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Riesch R, Araújo MS, Bumgarner S, Filla C, Pennafort L, Goins TR, Lucion D, Makowicz AM, Martin RA, Pirroni S, Langerhans RB. Resource competition explains rare cannibalism in the wild in livebearing fishes. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8872. [PMID: 35600676 PMCID: PMC9109233 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rüdiger Riesch
- Department of Biological Sciences Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour Royal Holloway University of London Egham UK
| | - Márcio S. Araújo
- Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Rio Claro Brazil
| | - Stuart Bumgarner
- Department of Biological Sciences North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USA
| | - Caitlynn Filla
- Department of Biological Sciences North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USA
- Department of Anthropology University of Florida Gainesville Florida USA
| | - Laura Pennafort
- Department of Biological Sciences Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour Royal Holloway University of London Egham UK
| | - Taylor R. Goins
- Department of Biological Sciences North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USA
| | - Darlene Lucion
- Department of Biological Sciences Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour Royal Holloway University of London Egham UK
| | - Amber M. Makowicz
- Department of Biological Sciences Florida State University Tallahassee Florida USA
| | - Ryan A. Martin
- Department of Biology Case Western Reserve University Cleveland Ohio USA
| | - Sara Pirroni
- Department of Biological Sciences Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour Royal Holloway University of London Egham UK
| | - R. Brian Langerhans
- Department of Biological Sciences North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USA
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2
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Miler K, Scharf I. Behavioral differences between pit-building antlions and wormlions suggest limits to convergent evolution. Integr Zool 2022. [PMID: 35500247 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Antlions and wormlions are distantly related insect taxa, both digging pits in loose soil and ambushing arthropod prey. Their hunting method, which is rare in the animal kingdom, is a clear example of convergent evolution. There is little research directly comparing the 2 pit-building taxa. Using the same experimental platform to investigate how they respond to biotic and abiotic environmental factors enables an examination of their convergence and its limits. We investigated the response of antlions and wormlions to 3 factors common in their daily life: disturbance to the pits, prey arrival, and conspecific competitors. Although both increased the pit size following disturbance, wormlions increased it faster than antlions. Antlions responded to prey faster than wormlions, but wormlions improved their response time over days. The most diverging response was toward conspecifics. Whereas antlions relocated their pits fast in response to increasing conspecific density, wormlions never relocated. We suggest explanations for the behavioral differences between the taxa. Our results imply that despite the similar hunting method of the 2 taxa they may differ greatly in their behavior, which in turn might have consequences for their habitat use and population dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Miler
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland.,School of Zoology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Inon Scharf
- School of Zoology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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3
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Convergent evolution of antlions and wormlions: similarities and differences in the behavioural ecology of unrelated trap-building predators. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03106-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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4
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Algarve BB, Graciolli G, Lima TN. Influence of rainfall regime in the Cerrado biome on the maintenance of traps built by Myrmeleon brasiliensis (Navás) (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) larvae and the morphology of adults. IHERINGIA. SERIE ZOOLOGIA 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-4766e2022020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Seasonality in the Cerrado biome of Brazil is characterized by a dry season and a rainy season, affecting the availability of water and generating nutritional limitations. Thus, plants and animals have developed adaptive mechanisms in order to survive in this environment. Insects known as antlions (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) occur in areas of the Cerrado and build traps in dry soil to capture prey items. In the rainy season, these insects are unable to forage due to the waterlogged soil. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the rainfall regime in the Cerrado on aspects of trap-building behavior, larval development and morphological characteristics of adult antlions. Larvae of the antlion Myrmeleon brasiliensis (Návas, 1914) were observed and collected in an area of the Cerrado biome in the municipality of Aquidauana (MS), Brazil. Observations were performed in the rainy and dry seasons to determine the abundance of traps built by M. brasiliensis larvae. In the laboratory, experiments were performed involving the manipulation of the frequency of simulated rain on the traps. The results revealed that variations in rainfall due to seasonality in the Cerrado affect M. brasiliensis larvae, with greater foraging observed in the dry season. The laboratory experiments demonstrated that differences in the frequency of rains affect the mortality of the larvae, larval development time and the size of the adults. Thus, variations in rainfall patterns can lead to variations in the characteristics of the population structure of M. brasiliensis in areas of the Cerrado biome in Brazil.
