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Guerra TJ, Braga RF, Camarota F, Neves FS, Fernandes GW. Avian Predators Avoid Attacking Fly-Mimicking Beetles: A Field Experiment on Evasive Mimicry Using Artificial Prey. Am Nat 2024; 204:96-104. [PMID: 38857342 DOI: 10.1086/730263] [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: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
AbstractMany Neotropical beetles present coloration patterns mimicking red-eyed flies, which are presumably evasive mimicry models. However, the role of predators in selecting for evasive mimics in nature remains untested. In a field experiment, we used nontoxic plasticine replicas of a specialized fly-mimicking beetle species, which we placed on the host plants of the beetles. We show that replicas painted with reddish patches simulating the eyes of flesh flies experienced a much lower predation rate than control replicas. We found that beak marks were the most frequent signs of attack on plasticine replicas, underlining the potential selective pressure exerted by birds. Replicas that matched the size of the beetles suffered higher predation than smaller or larger replicas. The predation rate was also higher for beetle replicas exposed during the warm and wet season, when adult beetles occur. Our results support predator-mediated selection of mimic beetles, highlighting that reddish spots resembling flies' eyes comprise an important trait in reducing attack by avian predators.
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Torres C, Mazzei MP, Vesprini JL, Galetto L. Plant Reproductive Success Mediated by Nectar Offered to Pollinators and Defensive Ants in Terrestrial Bromeliaceae. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:493. [PMID: 38498426 PMCID: PMC10891524 DOI: 10.3390/plants13040493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Most plants produce floral nectar to attract pollinators that impact pollination and seed production; some of them also secrete extrafloral nectar harvested by insects that may influence the plant reproductive success. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of excluding pollinators and/or ants on the per-plant reproductive success in two species (Dyckia floribunda Griseb. and Dyckia longipetala Baker, Bromeliaceae) that produce floral and extrafloral nectar. The hypothesis states that both ecological processes (pollination and ant defense) involving nectar-mediated animal-plant interactions are beneficial for plant reproductive success. We expected the highest decrease in the plant fruit and seed sets when the pollinators and ants were excluded, and a moderate decrease when solely ants were excluded, compared to the control plants (those exposed to pollinators and ants). In addition, a lower natural reproductive success was also expected in the self-incompatible D. longipetala than in the self-compatible D. floribunda, as the former totally depends on animal pollination for seed production. D. floribunda and D. longipetala presented similar trends in the response variables, and the expected results for the experimental treatments were observed, with some variations between species and among populations. The ecological function of nectar is important because these two plant species depend on pollinators to produce seeds and on ants to defend flowers from the endophytic larvae of Lepidoptera. The study of multispecies interactions through mechanistic experiments could be necessary to clarify the specific effects of different animals on plant reproductive success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Torres
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (IMBIV), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Vélez Sarsfield 1611, Córdoba CP X5016GCA, Argentina;
- Cátedra de Diversidad Biológica III, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Vélez Sarsfield 299, Córdoba CP 5000, Argentina
| | - Mariana P. Mazzei
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agrarias de Rosario, IICAR-CONICET-UNR, CC 14, Zavalla CP S2125ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina; (M.P.M.); (J.L.V.)
| | - José L. Vesprini
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agrarias de Rosario, IICAR-CONICET-UNR, CC 14, Zavalla CP S2125ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina; (M.P.M.); (J.L.V.)
| | - Leonardo Galetto
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (IMBIV), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Vélez Sarsfield 1611, Córdoba CP X5016GCA, Argentina;
- Cátedra de Diversidad Biológica III, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Vélez Sarsfield 299, Córdoba CP 5000, Argentina
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Alonso‐Crespo IM, Hernández‐Agüero JA. Shedding light on trophic interactions: A field experiment on the effect of human population between latitudes on herbivory and predation patterns. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10449. [PMID: 37664505 PMCID: PMC10468994 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Interactions between species within an ecosystem (e.g. predation and herbivory) play a vital role in sustaining the ecosystem functionality, which includes aspects like pest control and nutrient cycling. Unfortunately, human activities are progressively disrupting these trophic relationships, thereby contributing to the ongoing biodiversity decline. Additionally, certain human activities like urbanization may further impact the intensity of these trophic interactions, which are already known to be influenced by latitudinal gradients. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis of whether the impact of human population, used as a proxy for human pressure, differs between latitudes. To test it, we selected 18 study sites at two latitudes (i.e. ~53°N and ~50°N) with varying human population density (HPD). We used artificial caterpillars placed on European beech branches to assess bird predation and took standardized pictures of the leaves to estimate insect herbivory. Remote sensing techniques were used to estimate human pressure. We found that the intensity of bird predation varied in response to HPD, with opposite trends observed depending on the latitude. At our upper latitude, bird predation increased with HPD, while the opposite was observed at the lower latitude. Herbivory was not affected by urbanization and we found higher levels of herbivory in the lower compared to the higher latitude. At the lower latitude, certain species may experience a disadvantage attributed to the urban heat island effect due to their sensitivity to temperature fluctuations. Conversely, at the higher latitude, where minimum temperatures can be a limitation, certain species may benefit from milder winters. Overall, this study highlights the complex and dynamic nature of trophic relationships in the face of human-driven changes to ecosystems. It also emphasizes the importance of considering both human pressure and latitudinal gradients when assessing the ecological consequences of future climate change scenarios, especially in urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan Antonio Hernández‐Agüero
