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Moore W, Scarparo G, Di Giulio A. Foe to frenemy: predacious ant nest beetles use multiple strategies to fully integrate into ant nests. Curr Opin Insect Sci 2022; 52:100921. [PMID: 35390506 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2022.100921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ant nest beetles (Carabidae, Paussinae, Paussini; Paussus) are renowned myrmecophiles, mostly known for their bizarre and diverse antennal shape. While little is known about their development, behavior and host range, we do know they spend most of their lives inside ant nests, feeding upon the hemolymph of ant brood and teneral workers. Recent findings suggest these beetles use a surprisingly complex strategy for interacting and deceiving ants. They have managed to break into multiple communication channels that ants use to recognize and communicate with one another in order to deceive the ants and profit from the rich resources of the nest. Mounting evidence from structural, chemical, acoustic, and behavioral studies support the hypothesis that Paussus is among the most highly integrated parasite of social insects known to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy Moore
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, 1140 E. South Campus Dr., Tucson, AZ 85721-0036, USA
| | - Giulia Scarparo
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Andrea Di Giulio
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy.
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2
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Naragon TH, Wagner JM, Parker J. Parallel evolutionary paths of rove beetle myrmecophiles: replaying a deep-time tape of life. Curr Opin Insect Sci 2022; 51:100903. [PMID: 35301166 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2022.100903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The rise of ants over the past ~100 million years reshaped the biosphere, presenting ecological challenges for many organisms, but also opportunities. No insect group has been so adept at exploiting niches inside ant colonies as the rove beetles (Staphylinidae) - a global clade of>64,000 predominantly free-living predators from which numerous socially parasitic 'myrmecophile' lineages have emerged. Myrmecophilous staphylinids are specialized for colony life through changes in behavior, chemistry, anatomy, and life history that are often strikingly convergent, and hence potentially adaptive for this symbiotic way of life. Here, we examine how the interplay between ecological pressures and molecular, cellular, and neurobiological mechanisms shape the evolutionary trajectories of symbiotic lineages in this ancient, convergent system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas H Naragon
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA, USA; Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Julian M Wagner
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Joseph Parker
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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3
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Stoldt M, Macit MN, Collin E, Foitzik S. Molecular (co)evolution of hymenopteran social parasites and their hosts. Curr Opin Insect Sci 2022; 50:100889. [PMID: 35181562 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2022.100889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Social parasitism describes a fascinating way of life in which species exploit the altruistic behaviour of closely related, social species. Social parasites have repeatedly evolved in the social Hymenoptera, including ants, bees, and wasps. The common ancestry and shared (social) environment with their hosts facilitates the study of molecular adaptations to the parasitic lifestyle. Moreover, when social parasites are widespread and virulent, they exert strong selection pressure on their hosts, leading to the evolution of defense mechanisms and triggering a coevolutionary arms race. Recent advances in sequencing technology now make it possible to study the molecular basis of this coevolutionary process. In addition to describing the latest developments, we highlight open research questions that could be tackled with genomic, transcriptomic, or epigenetic data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marah Stoldt
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Maide Nesibe Macit
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Erwann Collin
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Susanne Foitzik
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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4
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Tartally A, Szabó N, Somogyi AÁ, Báthori F, Haelewaters D, Mucsi A, Fürjes-Mikó Á, Nash DR. Ectoparasitic fungi of Myrmica ants alter the success of parasitic butterflies. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24031. [PMID: 34911991 PMCID: PMC8674344 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02800-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Exploitation of organisms by multiple parasite species is common in nature, but interactions among parasites have rarely been studied. Myrmica ants are rich in parasites. Among others, the ectoparasitic Rickia wasmannii fungus and the parasitic caterpillars of myrmecophilous Phengaris butterflies often infect the same Myrmica colonies. In this study, we examined the effects of R. wasmannii on the adoption, long-term development, and survival of P. alcon. In laboratory conditions, caterpillars introduced into nests of Myrmica scabrinodis uninfected with R. wasmannii survived significantly longer compared to caterpillars introduced into infected nests. In the field, joint infection was less common than expected if both parasites exploited M. scabrinodis colonies independently. Pre-pupal caterpillars of P. alcon were somewhat larger in nests infected with R. wasmannii than those found in uninfected nests. Based on these results it seems that R. wasmannii infection of M. scabrinodis affects the survival and development of P. alcon caterpillars, suggesting competition between these two ant parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- András Tartally
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - Norbert Szabó
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
- Juhász-Nagy Pál Doctoral School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Anna Ágnes Somogyi
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
- Juhász-Nagy Pál Doctoral School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
- Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Baross str. 13, 1088, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Báthori
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
- Juhász-Nagy Pál Doctoral School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
- Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány út 2-4, Vácrátót, Hungary, 2163
| | - Danny Haelewaters
- Research Group Mycology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | | | - Ágnes Fürjes-Mikó
- Department of Forest Protection, University of Sopron-Forest Research Institute, Hegyalja str. 18, 3232, Mátrafüred, Hungary
| | - David R Nash
- Centre for Social Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
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5
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Souza MLO, Oliveira RJ, Souza DJ, Samuels RI, Bragança MAL. Differential parasitism by four species of phorid flies when attacking three worker castes of the leaf-cutting ant Atta laevigata (Smith, 1858). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250973. [PMID: 33951103 PMCID: PMC8099092 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Certain species of parasitic flies belonging to the Phoridae are known to attack Atta spp. workers foraging along trails, near nest openings used by the ants to supply the colony with plant material, and in the areas where the ants are actively cutting plant material. However, there have been no previous studies of phorid parasitism of non-foraging worker ants, for example excavators and soldiers. Excavators can be found on the surface around specialized nest openings, carrying and dumping soil on characteristic mounds. Soldiers can be found on the trails protecting foragers or guarding the different types of nest openings. The current study was performed to investigate the differential parasitism rates of Atta laevigata (Smith, 1858) worker castes by four species of phorids. Ants of all castes on trails and at nest entrances were collect from 18 mature colonies in the field. A total of 21,254 ants were collected from trails and 14,649 collected from the mounds of loose soil near nest openings. The captured workers were maintained under controlled laboratory conditions to evaluate the rate of parasitism. Of the ants collected from trails, 1,112 (5.23%) were found to have been parasitized, of which 1,102 were foragers and only 10 were soldiers. Of the ants collected from the soil mounds near the nest openings, only 27 (0.18%) were found to have been parasitized, of those 25 were excavators and 2 were soldiers. When evaluating parasitism of ants on the trails, 46.2% were attacked by Apocephalus attophilus Borgmeier, 1928, 22.6% by Myrmosicarius grandicornis Borgmeier, 1928, 16.6% by Eibesfeldtphora erthali (Brown, 2001) and 14.6% by Apocephalus vicosae Disney, 2000. Only two species of phorid, M. grandicornis and E. erthali, were observed parasitizing excavators, whilst only E. erthali parasitized soldiers. This is the first time that Atta spp. excavators and soldiers have been shown to be parasitized by phorids. The low rates of parasitism and specificity of certain phorid species for excavators and soldiers is discussed in relation to the behavioral interactions of hosts and their parasitoids, as well as the relationship between host and parasitoid size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lucimar O. Souza