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Fouilloux CA, Fromhage L, Valkonen JK, Rojas B. OUP accepted manuscript. Behav Ecol 2022; 33:582-591. [PMID: 35592877 PMCID: PMC9113263 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arac020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In juveniles extreme intraspecies aggression can seem counter-intuitive, as it might endanger their developmental goal of surviving until reproductive stage. Ultimately, aggression can be vital for survival, although the factors (e.g., genetic or environmental) leading to the expression and intensity of this behavior vary across taxa. Attacking (and sometimes killing) related individuals may reduce inclusive fitness; as a solution to this problem, some species exhibit kin discrimination and preferentially attack unrelated individuals. Here, we used both experimental and modeling approaches to consider how physical traits (e.g., size in relation to opponent) and genetic relatedness mediate aggression in dyads of cannibalistic Dendrobates tinctorius tadpoles. We paired full-sibling, half-sibling, and non-sibling tadpoles of different sizes together in an arena and recorded their aggression and activity. We found that the interaction between relative size and relatedness predicts aggressive behavior: large individuals in non-sibling dyads are significantly more aggressive than large individuals in sibling dyads. Unexpectedly, although siblings tended to attack less overall, in size-mismatched pairs they attacked faster than in non-sibling treatments. Using a theoretical model to complement these empirical findings, we propose that larval aggression reflects a balance between relatedness and size where individuals trade-off their own fitness with that of their relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe A Fouilloux
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of Jyvaskyla, P.O. Box 35, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
- Address correspondence to C.A. Fouilloux. E-mail:
| | - Lutz Fromhage
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of Jyvaskyla, P.O. Box 35, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Janne K Valkonen
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of Jyvaskyla, P.O. Box 35, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Bibiana Rojas
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of Jyvaskyla, P.O. Box 35, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstraße 1, 1160 Vienna, Austria
- B. Rojas. E-mail:
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Tong J, Wu B, Song Z, Gao Z, Sun J, Ma Y, Zhuang J. Research on the drag reduction mechanism of antlion (Myrmeleon sagax) larvae nonsmooth structural surface. Microsc Res Tech 2019; 83:338-344. [PMID: 31789470 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Antlion (Myrmeleon sagax) larvae live in sandy soil and possess the ability to enter soil quickly. In this article, the hierarchical structure of the nonsmooth surface of antlion larvae was obtained using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Based on the results, a bionic nonsmooth structure model was established to investigate the friction and movement of soil particles above it. Then the relationship between drag reduction characteristics and the antlion larvae's nonsmooth structural surface was discussed, which would be helpful to design soil-engaging components. When the height of each nonsmooth structure is proportional to the square of their interval distance, and is proportional to the velocity of movement, it is shown that a nonsmooth structural surface contributes to improving the bulk coefficient of granular materials, which leads to substantial drag reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Tong
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Baoguang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Zelai Song
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Zibo Gao
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiyu Sun
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunhai Ma
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
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Kin Recognition in two Species of Cellar Spiders, (Pholcidae), and its Effects on Inter- and Intra-Specific Predation of Spiderlings. AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 2019. [DOI: 10.1674/0003-0031-181.2.290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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8
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Mastrantonio V, Crasta G, Puggioli A, Bellini R, Urbanelli S, Porretta D. Cannibalism in temporary waters: Simulations and laboratory experiments revealed the role of spatial shape in the mosquito Aedes albopictus. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0198194. [PMID: 29813108 PMCID: PMC5973580 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannibalism is a commonly observed phenomenon in arthropod species having relevant consequences for population dynamics and individual fitness. It is a context-dependent behaviour and an understanding of the factors affecting cannibalism rate is crucial to highlight its ecological relevance. In mosquitoes, cannibalism between larval stages has been widely documented, and the role of density, food availability and length of contact between individuals also ascertained. However, although mosquitoes can develop in temporary water habitats with very heterogeneous topologies, the role of the site shape where cannibals and victims co-occur has been instead overlooked. In this paper, we investigated this issue by using a simulation approach and laboratory cannibalism experiments between old (third- and fourth-instars) and young (first-instar) larvae of the tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus. Three virtual spaces with different shapes were simulated and the number of larval encounters was estimated in each one to assess whether the spatial shape affected the number of encounters between cannibal and victims. Then, experimental trials in containers with similar shapes to those used in the simulations were performed, and the cannibalism rate was estimated at 24 and 48h. Our results showed that the spatial shape plays a role on cannibalism interactions, affecting the number of encounters between individuals. Indeed, in the experimental trials performed, we observed the highest cannibalism rate in the container with the highest number of encounters predicted by the simulations. Interestingly, we found also that spatial shape can affect cannibalism not only by affecting the number of encounters, but also the number of encounters “favorable” for cannibalistic events. Temporary waters are inhabited by several species other than mosquitoes. Our results, showing an influence of the spatial shape on cannibalism in Ae. albopictus larvae, add a new critical factor to those affecting ecological interactions in these habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Graziano Crasta
