1
|
Brullo S, Brullo C, Cambria S, Tomaselli V, Crisafulli A, Siracusa G, Minissale P, del Galdo GG. Taxonomic and ecological remarks on Solenopsisbivonae species complex (Campanulaceae). PhytoKeys 2023; 229:77-111. [PMID: 37485008 PMCID: PMC10359918 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.229.104324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
The populations usually attributed to Solenopsisbivonae (Tineo) M.B.Crespo, Serra & A.Juan are investigated from a taxonomical and morphological viewpoint. Within this species complex, four new subspecies occurring in Sicily and Calabria are recognized, such as subsp. bivonae, subsp. madoniarum, subsp. peloritana and subsp. brutia. In addition, a new species from Cyprus described as S.meikleana and S.bacchettae from Sardinia must be included in this group. The synonymy, typification, description, seed testa morphology, chorology, ecology, illustrations, conservation status, and examined specimens for each taxon are provided. Besides, the analytical keys, distribution maps, and phytosociological arrangement regarding these taxa are given too.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Brullo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali, Università di Catania, via A. Longo 19, Catania, ItalyUniversità di CataniaCataniaItaly
| | - Cristian Brullo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali, Università di Catania, via A. Longo 19, Catania, ItalyUniversità di CataniaCataniaItaly
| | - Salvatore Cambria
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali, Università di Catania, via A. Longo 19, Catania, ItalyUniversità di CataniaCataniaItaly
| | - Valeria Tomaselli
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Bari Aldo Moro, via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, ItalyUniversità di Bari Aldo MoroBariItaly
| | - Alessandro Crisafulli
- Dipartimento ChiBioFarAm, Università degli Studi di Messina, Via Stagno d’Alcontres, 98100 Messina, ItalyUniversità degli Studi di MessinaMessinaItaly
| | - Giuseppe Siracusa
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali, Università di Catania, via A. Longo 19, Catania, ItalyUniversità di CataniaCataniaItaly
| | - Pietro Minissale
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali, Università di Catania, via A. Longo 19, Catania, ItalyUniversità di CataniaCataniaItaly
| | - Gianpietro Giusso del Galdo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali, Università di Catania, via A. Longo 19, Catania, ItalyUniversità di CataniaCataniaItaly
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sakamoto H, Goka K. Efficiency of ant-control agents in colony-level oral toxicity tests using Tetramorium tsushimae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) for post-establishment control of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Appl Entomol Zool 2022; 58:25-33. [PMID: 36245437 PMCID: PMC9547751 DOI: 10.1007/s13355-022-00800-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) causes serious damage worldwide as an invasive alien species. The species has expanded its range to the Pacific Rim since 2000s and Japan has faced its multiple introductions since 2017. While colony-level control methods are urgently needed, testing living colonies of the unestablished species is challenging especially due to various restrictions under the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we proposed alternative long-term toxicity assays using artificial colonies of Tetramorium tsushimae Emery (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), a Japanese native species belonging to the same subfamily (Myrmicinae) as S. invicta. We conducted an acute toxicity test to determine if T. tsushimae is a suitable substitute for S. invicta using fipronil and found the LD50 value in T. tsushimae was close to that in S. invicta. Then, we conducted the long-term toxicity test with fipronil and two insect growth regulators (pyriproxyfen and etoxazole) using artificial colonies of T. tsushimae. All workers and larvae in the fipronil-treated colonies died within 3 days of treatment initiation. Emergence of new workers was observed after 18 days in the etoxazole-treated and control colonies, but not in the pyriproxyfen-treated colonies. We concluded that fipronil was the most promising insecticide for post-establishment control, and pyriproxyfen was effective as a toxic-bait agent for colony-level control. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13355-022-00800-x.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Sakamoto
- Biodiversity Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa 16-2, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0053 Japan
| | - Koichi Goka
- Biodiversity Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa 16-2, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0053 Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shah JS, Renthal R. Antennal Proteome of the Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Caste Differences in Olfactory Receptors and Chemosensory Support Proteins. J Insect Sci 2020; 20:5937575. [PMID: 33098433 PMCID: PMC7585320 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieaa118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the expression pattern of odorant and pheromone transporters, receptors, and deactivation enzymes in the antennae of ants carrying out different tasks. In order to begin filling in this information gap, we compared the proteomes of the antennae of workers and males of the red fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Male ants do not perform any colony work, and their only activity is to leave the nest on a mating flight. Previous studies showed that male ants express fewer types of odorant