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciências e Tecnologia do Tocantins, Curso de Gestão em Agronegócio, Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil
| | - Rafael J. Oliveira
- Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Curso de Ciências Biológicas, Porto Nacional, Tocantins, Brazil
| | - Danival J. Souza
- Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Curso de Engenharia Florestal, Gurupi, Tocantins, Brazil
| | - Richard I. Samuels
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos A. L. Bragança
- Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Curso de Ciências Biológicas, Porto Nacional, Tocantins, Brazil
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6
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Fattorini S, Maurizi E, Di Giulio A. Interactional behaviors of the parasitic beetle Paussus favieri with its ant host Pheidole pallidula: the mimetic role of the acoustical signals. Insect Sci 2021; 28:548-554. [PMID: 32167206 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The social parasitic beetle Paussus favieri (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Paussini) performs different types of stridulations, which selectively mimic those emitted by different ant castes of its host Pheidole pallidula (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae). However, the significance of this acoustical mimicry for the success of the parasitic strategy and the behaviors elicited in the host ants by stridulations was unknown. We reared Paussus favieri in Pheidole pallidula colonies and filmed their interacting behaviors. We analyzed in slow motion the behavior of ants near a stridulating beetle. We analyzed separately trains of pulse (Pa + Pb, produced by repeated rubbings) and single pulse (Pc, produced by a single rubbing) of stridulations, clearly recognizable from the shaking up and down of the beetle hind legs, and associated them with different ant responses. The full repertoire of sounds produced by P. favieri elicited benevolent responses both in workers and soldiers. We found that different signals elicit different (sometimes multiple) behaviors in ants, with different frequency in the two ant castes. However, Pc (alone or in conjunction with other types of pulses) appears to be the type of acoustic signal mostly responsible for all recorded behaviors. These results indicate that the acoustic channel plays a pivotal role in the host-parasite interaction. Finding that a parasite uses the acoustical channel so intensively, and in such a complicated way to trigger ant behaviors, indicates that acoustic signals may be more important in ant societies than commonly recognized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Fattorini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Emanuela Maurizi
- Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA-DC), Florence, Italy
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7
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Stoldt M, Klein L, Beros S, Butter F, Jongepier E, Feldmeyer B, Foitzik S. Parasite Presence Induces Gene Expression Changes in an Ant Host Related to Immunity and Longevity. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:95. [PMID: 33451085 PMCID: PMC7828512 DOI: 10.3390/genes12010095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Most species are either parasites or exploited by parasites, making parasite-host interactions a driver of evolution. Parasites with complex life cycles often evolve strategies to facilitate transmission to the definitive host by manipulating their intermediate host. Such manipulations could explain phenotypic changes in the ant Temnothorax nylanderi, the intermediate host of the cestode Anomotaenia brevis. In addition to behavioral and morphological alterations, infected workers exhibit prolonged lifespans, comparable to that of queens, which live up to two decades. We used transcriptomic data from cestodes and ants of different castes and infection status to investigate the molecular underpinnings of phenotypic alterations in infected workers and explored whether the extended lifespan of queens and infected workers has a common molecular basis. Infected workers and queens commonly upregulated only six genes, one of them with a known anti-aging function. Both groups overexpressed immune genes, although not the same ones. Our findings suggest that the lifespan extension of infected workers is not achieved via the expression of queen-specific genes. The analysis of the cestodes' transcriptome revealed dominant expression of genes of the mitochondrial respiratory transport chain, which indicates an active metabolism and shedding light on the physiology of the parasite in its cysticercoid stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marah Stoldt
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (L.K.); (S.F.)
| | - Linda Klein
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (L.K.); (S.F.)
| | - Sara Beros
- Max Planck Institute for the Biology of Ageing, 50931 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Falk Butter
- Institute for Molecular Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Evelien Jongepier
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany;
| | - Barbara Feldmeyer
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center (SBiK-F), Molecular Ecology, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany;
| | - Susanne Foitzik
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (L.K.); (S.F.)
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8
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Abstract
Ants have been shown to engage in symbiosis across the tree of life, although our knowledge is far from complete. These interactions range from mutualistic to parasitic with several instances of manipulation of host behavior. Nutrient contributions in these symbioses include both farming for food and nitrogen recycling by gut-associated microbes. Interestingly, the ants that are mostly likely to host diverse and likely functional gut microbial communities are those that feed on extreme diets. Although we do see many instances of symbiosis between ants and microbes, there are also examples of species without a functional gut microbiome. Symbiosis among microbes and eukaryotic hosts is common and often considered a hallmark of multicellular evolution [1]. This is true among many of the over 13000 species of ants, although symbiosis between ants and microbes are not ubiquitous. These microbial-ant symbiotic interactions span the tree of life and include microbial eukaryotes, fungi, viruses, and bacteria. These interactions range from pathogenic to mutualistic, with many relationships still not well understood. Although our knowledge of the diversity of these microbes in ants is growing rapidly, and in some cases we know the function and interaction with the host, we still have much to learn about - the little things that run the little things that run the world!
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrie S Moreau
- Cornell University, Departments of Entomology and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, 129 Garden Avenue, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA.
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Elizalde L, Treanor D, Pamminger T, Hughes WOH. Immunity of leaf-cutting ants and its role in host-parasitoid relationships. J Insect Physiol 2019; 116:49-56. [PMID: 31015014 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2019.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Parasites are an important selection pressure for all organisms, and host immune responses are key in shaping host-parasite interactions. Host species with strong immune defences may be expected to experience lower parasitism; on the other hand, investment in immune function is costly, so hosts that have evolved to invest more in immune defence may be expected to have been under greater selection pressure from parasites. Disentangling the coevolutionary dynamics requires comparative studies that quantify the immune responses of potential hosts of parasites in a community, but such studies are rare. Here, we studied the immune defences of six leaf-cutting ant species in a community for which their relationships with phorid fly parasitoid species are known. We tested whether the strength of the baseline immune defences of the different ant species correlated positively or negatively with parasitoid load (number and abundance of parasitoid species exploiting the ant species), and host specialization of parasitoid species (the proportion of specialist parasitoids using each host). We measured four immune variables: i) the encapsulation response to a standard challenge, levels of ii) phenoloxidase (PO) and iii) prophenoloxidae (PPO) immune enzymes, and iv) the number of haemocytes. We found that ant species differed in their encapsulation response, PO levels and number of haemocytes, and that there was a positive, not negative, correlation across ant species between the strength of several of the immune variables and parasitoid load, but not for host specialization. This is in keeping with the hypothesis that higher parasitoid load selects for greater investment in immune defences. Our results suggest that immunity may be an important factor accounting for the dynamics of host-parasitoid interactions in this community. Similar community-level studies may be insightful, both for understanding host-parasite community ecology and for applications such as biocontrol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Elizalde
- Laboratorio Ecotono, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Pasaje Gutiérrez N° 1125, Bariloche 8400, Argentina.