- Department of Mathematics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Romeo Bellini
- Agriculture Environment Centre “G. Nicoli”, Crevalcore, Italy
| | - Sandra Urbanelli
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Porretta
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
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9
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Shanas U, Gavish Y, Bernheim M, Mittler S, Olek Y, Tal A. Cascading ecological effects from local extirpation of an ecosystem engineer in the Arava desert. CAN J ZOOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2017-0114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The extinction of a single species from a local community may carry little cost in terms of species diversity, yet its loss eliminates its biotic and abiotic interactions. We describe such a scenario in the Arava desert, where different cultural and law enforcement practices exclude Dorcas gazelles (Gazella dorcas (Linnaeus, 1758)) from the Jordanian side of the border while protecting their populations on the Israeli side. We found that gazelles break the soil crust, formed in desert systems after annual flooding, thereby creating patches of loose and cooler sand that are used by pit-building antlions (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae). When we artificially broke the soil crust on both sides of the border, we found a significant increase in antlion density in these patches, but only on the Israeli side. On the Jordanian side, where no gazelles have been observed since the early 1980s, no antlions colonized either control or manipulated plots. Additional choice/no-choice feeding experiments, in which we offered antlions to lizards and birds, revealed that the effect of humans on gazelles cascades farther, as antlions serve as a palatable food source for both groups. Thus, the human-mediated loss of nontrophic interactions between gazelles and antlions cascades to the loss of trophic interactions between antlions and their predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uri Shanas
- Department of Biology and Environment, University of Haifa–Oranim, Tivon 36006, Israel
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel
| | - Yoni Gavish
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2-9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Mai Bernheim
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel
| | - Shacham Mittler
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel
| | - Yael Olek
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel
| | - Alon Tal
- Department of Public Policy, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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Barkae ED, Scharf I, Ovadia O. A stranger is tastier than a neighbor: cannibalism in Mediterranean and desert antlion populations. Behav Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arw132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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12
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Scharf I, Daniel A, MacMillan HA, Katz N. The effect of fasting and body reserves on cold tolerance in 2 pit-building insect predators. Curr Zool 2016; 63:287-294. [PMID: 29491987 PMCID: PMC5804172 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zow049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pit-building antlions and wormlions are 2 distantly-related insect species, whose larvae construct pits in loose soil to trap small arthropod prey. This convergent evolution of natural histories has led to additional similarities in their natural history and ecology, and thus, these 2 species encounter similar abiotic stress (such as periodic starvation) in their natural habitat. Here, we measured the cold tolerance of the 2 species and examined whether recent feeding or food deprivation, as well as body composition (body mass and lipid content) and condition (quantified as mass-to-size residuals) affect their cold tolerance. In contrast to other insects, in which food deprivation either enhanced or impaired cold tolerance, prolonged fasting had no effect on the cold tolerance of either species, which had similar cold tolerance. The 2 species differed, however, in how cold tolerance related to body mass and lipid content: although body mass was positively correlated with the wormlion cold tolerance, lipid content was a more reliable predictor of cold tolerance in the antlions. Cold tolerance also underwent greater change with ontogeny in wormlions than in antlions. We discuss possible reasons for this lack of effect of food deprivation on both species' cold tolerance, such as their high starvation tolerance (being sit-and-wait predators).
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Affiliation(s)
- Inon Scharf
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, POB 39040, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel and
| | - Alma Daniel
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, POB 39040, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel and
| | | | - Noa Katz
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, POB 39040, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel and
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