandus, two ant species known to attend to lycaenids. A. strophius and R. marius parasitism was 4.5- and 2.4-fold higher, respectively, in ant-present treatments, but the results were not statistically significant. Our study shows that ant-mediated host plant selection in lycaenids might be much more widespread than previously thought, and not restricted to obligate myrmecophilous species. Tending ants may be inefficient bodyguards of lycaenid eggs, because unlike larvae which release sugared liquids, eggs do not offer obvious rewards to ants. Ants can ward off parasitoids of larvae, as observed elsewhere, but our findings show that positive ant-lycaenid interactions are conditional and depend on immature ontogeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Bächtold
- Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes no. 3900, CEP 14040901, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil,
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Styrsky JD. An orb-weaver spider exploits an ant-acacia mutualism for enemy-free space. Ecol Evol 2014; 4:276-83. [PMID: 24558583 PMCID: PMC3925429 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Accepted: 12/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Exploiters of protection mutualisms are assumed to represent an important threat for the stability of those mutualisms, but empirical evidence for the commonness or relevance of exploiters is limited. Here, I describe results from a manipulative study showing that an orb-weaver spider, Eustala oblonga, inhabits an ant-acacia for protection from predators. This spider is unique in the orb-weaver family in that it associates closely with both a specific host plant and ants. I tested the protective effect of acacia ants on E. oblonga by comparing spider abundance over time on acacias with ants and on acacias from which entire ant colonies were experimentally removed. Both juvenile and adult spider abundance significantly decreased over time on acacias without ants. Concomitantly, the combined abundance of potential spider predators increased over time on acacias without ants. These results suggest that ant protection of the ant-acacia Acacia melanocerus also protects the spiders, thus supporting the hypothesis that E. oblonga exploits the ant-acacia mutualism for enemy-free space. Although E. oblonga takes advantage of the protection services of ants, it likely exacts little to no cost and should not threaten the stability of the ant-acacia mutualism. Indeed, the potential threat of exploiter species to protection mutualisms in general may be limited to species that exploit the material rewards traded in such mutualisms rather than the protection services.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Styrsky
- Department of Biology, Lynchburg College Lynchburg, Virginia, 24503
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Silva NAP, Duarte M, Araújo EB, Morais HC. Larval biology of anthophagous Eumaeini (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae, Theclinae) in the cerrado of central Brazil. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2014; 14:184. [PMID: 25368090 PMCID: PMC5443601 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieu046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2013] [Accepted: 08/26/2013] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The biology and morphology of the early stages of 22 species of Eumaeini (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae, Theclinae) are presented. Observations were collected through the inspection of inflorescences in the field and the rearing of 214 larvae in laboratory. Allosmaitia strophius (Godart) associated with Malpighiaceae species and the polyphagous Strymon mulucha (Hewitson) were the most frequently collected species. Detritivory was observed in two species, Electrostrymon endymion (F.) and Kisutam syllis (Godman & Salvin), and myrmecophily in four other species, A. strophius, Ministrymon azia (Hewitson), Parrhasius polibetes (Stoll), and S. mulucha. Cannibalism was observed in A. strophius; in addition, the pupa of this and of three other species produced audible sounds. Paiwarria aphaca (Hewitson) was highlighted because of the great difference observed between its first and last instars, as well as the marked difference between that species and the larvae of Paiwarria umbratus (Geyer) documented in Costa Rica. Larvae of Calycopis mimas (Godman & Salvin) displayed "bungee jumping" behavior when stimulated. Parasitoids (Diptera, Hymenoptera) attacked 21 larvae of eight species, A. strophius, K. syllis, M. azia, Pai. aphaca, P. polibetes, Rekoa marius (Lucas), S. mulucha, and Tmolus venustus (H.H. Druce). Illustrations of immatures and parasitoids are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neuza A P Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, 70910-900 Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Duarte
- Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Nazaré 481, Ipiranga, 04263-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Eliezer B Araújo
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, 70910-900 Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Helena C Morais
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, 70910-900 Brasília, DF, Brazil
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Kaminski LA, Mota LL, Freitas AVL, Moreira GRP. Two ways to be a myrmecophilous butterfly: natural history and comparative immature-stage morphology of two species ofTheope(Lepidoptera: Riodinidae). Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas A. Kaminski
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia; Universidade Estadual de Campinas; CP 6109; 13083-970; Campinas; SP; Brazil
| | - Luísa L. Mota
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia; Universidade Estadual de Campinas; CP 6109; 13083-970; Campinas; SP; Brazil
| | - André V. L. Freitas
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia; Universidade Estadual de Campinas; CP 6109; 13083-970; Campinas; SP; Brazil
| | - Gilson R. P. Moreira
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Avenue Bento Gonçalves 9500; 91501-970; Porto Alegre; RS; Brazil
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30
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Behavioral strategy of a lycaenid (Lepidoptera) caterpillar against aggressive ants in a Brazilian savanna. Acta Ethol 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s10211-012-0140-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Muniz DG, Freitas AVL, Oliveira PS. Phenological relationships ofEunica bechina(Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) and its host plant,Caryocar brasiliense(Caryocaraceae), in a Neotropical savanna. STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT 2012. [DOI: 10.1080/01650521.2012.698932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Disruption of ant-aphid mutualism in canopy enhances the abundance of beetles on the forest floor. PLoS One 2012; 7:e35468. [PMID: 22558156 PMCID: PMC3338844 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2012] [Accepted: 03/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ant-aphid mutualism is known to play a key role in the structure of the arthropod community in the tree canopy, but its possible ecological effects for the forest floor are unknown. We hypothesized that aphids in the canopy can increase the abundance of ants on the forest floor, thus intensifying the impacts of ants on other arthropods on the forest floor. We tested this hypothesis in a deciduous temperate forest in Beijing, China. We excluded the aphid-tending ants Lasius fuliginosus from the canopy using plots of varying sizes, and monitored the change in the abundance of ants and other arthropods on the forest floor in the treated and control plots. We also surveyed the abundance of ants and other arthropods on the forest floor to explore the relationships between ants and other arthropods in the field. Through a three-year experimental study, we found that the exclusion of ants from the canopy significantly decreased the abundance of ants on the forest floor, but increased the abundance of beetles, although the effect was only significant in the large ant-exclusion plot (80*60 m). The field survey showed that the abundance of both beetles and spiders was negatively related to the abundance of ants. These results suggest that aphids located in the tree canopy have indirect negative effects on beetles by enhancing the ant abundance on the forest floor. Considering that most of the beetles in our study are important predators, the ant-aphid mutualism can have further trophic cascading effects on the forest floor food web.
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Forister ML, Dyer LA, Singer MS, Stireman III JO, Lill JT. Revisiting the evolution of ecological specialization, with emphasis on insect–plant interactions. Ecology 2012; 93:981-91. [DOI: 10.1890/11-0650.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Bächtold A, Del-Claro K, Kaminski LA, Freitas AV, Oliveira PS. Natural history of an ant–plant–butterfly interaction in a Neotropical savanna. J NAT HIST 2012. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2011.651649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Kaminski LA, Rodrigues D, Freitas AVL. Immature stages ofParrhasius polibetes(Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae): host plants, tending ants, natural enemies and morphology. J NAT HIST 2012. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2011.651630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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