| | - David Treanor
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, United Kingdom
| | - Tobias Pamminger
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, United Kingdom
| | - William O H Hughes
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, United Kingdom
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Pérez-Lachaud G, Klompen H, Poteaux C, Santamaría C, Armbrecht I, Beugnon G, Lachaud JP. Context dependent life-history shift in Macrodinychus sellnicki mites attacking a native ant host in Colombia. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8394. [PMID: 31182745 PMCID: PMC6557818 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44791-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ant parasitoidism has been reported in seven of the 26 recognized species of the mite genus Macrodinychus (Machrodynichidae). Macrodynichus sellnicki, previously reported as a parasitoid of the invasive ant Nylanderia fulva in Colombia, is now reported, in the same region, as attacking a native host, Ectatomma sp. 2 (E. ruidum complex). The mite develops within the protective silk cocoon of an Ectatomma pupa and waits for the emergence of the young ant before leaving the cocoon, unmolested. Overall nest prevalence was relatively high (34.6% of the 52 nests containing cocoons) but pupae prevalence was low (4.0%, n = 1401 cocoons). Mite life-history (parasite or parasitoid) was context dependent, shifting according to the intensity of the attack on a same host. Contrary to the strictly parasitoidic association of M. sellnicki with N. fulva, single mite attacks against E. ruidum did not result in host killing and solitary M. sellnicki (78.6% of the cases) behaved as parasites. However, in 21.4% of the attacks (0.9% of all available host pupae) more than one mite was involved and behaved as parasitoids, draining the host of its internal fluids and killing it. This is the first association of a macrodinychid mite with a species of the subfamily Ectatomminae, and the first ant associated mite for which such a context dependent life-style shift is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Pérez-Lachaud
- Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Chetumal, 77014, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Hans Klompen
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43212, USA
| | - Chantal Poteaux
- Laboratoire d'Éthologie Expérimentale et Comparée, EA 4443, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 93430, Villetaneuse, France
| | - Carlos Santamaría
- Departamento de Biología, Grupo GEAHNA, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Inge Armbrecht
- Departamento de Biología, Grupo GEAHNA, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Guy Beugnon
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Université de Toulouse UPS, CNRS-UMR5169, UPS, 31062, Toulouse, Cedex 09, France
| | - Jean-Paul Lachaud
- Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Chetumal, 77014, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Université de Toulouse UPS, CNRS-UMR5169, UPS, 31062, Toulouse, Cedex 09, France.
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11
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Tartally A, Thomas JA, Anton C, Balletto E, Barbero F, Bonelli S, Bräu M, Casacci LP, Csősz S, Czekes Z, Dolek M, Dziekańska I, Elmes G, Fürst MA, Glinka U, Hochberg ME, Höttinger H, Hula V, Maes D, Munguira ML, Musche M, Nielsen PS, Nowicki P, Oliveira PS, Peregovits L, Ritter S, Schlick-Steiner BC, Settele J, Sielezniew M, Simcox DJ, Stankiewicz AM, Steiner FM, Švitra G, Ugelvig LV, Van Dyck H, Varga Z, Witek M, Woyciechowski M, Wynhoff I, Nash DR. Patterns of host use by brood parasitic Maculinea butterflies across Europe. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 374:20180202. [PMID: 30967080 PMCID: PMC6388033 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The range of hosts exploited by a parasite is determined by several factors, including host availability, infectivity and exploitability. Each of these can be the target of natural selection on both host and parasite, which will determine the local outcome of interactions, and potentially lead to coevolution. However, geographical variation in host use and specificity has rarely been investigated. Maculinea (= Phengaris) butterflies are brood parasites of Myrmica ants that are patchily distributed across the Palæarctic and have been studied extensively in Europe. Here, we review the published records of ant host use by the European Maculinea species, as well as providing new host ant records for more than 100 sites across Europe. This comprehensive survey demonstrates that while all but one of the Myrmica species found on Maculinea sites have been recorded as hosts, the most common is often disproportionately highly exploited. Host sharing and host switching are both relatively common, but there is evidence of specialization at many sites, which varies among Maculinea species. We show that most Maculinea display the features expected for coevolution to occur in a geographic mosaic, which has probably allowed these rare butterflies to persist in Europe. This article is part of the theme issue 'The coevolutionary biology of brood parasitism: from mechanism to pattern'.