receptors than workers. Thus, we expected to find large differences between male and worker antennae for expression of receptors, transporters, and deactivators of signaling chemicals. We found that the abundance of receptors was consistent with the expected caste-specific signaling complexity, but the numbers of different antenna-specific transporters and deactivating enzymes in males and workers were similar. It is possible that some of these proteins have antenna-specific functions that are unrelated to chemosensory reception. Alternatively, the similar complexity could be a vestige of ant progenitors that had more behaviorally active males. As the reduced behavior of male ants evolved, the selection process may have favored a complex repertoire of transporters and deactivating enzymes alongside a limited repertoire of odorant receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaee Shailesh Shah
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Robert Renthal
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Xu M, Lu Z, Lu YY, Balusu RR, Ajayi OS, Fadamiro HY, Appel AG, Chen L. Cuticular hydrocarbon chemistry, an important factor shaping the current distribution pattern of the imported fire ants in the USA. J Insect Physiol 2018; 110:34-43. [PMID: 30130492 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2018.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Two sibling species, Solenopsis richteri and S. invicta, were both introduced into the southern USA from South America in the early 20th century. Today, S. richteri occupies higher latitudes and colder areas, while S. invicta occupies lower latitudes. Between the distributions of the two species, there is a large area of viable hybrid (S. richteri × S. invicta) populations. This study aimed to characterize the forces driving this distribution pattern and the underlying mechanisms. Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) of freshly killed workers of S. invicta, hybrids, and S. richteri were removed using hexane. Both intact and CHCs-extracted workers were subjected to a constant rate of increasing temperature from 10 to 60 °C to obtain relative water loss and the water loss transition temperature (Tc-ant). Mass loss and Tc-ant were both significantly increased with CHCs removal. We then examined the CHC composition of three species. CHC profiles of S. richteri are characterized by significant amounts of short-chain (C23-C27) saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. In contrast, profiles of S. invicta consist primarily of long-chain (C27-C29) saturated hydrocarbons; unsaturated alkenes are completely lacking. Hybrid fire ants show intermediate profiles of the two parent species. We measured the melting point (Tm) and water-loss transition temperature of CHC blends (Tc-CHC) of different ant species colonies using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and an artificial membrane system, respectively. There were 3-5 Tms of each CHCs sample of different ant colonies due to their complex chemistry. The highest Tms (Tm-maxs) of CHCs samples from S. invicta and the hybrid were significantly higher than that from S. richteri. The correlation between Tc-CHC and Tm-max obtained from the same CHCs sample was highly significant. These results reveal that species having higher Tc and Tm-max retain more water under relatively higher temperature, and consequently are able to occupy warmer environments. We conclude that CHC chemistry plays a role in shaping current distribution patterns of S. richteri, S. invicta and their hybrid in the United States.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - ZeKuan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - Yong-Yue Lu
- Red Imported Fire Ant Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - Rammohan R Balusu
- Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Olufemi S Ajayi
- Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Henry Y Fadamiro
- Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Arthur G Appel
- Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
| | - Li Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
Many familiar Hymenoptera are brightly colored and can sting painfully-thus, their threat and clinical importance may be exaggerated. Most stinging insects only sting to defend themselves or their colonies from predators. The clinical nature of Hymenoptera envenomations contrasts that of other venomous animals, including other arthropods, primarily because allergic reaction, not direct intoxication, is the usual main concern. This review focuses mainly on the clinical features of direct toxicity to Hymenoptera envenomations, which can induce a high incidence of acute renal failure, liver failure, multiple organ failures, and death. Toxic mass envenomations by honeybees usually entail many hundreds or more stings per victim. In contrast to honeybee toxic envenomations, hornet sting envenomations can be clinically threatening with only 20-200 stings needed to cause kidney and other organ failures. Many lethal envenomations by honeybees occur in rural areas in the New World and Africa and are not recorded or documented. In contrast, deaths by hornets occur mainly to Asia. The most frequent and important envenomating taxa are honeybees, hornets, yellowjacket wasps, paper wasps, fire ants, and jack jumper ants. Occasional envenomating taxa include bumblebees, bullet ants, harvester ants, solitary wasps, solitary bees, and various ants of lesser clinical importance. Envenomations by Hymenoptera usually can be avoided if one considers that bees, wasps and ants "view" us as potential threats or predators, and that with information about the biology of stinging Hymenoptera, humans can minimize adverse incidents.