- Senckenberg Gesellschaft für NaturforschungFrankfurt (am Main)Germany
- Department of Environmental GeographyVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
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Queiroz EA, Schoereder JH, Cornelissen TG, Brando PM, Maracahipes L, Paolucci LN. Reduced predation by arthropods and higher herbivory in burned Amazonian forests. Biotropica 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elenir Aparecida Queiroz
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia, Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Viçosa Viçosa MG Brazil
| | | | - Tatiana Garabini Cornelissen
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Belo Horizonte MG Brazil
| | - Paulo Monteiro Brando
- Instituto de Pesquisa Ambiental da Amazônia Brasília DF Brazil
- Department of Earth System University of California Irvine California USA
| | - Leandro Maracahipes
- Instituto de Pesquisa Ambiental da Amazônia Brasília DF Brazil
- Instituto de Biologia Universidade Estadual de Campinas Campinas SP Brazil
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Ecological Infrastructures May Enhance Lepidopterans Predation in Irrigated Mediterranean Farmland, Depending on Their Typology and the Predator Guild. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14073874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Ecological infrastructures (EIs) are considered relevant components in agricultural landscapes to support biodiversity and ecosystem services. We used the predatory attacks on lepidopteran dummies as a proxy to assess predation rates in the agricultural matrix and different EIs types according to their location and vegetation structure. We aimed at comparing the effect of different types of EI on the predation intensity in two intensively irrigated agricultural areas located in the Sorraia and Tagus river valleys in central Portugal. We hypothesized that: (1) the predation rate would be higher near EIs compared with the agricultural matrix, (2) the positive effect of EIs on predation rate would differ with their typologies, and (3) the EIs’ proximity and proportion in the surrounding landscape would have a positive effect on the predation rate in agricultural fields. The EI typologies influenced differently the predator groups and the overall predation rate. Major differences were observed for bird predation, being higher in woody EIs. A positive correlation between predation rate and EIs area of the surrounding landscape, as well as a negative correlation with the distance to the nearest riparian and woody EIs, was observed for birds. The observed dissimilarities in the predators’ response may be related to habitat differences and its functional connectivity. The overall monthly low predation rates are possibly related to the intensive agricultural system and the small area occupied by EIs.
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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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Hernández-Agüero J, Polo V, García M, Simón D, Ruiz-Tapiador I, Cayuela L. Effects of prey colour on bird predation: an experiment in Mediterranean woodlands. Anim Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Santos ATF, Leal LC. My plant, my rules: bodyguard ants of plants with extrafloral nectaries affect patterns of pollinator visits but not pollination success. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/bly165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Thiciane F Santos
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Laura C Leal
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil
- Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, Brazil
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Cruz NG, Almeida CS, Bacci L, Cristaldo PF, Santana AS, Oliveira AP, Ribeiro EJM, Araújo APA. Ant associations in the Neotropical shrubTurnera subulata(Turneraceae): Costs or benefits to the host plant? AUSTRAL ECOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nayara G. Cruz
- Laboratório de Interações Ecológicas; Departamento de Ecologia; Universidade Federal de Sergipe; São Cristóvão SE 49100-000 Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação; Universidade Federal de Sergipe; São Cristóvão SE Brazil
| | - Camilla S. Almeida
- Laboratório de Interações Ecológicas; Departamento de Ecologia; Universidade Federal de Sergipe; São Cristóvão SE 49100-000 Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação; Universidade Federal de Sergipe; São Cristóvão SE Brazil
| | - Leandro Bacci
- Departamento de Engenharia Agronômica; Universidade Federal de Sergipe; São Cristóvão SE Brazil
| | - Paulo F. Cristaldo
- Laboratório de Interações Ecológicas; Departamento de Ecologia; Universidade Federal de Sergipe; São Cristóvão SE 49100-000 Brazil
| | - Alisson S. Santana
- Departamento de Engenharia Agronômica; Universidade Federal de Sergipe; São Cristóvão SE Brazil
| | - Alexandre P. Oliveira
- Departamento de Engenharia Agronômica; Universidade Federal de Sergipe; São Cristóvão SE Brazil
| | - Efrem J. M. Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Interações Ecológicas; Departamento de Ecologia; Universidade Federal de Sergipe; São Cristóvão SE 49100-000 Brazil
| | - Ana P. A. Araújo
- Laboratório de Interações Ecológicas; Departamento de Ecologia; Universidade Federal de Sergipe; São Cristóvão SE 49100-000 Brazil
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Leles B, Xiao X, Pasion BO, Nakamura A, Tomlinson KW. Does plant diversity increase top-down control of herbivorous insects in tropical forest? OIKOS 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.03562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Leles
- Program for Field Studies in Tropical Asia, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Mengla; Yunnan PR China
| | - Xue Xiao
- Program for Field Studies in Tropical Asia, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Mengla; Yunnan PR China
| | - Bonifacio O. Pasion
- Program for Field Studies in Tropical Asia, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Mengla; Yunnan PR China
- Dept of Biology; Univ. of Naples FredericoII; IT-80126 Naples Italy
- Univ. of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing PR China
| | - Akihiro Nakamura
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Mengla; Yunnan PR China
| | - Kyle W. Tomlinson
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Mengla; Yunnan PR China
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