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Affiliation(s)
- András Tartally
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1 Hungary
- Centre for Social Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Christian Anton
- Department of Community Ecology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Emilio Balletto
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin 10123, Italy
| | - Francesca Barbero
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin 10123, Italy
| | - Simona Bonelli
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin 10123, Italy
| | | | - Luca Pietro Casacci
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin 10123, Italy
- Laboratory of Social and Myrmecophilous Insects, Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wilcza 64, 00-679 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Sándor Csősz
- MTA-ELTE-MTM Ecology Research Group, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, Budapest, H1117, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Czekes
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Clinicilor St 5–7, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Matthias Dolek
- Büro Geyer und Dolek, Alpenblick 12, 82237 Wörthsee, Germany
| | - Izabela Dziekańska
- Institute of Biology, University of Bialystok, Ciołkowskiego 1 J, 15-245 Białystok, Poland
| | - Graham Elmes
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology Wallingford, Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford OX10 8BB, UK
| | - Matthias A. Fürst
- Centre for Social Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Uta Glinka
- Department of Community Ecology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Michael E. Hochberg
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution – CNRS UMR 5554, Université de Montpellier – CC 065, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 05, France Cedex 05, France
| | - Helmut Höttinger
- Institute of Zoology, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Live Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Vladimir Hula
- Department of Zoology, Hydrobiology, Fishery and Apiculture, Faculty of AgriScience, Mendel University Brno, Zemedelska 1, Brno 61300, Czech Republic
| | - Dirk Maes
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Herman Teirlinckgebouw, Havenlaan 88 bus 73, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Miguel L. Munguira
- Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología (Zoología), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Martin Musche
- Department of Community Ecology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | | | - Piotr Nowicki
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Paula S. Oliveira
- Department of Forest Science and Landscape, Center for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB)/University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-911 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - László Peregovits
- Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, 1088 Budapest Baross u. 13., Hungary
| | - Sylvia Ritter
- Department of Community Ecology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Birgit C. Schlick-Steiner
- Molecular Ecology Group, Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Josef Settele
- Department of Community Ecology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marcin Sielezniew
- Institute of Biology, University of Bialystok, Ciołkowskiego 1 J, 15-245 Białystok, Poland
| | - David J. Simcox
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology Wallingford, Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford OX10 8BB, UK
| | - Anna M. Stankiewicz
- Laboratory of Social and Myrmecophilous Insects, Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wilcza 64, 00-679 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Florian M. Steiner
- Molecular Ecology Group, Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Giedrius Švitra
- Lithuanian Entomological Society, Akademijos 2, 08412 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Line V. Ugelvig
- Centre for Social Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hans Van Dyck
- Behavioural Ecology and Conservation Group, Biodiversity Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Zoltán Varga
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1 Hungary
| | - Magdalena Witek
- Laboratory of Social and Myrmecophilous Insects, Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wilcza 64, 00-679 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Michal Woyciechowski
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Irma Wynhoff
- Dutch Butterfly Conservation and Butterfly Conservation Europe, PO Box 506, 6700 AM Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - David R. Nash
- Centre for Social Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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12
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Pulliainen U, Helanterä H, Sundström L, Schultner E. The possible role of ant larvae in the defence against social parasites. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20182867. [PMID: 30836870 PMCID: PMC6458323 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporary social parasite ant queens initiate new colonies by entering colonies of host species, where they begin laying eggs. As the resident queen can be killed during this process, host colonies may lose their entire future reproductive output. Selection thus favours the evolution of defence mechanisms, before and after parasite intrusion. Most studies on social parasites focus on host worker discrimination of parasite queens and their offspring. However, ant larvae can also influence brood composition by consuming eggs. This raises the question whether host larvae can aid in preventing colony takeover by consuming eggs laid by parasite queens. To test whether larvae could play a role in anti-parasite defence, we compared the rates at which larvae of a common host species, Formica fusca, consumed eggs laid by social parasite, non-parasite, nest-mate, or conspecific non-nest-mate queens. Larvae consumed social parasite eggs more than eggs laid by a heterospecific non-parasite queen, irrespective of the chemical distance between the egg cuticular profiles. Also, larvae consumed eggs laid by conspecific non-nest-mate queens more than those laid by nest-mate queens. Our study suggests that larvae may act as players in colony defence against social parasitism, and that social parasitism is a key factor shaping discrimination behaviour in ants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Unni Pulliainen
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Tvärminne Zoological Station, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Heikki Helanterä
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Tvärminne Zoological Station, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, Faculty of Science, University of Oulu, Finland
| | - Liselotte Sundström
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Tvärminne Zoological Station, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eva Schultner
- Institut für Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie, Biologie I, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Arruda FV, Teresa FB, Martins HC, Pesquero MA, Bragança MAL. Seasonal and Site Differences in Phorid Parasitoidism Rates of Leaf-Cutting Ants. Environ Entomol 2019; 48:61-67. [PMID: 30517640 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvy166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Interspecific interactions are influenced by several environmental factors that may affect spatial and temporal dynamics. Seasonal variations in environmental conditions and differences among sites may affect the intensity of interactions and the abundance of interacting species. In this study, we describe the variability in parasitoids of Atta ants among sites and seasons over a year. More specifically, we studied parasitoidism of Atta sexdens Linnaeus and Atta laevigata Smith nests at a site with native cerrado vegetation and a Eucalyptus monoculture in dry and rainy seasons. Of the 45,147 workers collected, 1,020 (2.2%) were parasitized. We found five parasitoid species of A. sexdens and four species of A. laevigata. The two species of leaf-cutting ants shared similar parasitoid communities, but the infection rate was higher in A. laevigata (5.3%) compared with A. sexdens (0.8%). Parasitoidism rates of A. laevigata increased in the rainy season, but the rate for A. sexdens was consistently low in both seasons. The identity of the host species and the season, therefore, appear to interact to influence the rate of parasitoidism in these leaf-cutting ant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe V Arruda
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade, Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Porto Nacional, Brazil
- Campus de Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Fabrício Barreto Teresa
- Campus de Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Hendria C Martins
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa, MG, Brazil
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14
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Farder-Gomes CF, da Silva VP, Pereira TPL, Serrão JE, Pires EM, Oliveira MA. Parasitism, sexual dimorphism and effect of host size on Apocephalus attophilus offspring, a parasitoid of the leaf-cutting ant Atta bisphaerica. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0208253. [PMID: 30507956 PMCID: PMC6277103 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Atta bisphaerica (Forel) is a leaf-cutting ant that specializes on grass and causes productivity losses in sugar cane fields and pastures. Three phorid species, Apocephalus attophilus (Borgmeier), Myrmosicarius grandicornis (Borgmeier) and Eibesfeldtphora bragancai (Brown), have been found parasitizing A. bisphaerica workers. These parasitoids can reduce plant material transported into the nests and ant traffic on the trails. Therefore, phorid flies have been considered potential biological control agents for leaf-cutting ants. Here, we evaluated which parasitoid species attack the leaf-cutting ant A. bisphaerica in pasture areas of a Brazilian Savannah-Atlantic Forest ecotone, parasitism rate, effect of host size, sexual dimorphism and sex ratio of the emerged parasitoids. Four nests of A. bisphaerica were selected in pasture areas from August 2016 to August 2017, with 400 workers collected from each colony monthly. A total of 23,714 A. bisphaerica workers were collected during the study, of which 236 (0.99%) were parasitized by phorid parasitoids. Apocephalus attophilus, E. bragancai and M. grandicornis parasitized 217, 17 and 2 ants, respectively. The higher parasitism rate was found in the hottest/rainy season of the year. Non-parasitized ants survived longer than those parasitized by A. attophilus. The larval and pupal periods of this parasitoid were 2.2 ± 0.8 and 16 ± 1.4 days, respectively, and the number of pupae per parasitized ant ranged from 1 to 7. The number of A. attophilus pupae per host increased with the host head size. Likewise, the size of the adult parasitoids also increased according to the host ant. Apocephalus attophilus females were larger than males and the sex ratio (male: female) did not differ from 1: 1. Our results showed that A. attophilus would be a potential biocontrol agent of leaf-cutting ants because it produces multiple larvae per host, allowing a great production of parasitoids with short developmental time and kills the host ant faster than other phorids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Verônica Priscila da Silva
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Viçosa Campus Florestal, Florestal, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - José Eduardo Serrão
- Departament of Entomology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Evaldo Martins Pires
- Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso Campus Sinop, Sinop, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Marco Antonio Oliveira
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Viçosa Campus Florestal, Florestal, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Alleman A, Feldmeyer B, Foitzik S. Comparative analyses of co-evolving host-parasite associations reveal unique gene expression patterns underlying slavemaker raiding and host defensive phenotypes. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1951. [PMID: 29386535 PMCID: PMC5792630 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20262-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The transition to parasitism is a drastic shift in lifestyle, involving rapid changes in gene structure, function, and expression. After the establishment of antagonistic relationships, parasites and hosts co-evolve through reciprocal adaptations, often resulting in evolutionary arms-races. Repeated evolution of social parasitism and slavery among Temnothorax ants allows us to examine those gene expression patterns that characterize slavemaker raiding and reciprocal host defensive phenotypes. Previous behavioural studies have established that raiding strategies between Temnothorax slavemakers diverge, while host defense portfolios shift similarly under parasite pressure. We are the first to confirm this at the molecular level, revealing that slavemaking species exhibit a wider variety of genes with species-specific patterns of expression within their raiding phenotypes, whereas expression similarity is commonly found during the non-raiding phenotype. Host species response to slavemaker aggression, however, is indicated by strong changes in the expression of a relatively few number genes. Additionally, the expression of individual genes such as Acyl-CoA-Delta(11) desaturase and Trypsin-7 is strongly associated with the raiding phenotype of all three slavemaking species. Here, we provide novel insight into the gene expression patterns associated with raiding and nest defense behavior in Temnothorax ants, suggesting lineage-specific evolutionary patterns among both slavemakers and hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin Alleman
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Johannes von Müller Weg 6, Mainz, 55128, Germany.