Collapse
|
6
|
Peral GT, Rutkowski T, Wojtaszyn G, Espadaler X. Myrmicinosporidium durum in Poland: a new location for this fungal ant endoparasite and updated world distribution. Acta Parasitol 2017; 62:875-879. [PMID: 29035866 DOI: 10.1515/ap-2017-0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Myrmicinosporidium durum is an enigmatic fungal parasite of ants with an unclear phylogeny and life cycle. Despite the fact that new records of this fungus have been revealed in the last few years; several countries from Eastern Europe still lack such information. With this study, we reveal the most northerly location of this fungus to date and its first record in Poland a contribution to filling the gaps in data about its European distribution. Additionally, we present an updated compilation of the world distribution of M. durum and its host ant species.
Collapse
|
7
|
Dégallier N, Mazur S, Tishechkin AK, Caterino MS. A revision of the genus Kaszabister Mazur (Histeridae, Histerinae, Exosternini). Zookeys 2012:71-89. [PMID: 22711996 PMCID: PMC3368282 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.199.3245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 05/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We revise the four species of Kaszabister Mazur, 1972, one of which, Kaszabister barrigaisp. n., is described as new. The other species in the genus are Kaszabister rubellus (Erichson, 1834), Kaszabister ferrugineus (Kirsch, 1873) and Kaszabister carinatus (Lewis, 1888). The species are principally known from the subtropics of South America, with one in Central America. Lectotypes are designated for Kaszabister rubellus and Kaszabister ferrugineus, and a key is provided for all the species. Ants of the genus Solenopsis Westwood, mainly Solenopsis invicta Buren and Solenopsis saevissima (Smith), are documented as hosts of three of the four species.
Collapse
|
8
|
Adams ES, Tschinkel WR. Spatial dynamics of colony interactions in young populations of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta. Oecologia 1995; 102:156-163. [PMID: 28306869 DOI: 10.1007/bf00333246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/1994] [Accepted: 12/09/1994] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Newly founded colonies of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta compete intensely by brood raids, which result in a rapid reduction of colony density. Experimental plantings of colonies and analyses of sequential maps were used to examine the importance of spatial pattern in the dynamics of young populations. Colony positions were initially clumped in naturally founded cohorts, but were regular in most mature populations. Incipient colonies planted in clumped patterns were more likely to engage in brood raids than colonies planted in regular hexagonal patterns at the same average density. However, contrary to what would be expected if local crowding increased mortality, no significant increases in spatial regularity were observed during brood raiding either in the experimentally planted populations or in a natural population of more than 1200 incipient colonies. These results show that it may be difficult to infer the degree of past or current competition by passive analysis of spatial data even when field experiments show that the probability of mortality depends on local spacing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E S Adams
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, 14627, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - W R Tschinkel
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 32306, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| |
Collapse
|