| | - Barbara Feldmeyer
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susanne Foitzik
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Johannes von Müller Weg 6, Mainz, 55128, Germany
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Abstract
Human commerce has resulted in the spread of the imported fire ants, Solenopsis species, worldwide. Six species of parasitic Pseudacteon phorid flies that are highly host specific to the Solenopsis saevissima complex of Solenopsis fire ants have been successfully released in the southern United States. The presence of Pseudacteon phorid flies, in addition to having direct mortality effects on their host ants, modifies foraging behavior and disrupts interspecific competition between host species and other ant species in the community. Fire ant workers have evolved effective methods to cope with parasitism pressure, which may relieve population-level impacts of introduced phorid flies. This review focuses on the mechanisms underlying host location, host preference, and host-size selection of Pseudacteon phorid flies and highlights their direct and indirect effects on fire ant populations. Knowledge gained from parasitoid-ant interactions will enhance use of natural enemies as biological control agents for invasive social insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China;
| | - Henry Y Fadamiro
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849;
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de Bekker C, Will I, Hughes DP, Brachmann A, Merrow M. Daily rhythms and enrichment patterns in the transcriptome of the behavior-manipulating parasite Ophiocordyceps kimflemingiae. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187170. [PMID: 29099875 PMCID: PMC5669440 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Various parasite-host interactions that involve adaptive manipulation of host behavior display time-of-day synchronization of certain events. One example is the manipulated biting behavior observed in Carpenter ants infected with Ophiocordyceps unilateralis sensu lato. We hypothesized that biological clocks play an important role in this and other parasite-host interactions. In order to identify candidate molecular clock components, we used two general strategies: bioinformatics and transcriptional profiling. The bioinformatics approach was used to identify putative homologs of known clock genes. For transcriptional profiling, RNA-Seq was performed on 48 h time courses of Ophiocordyceps kimflemingiae (a recently named species of the O. unilateralis complex), whose genome has recently been sequenced. Fungal blastospores were entrained in liquid media under 24 h light-dark (LD) cycles and were harvested at 4 h intervals either under LD or continuous darkness. Of all O. kimflemingiae genes, 5.3% had rhythmic mRNAs under these conditions (JTK Cycle, ≤ 0.057 statistical cutoff). Our data further indicates that a significant number of transcription factors have a peaked activity during the light phase (day time). The expression levels of a significant number of secreted enzymes, proteases, toxins and small bioactive compounds peaked during the dark phase or subjective night. These findings support a model whereby this fungal parasite uses its biological clock for phase-specific activity. We further suggest that this may be a general mechanism involved in parasite-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charissa de Bekker
- University of Central Florida, Department of Biology, Orlando, Florida, United States of America
- LMU Munich, Institute of Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Munich, Germany
- LMU Munich, Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Ian Will
- University of Central Florida, Department of Biology, Orlando, Florida, United States of America
- LMU Munich, Institute of Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - David P. Hughes
- Pennsylvania State University, Departments of Biology and Entomology, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Andreas Brachmann
- LMU Munich, Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Martha Merrow
- LMU Munich, Institute of Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Munich, Germany
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18
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Pérez-Lachaud G, Lachaud JP. Hidden biodiversity in entomological collections: The overlooked co-occurrence of dipteran and hymenopteran ant parasitoids in stored biological material. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184614. [PMID: 28926617 PMCID: PMC5604966 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological collections around the world are the repository of biodiversity on Earth; they also hold a large quantity of unsorted, unidentified, or misidentified material and can house behavioral information on species that are difficult to access or no longer available to science. Among the unsorted, alcohol-preserved material stored in the Formicidae Collection of the 'El Colegio de la Frontera Sur' Research Center (Chetumal, Mexico), we found nine colonies of the ponerine ant Neoponera villosa, that had been collected in bromeliads at Calakmul (Campeche, Mexico) in 1999. Ants and their brood were revised for the presence of any sign of parasitism. Cocoons were dissected and their content examined under a stereomicroscope. Six N. villosa prepupae had been attacked by the ectoparasitoid syrphid fly Hypselosyrphus trigonus Hull (Syrphidae: Microdontinae), to date the only known dipteran species of the Microdontinae with a parasitoid lifestyle. In addition, six male pupae from three colonies contained gregarious endoparasitoid wasps. These were specialized in parasitizing this specific host caste as no gyne or worker pupae displayed signs of having been attacked. Only immature stages (larvae and pupae) of the wasp could be obtained. Due to the long storage period, DNA amplification failed; however, based on biological and morphological data, pupae were placed in the Encyrtidae family. This is the first record of an encyrtid wasp parasitizing N. villosa, and the second example of an encyrtid as a primary parasitoid of ants. Furthermore, it is also the first record of co-occurrence of a dipteran ectoparasitoid and a hymenopteran endoparasitoid living in sympatry within the same population of host ants. Our findings highlight the importance of biological collections as reservoirs of hidden biodiversity, not only at the taxonomic level, but also at the behavioral level, revealing complex living networks. They also highlight the need for funding in order to carry out biodiversity inventories and manage existing collections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Pérez-Lachaud
- Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Jean-Paul Lachaud
- Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Université de Toulouse UPS, Toulouse, France
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19
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Farder-Gomes CF, Oliveira MA, Gonçalves PL, Gontijo LM, Zanuncio JC, Bragança MAL, Pires EM. Reproductive ecology of phorid parasitoids in relation to the head size of leaf-cutting ants Atta sexdens Forel. Bull Entomol Res 2017; 107:487-492. [PMID: 27903323 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485316001073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is one of the most damaging agricultural pests in the Neotropics. Management strategies predominantly rely on the use of general insecticides. What is needed are more species-specific and environmentally friendly options. Parasitioids such as phorid flies (Diptera: Phoridae) may be one such option, but a greater understanding of the ecology of the flies and their ant hosts is essential to devise biological control strategies. Here we report parasitism rates, ant host size, parasitoid abundance per host and resultant sex ratios of two phorid species Apocephalus attophilus Borgmeier and Eibesfeldtphora tonhascai Brown parasitizing A.sexdens. The two species achieved parasitism rates of 1.48 and 1.46%, respectively and the pupal period was 14.7 ± 1.1 days and 22.1 ± 2.8 days, respectively. There was no significant difference between the head capsule width of ants parasitized by either A. attophilus or E. tonhascai. Likewise, there was no significant effect between the head capsule width of parasitized and unparasitized ants for both species. A significant positive correlation was found between the head capsule width of the parasitized ants and the number of adult parasitoids A. attophilus emerged. Ants parasitized by E. tonhascai survived significantly longer than those parasitized by A. attophilus. There was no significant effect of ant head width on the sex ratio of the offspring of either parasitoid species and no significant difference in the sex ratio (male: female) of their offspring. In summary, these data addressed here are important steps when considering natural enemies for biological control. Studying survival of the parasitized ants, parasitoid offspring sex ratio and host size preference allows for a better understanding of ant natural biological control in the field and can help in rearing of A. attophilus and E. tonhascai in laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- C F Farder-Gomes
- Departamento de Biologia Animal,Universidade Federal de Viçosa,Viçosa,Minas Gerais,Brasil
| | - M A Oliveira
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Viçosa,campusUFV Florestal,Florestal,Minas Gerais,Brasil
| | - P L Gonçalves
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Viçosa,campusUFV Florestal,Florestal,Minas Gerais,Brasil
| | - L M Gontijo
- Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de Viçosa,campusUFV Florestal,Florestal,Minas Gerais,Brasil
| | - J C Zanuncio
- Departamento de Biologia Animal,Universidade Federal de Viçosa,Viçosa,Minas Gerais,Brasil
| | - M A L Bragança
- Curso de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Tocantins,Porto Nacional,Tocantins,Brasil
| | - E M Pires
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso,campusSinop,Sinop,Mato Grosso,Brasil
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20
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Roux O, Vantaux A, Petitclerc F, Orivel J, Dejean A, Billen J. Structural adaptations and mechanism of reflex bleeding in the larvae of the myrmecophilous ladybird Diomus thoracicus. Arthropod Struct Dev 2017; 46:529-536. [PMID: 28669670 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2017.06.002] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Reflex bleeding is an effective defensive mechanism against predators. When attacked, some insects emit hemolymph, which coagulates, quickly entangling their aggressor. Bleeding occurs at weak intersegmental membranes or through dedicated organs, which can be associated or not with glandular cells. Here, we describe the behavior and morphological structures involved in reflex bleeding in the larvae of the ladybird, Diomus thoracicus, which are intranidal parasites of the ant Wasmannia auropunctata. The larvae are tolerated by the ants thanks to odor mimicry, but some rare aggressive ant behaviors were observed that trigger reflex bleeding both at a pair of thoracic tubercles and a pair of posterodorsal abdominal humps. No glandular structure was found in association with these emission points, which suggests that the material emitted was hemolymph only. A 3D reconstruction suggested that reflex bleeding seems to be controlled by muscles whose contraction increases the internal hydrostatic pressure and pushes the hemolymph into a funnel-like structure with an opening to the outside. In D. thoracicus, the morphological structures involved in reflex bleeding are among the most complex and prominent described to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Roux
- MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; IRSS, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso; CNRS, UMR Écologie des Forêts de Guyane, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, Campus agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou cedex, France.
| | - Amélie Vantaux
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Pasteur Institute in Cambodia, 5 Monivong Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Frédéric Petitclerc
- CNRS, UMR Écologie des Forêts de Guyane, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, Campus agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou cedex, France
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS, UMR Écologie des Forêts de Guyane, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, Campus agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou cedex, France
| | - Alain Dejean
- CNRS, UMR Écologie des Forêts de Guyane, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, Campus agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou cedex, France; Ecolab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Johan Billen
- KU Leuven, Zoological Institute, Naamsestraat 59, box 2466, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Csata E, Timuş N, Witek M, Casacci LP, Lucas C, Bagnères AG, Sztencel-Jabłonka A, Barbero F, Bonelli S, Rákosy L, Markó B. Lock-picks: fungal infection facilitates the intrusion of strangers into ant colonies. Sci Rep 2017; 7:46323. [PMID: 28402336 PMCID: PMC5389342 DOI: 10.1038/srep46323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies investigating host-parasite systems rarely deal with multispecies interactions, and mostly explore impacts on hosts as individuals. Much less is known about the effects at colony level, when parasitism involves host organisms that form societies. We surveyed the effect of an ectoparasitic fungus, Rickia wasmannii, on kin-discrimination abilities of its host ant, Myrmica scabrinodis, identifying potential consequences at social level and subsequent changes in colony infiltration success of other organisms. Analyses of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), known to be involved in insects' discrimination processes, revealed variations in chemical profiles correlated with the infection status of the ants, that could not be explained by genetic variation tested by microsatellites. In behavioural assays, fungus-infected workers were less aggressive towards both non-nestmates and unrelated queens, enhancing the probability of polygyny. Likewise, parasitic larvae of Maculinea butterflies had a higher chance of adoption by infected colonies. Our study indicates that pathogens can modify host recognition abilities, making the society more prone to accept both conspecific and allospecific organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enikő Csata
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Natalia Timuş
- Department of Taxonomy and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Magdalena Witek
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wilcza 64, 00-679, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Luca Pietro Casacci
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10023 Torino, Italy
| | - Christophe Lucas
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l’Insecte, UMR CNRS 7261, Université François Rabelais, 37200 Tours, France
| | - Anne-Geneviève Bagnères
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l’Insecte, UMR CNRS 7261, Université François Rabelais, 37200 Tours, France
| | - Anna Sztencel-Jabłonka
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wilcza 64, 00-679, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Francesca Barbero
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10023 Torino, Italy
| | - Simona Bonelli
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10023 Torino, Italy
| | - László Rákosy
- Department of Taxonomy and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Bálint Markó
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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22
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Abstract
Recent adaptive radiations provide striking examples of convergence [1-4], but the predictability of evolution over much deeper timescales is controversial, with a scarcity of ancient clades exhibiting repetitive patterns of phenotypic evolution [5, 6]. Army ants are ecologically dominant arthropod predators of the world's tropics, with large nomadic colonies housing diverse communities of socially parasitic myrmecophiles [7]. Remarkable among these are many species of rove beetle (Staphylinidae) that exhibit ant-mimicking "myrmecoid" body forms and are behaviorally accepted into their aggressive hosts' societies: emigrating with colonies and inhabiting temporary nest bivouacs, grooming and feeding with workers, but also consuming the brood [8-11]. Here, we demonstrate that myrmecoid rove beetles are strongly polyphyletic, with this adaptive morphological and behavioral syndrome having evolved at least 12 times during the evolution of a single staphylinid subfamily, Aleocharinae. Each independent myrmecoid clade is restricted to one zoogeographic region and highly host specific on a single army ant genus. Dating estimates reveal that myrmecoid clades are separated by substantial phylogenetic distances-as much as 105 million years. All such groups arose in parallel during the Cenozoic, when army ants diversified into modern genera [12] and rose to ecological dominance [13, 14]. This work uncovers a rare example of an ancient system of complex morphological and behavioral convergence, with replicate beetle lineages following a predictable phenotypic trajectory during their parasitic adaptation to host colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munetoshi Maruyama
- The Kyushu University Museum, Hakozaki 6-10-1, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan
| | - Joseph Parker
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University, 701 West 168(th) Street, New York, NY 10032, USA; Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA.
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von Beeren C, Maruyama M, Kronauer DJC. Community Sampling and Integrative Taxonomy Reveal New Species and Host Specificity in the Army Ant-Associated Beetle Genus Tetradonia (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae). PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165056. [PMID: 27829037 PMCID: PMC5102370 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Army ant colonies host a diverse community of arthropod symbionts. Among the best-studied symbiont communities are those of Neotropical army ants of the genus Eciton. It is clear, however, that even in these comparatively well studied systems, a large proportion of symbiont biodiversity remains unknown. Even more striking is our lack of knowledge regarding the nature and specificity of these host-symbiont interactions. Here we surveyed the diversity and host specificity of rove beetles of the genus Tetradonia Wasmann, 1894 (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae). Systematic community sampling of 58 colonies of the six local Eciton species at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica, combined with an integrative taxonomic approach, allowed us to uncover species diversity, host specificity, and co-occurrence patterns of symbionts in unprecedented detail. We used an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological and genetic analyses, to delineate species boundaries. Mitochondrial DNA barcodes were analyzed for 362 Tetradonia specimens, and additional nuclear markers for a subset of 88 specimens. All analyses supported the presence of five Tetradonia species, including two species new to science. Host specificity is highly variable across species, ranging from generalists such as T. laticeps, which parasitizes all six local Eciton species, to specialists such as T. lizonae, which primarily parasitizes a single species, E. hamatum. Here we provide a dichotomous key along with diagnostic molecular characters for identification of Tetradonia species at La Selva Biological Station. By reliably assessing biodiversity and providing tools for species identification, we hope to set the baseline for future studies of the ecological and evolutionary dynamics in these species-rich host-symbiont networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph von Beeren
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Ecological Networks, Technical University Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Daniel J. C. Kronauer
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, United States of America
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Ivens ABF, von Beeren C, Blüthgen N, Kronauer DJC. Studying the Complex Communities of Ants and Their Symbionts Using Ecological Network Analysis. Annu Rev Entomol 2016; 61:353-371. [PMID: 26982442 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-010715-023719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Ant colonies provide well-protected and resource-rich environments for a plethora of symbionts. Historically, most studies of ants and their symbionts have had a narrow taxonomic scope, often focusing on a single ant or symbiont species. Here we discuss the prospects of studying these assemblies in a community ecology context using the framework of ecological network analysis. We introduce three basic network metrics that we consider particularly relevant for improving our knowledge of ant-symbiont communities: interaction specificity, network modularity, and phylogenetic signal. We then discuss army ant symbionts as examples of large and primarily parasitic communities, and symbiotic sternorrhynchans as examples of generally smaller and primarily mutualistic communities in the context of these network analyses. We argue that this approach will provide new and complementary insights into the evolutionary and ecological dynamics between ants and their many associates, and will facilitate comparisons across different ant-symbiont assemblages as well as across different types of ecological networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniek B F Ivens
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065; , ,
| | - Christoph von Beeren
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065; , ,
| | - Nico Blüthgen
- Department of Biology, Ecological Networks, Technical University Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany;
| | - Daniel J C Kronauer
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065; , ,
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25
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Beros S, Jongepier E, Hagemeier F, Foitzik S. The parasite's long arm: a tapeworm parasite induces behavioural changes in uninfected group members of its social host. Proc Biol Sci 2015; 282:20151473. [PMID: 26582019 PMCID: PMC4685803 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2015.1473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasites can induce alterations in host phenotypes in order to enhance their own survival and transmission. Parasites of social insects might not only benefit from altering their individual hosts, but also from inducing changes in uninfected group members. Temnothorax nylanderi ant workers infected with the tapeworm Anomotaenia brevis are known to be chemically distinct from nest-mates and do not contribute to colony fitness, but are tolerated in their colonies and well cared for. Here, we investigated how tapeworm- infected workers affect colony aggression by manipulating their presence in ant colonies and analysing whether their absence or presence resulted in behavioural alterations in their nest-mates. We report a parasite-induced shift in colony aggression, shown by lower aggression of uninfected nest-mates from parasitized colonies towards conspecifics, potentially explaining the tolerance towards infected ants. We also demonstrate that tapeworm-infected workers showed a reduced flight response and higher survival, while their presence caused a decrease in survival of uninfected nest-mates. This anomalous behaviour of infected ants, coupled with their increased survival, could facilitate the parasites' transmission to its definitive hosts, woodpeckers. We conclude that parasites exploiting individuals that are part of a society not only induce phenotypic changes within their individual hosts, but in uninfected group members as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Beros
- Institute of Zoology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Johannes von Müller Weg 6, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Evelien Jongepier
- Institute of Zoology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Johannes von Müller Weg 6, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Felizitas Hagemeier
- Institute of Zoology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Johannes von Müller Weg 6, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Susanne Foitzik
- Institute of Zoology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Johannes von Müller Weg 6, Mainz 55128, Germany
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26
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De la Mora A, Pérez-Lachaud G, Lachaud JP, Philpott SM. Local and Landscape Drivers of Ant Parasitism in a Coffee Landscape. Environ Entomol 2015; 44:939-50. [PMID: 26314039 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvv071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Parasitism of ants that nest in rotting wood by eucharitid wasps was studied in order to examine whether habitat and season influence ant parasitism, vegetation complexity and agrochemical use correlate with ant parasitism, and whether specific local and landscape features of agricultural landscapes correlate with changes in ant parasitism. In a coffee landscape, 30 coffee and 10 forest sites were selected in which local management (e.g., vegetation, agrochemical use) and landscape features (e.g., distance to forest, percent of rustic coffee nearby) were characterized. Rotten logs were sampled and ant cocoons were collected from logs and cocoons were monitored for parasitoid emergence. Sixteen ant morphospecies in three ant subfamilies (Ectatomminae, Ponerinae, and Formicinae) were found. Seven ant species parasitized by two genera of Eucharitidae parasitoids (Kapala and Obeza) were reported and some ant-eucharitid associations were new. According to evaluated metrics, parasitism did not differ with habitat (forest, high-shade coffee, low-shade coffee), but did increase in the dry season for Gnamptogenys ants. Parasitism increased with vegetation complexity for Gnamptogenys and Pachycondyla and was high in sites with both high and low agrochemical use. Two landscape variables and two local factors positively correlated with parasitism for some ant genera and species. Thus, differences in vegetation complexity at the local and landscape scale and agrochemical use in coffee landscapes alter ecological interactions between parasitoids and their ant hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo De la Mora
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Ecología de Artrópodos y Manejo de Plagas, Carretera Antiguo Aeropuerto Km 2.5 Tapachula 30700, Chiapas, México.
| | - Gabriela Pérez-Lachaud
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Conservación de la Biodiversidad, Avenida Centenario km 5.5, Chetumal 77014, Quintana Roo, México
| | - Jean-Paul Lachaud
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Conservación de la Biodiversidad, Avenida Centenario km 5.5, Chetumal 77014, Quintana Roo, México. Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, CNRS-UMR 5169, Université de Toulouse UPS, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 09, France
| | - Stacy M Philpott
- Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High St., Santa Cruz, CA 95064
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27
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Pérez-Lachaud G, Bartolo-Reyes JC, Quiroa-Montalván CM, Cruz-López L, Lenoir A, Lachaud JP. How to escape from the host nest: imperfect chemical mimicry in eucharitid parasitoids and exploitation of the ants' hygienic behavior. J Insect Physiol 2015; 75:63-72. [PMID: 25770980 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2015.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 10/10/2014] [Revised: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Communication in ants is based to a great extent on chemical compounds. Recognition of intruders is primarily based on cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profile matching but is prone to being cheated. Eucharitid wasps are specific parasitoids of the brood of ants; the immature stages are either well integrated within the colony or are protected within the host cocoons, whereas adult wasps at emergence must leave their host nest to reproduce and need to circumvent the ant recognition system to escape unscathed. The behavioral interactions between eucharitid wasps and workers of their host, the Neotropical ant Ectatomma tuberculatum, are characterized. In experimental bioassays, newly emerged parasitoids were not violently aggressed. They remained still and were grabbed by ants upon contact and transported outside the nest; host workers were even observed struggling to reject them. Parasitoids were removed from the nest within five minutes, and most were unharmed, although two wasps (out of 30) were killed during the interaction with the ants. We analyzed the CHCs of the ant and its two parasitoids, Dilocantha lachaudii and Isomerala coronata, and found that although wasps shared all of their compounds with the ants, each wasp species had typical blends and hydrocarbon abundance was also species specific. Furthermore, the wasps had relatively few CHCs compared to E. tuberculatum (22-44% of the host components), and these were present in low amounts. Wasps, only partially mimicking the host CHC profile, were immediately recognized as alien and actively removed from the nest by the ants. Hexane-washed wasps were also transported to the refuse piles, but only after being thoroughly inspected and after most of the workers had initially ignored them. Being recognized as intruder may be to the parasitoids' advantage, allowing them to quickly leave the natal nest, and therefore enhancing the fitness of these very short lived parasitoids. We suggest that eucharitids take advantage of the hygienic behavior of ants to quickly escape from their host nests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Pérez-Lachaud
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Av. Centenario km 5.5, Chetumal 77014, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
| | | | | | - Leopoldo Cruz-López
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Carr. Antiguo Aeropuerto km 2.5, Tapachula 30700, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Alain Lenoir
- IRBI, Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte, UMR CNRS 7261, Université François Rabelais, 37200 Tours, France
| | - Jean-Paul Lachaud
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Av. Centenario km 5.5, Chetumal 77014, Quintana Roo, Mexico; Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, CNRS-UMR 5169, Université de Toulouse UPS, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 09, France
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28
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Munhae CDB, Morini MSDC, Bueno OC. Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in vineyards that are infested or uninfested with Eurhizococcus brasiliensis (Hemiptera: Margarodidae) in Southeastern Brazil. J Insect Sci 2014; 14:142. [PMID: 25347833 PMCID: PMC5634064 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieu004] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2012] [Accepted: 03/26/2013] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The association between ants and mealybugs can result in damage to agriculture, including vineyards. In southern Brazil, the ant Linepithema micans F. contributes to the dispersal of Eurhizococcus brasiliensis (Wille) (ground pearl), a root mealybug that can lead to economic losses. In this study, the ant communities in vineyards that were infested or uninfested with ground pearls were evaluated in the primary municipalities that produce the Niágara Rosada variety of grapes in southeastern Brazil. The hypothesis of this study was that the composition of the ant community differs between vineyards with and without E. brasiliensis. The ants were collected using subterranean traps in 10 vineyards infested with this mealybug and 10 uninfested vineyards. There was no significant association between ground pearls and the composition or richness of the ant species. Solenopsis invicta (Buren) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) was the most frequently observed, and Pheidole aberrans (Mayr), Pheidole subarmata (Mayr), and Brachymyrmex incisus F. were common, especially in the rainy season when ground-pearl nymphs were prevalent in the state of São Paulo. Species from preserved or specialized environments were recorded in the vineyards, even with the use of conventional management techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina De Bortoli Munhae
- Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais, Instituto de Biociências, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Santina De Castro Morini
- Núcleo de Ciências Ambientais, Laboratório de Mirmecologia, Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes, Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Odair Correa Bueno
- Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais, Instituto de Biociências, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
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29
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Abstract
Fossil mesostigmatid mites (Acari: Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata) are extremely rare, and specimens from only nine families, including four named species, have been described so far. A new record of Myrmozercon sp. described here from Eocene (ca 44-49 Myr) Baltic amber represents the first-and so far only-fossil example of the derived, extant family Laelapidae. Significantly, modern species of this genus are habitually myrmecophilous and the fossil mite described here is preserved attached to the head of the dolichoderine ant Ctenobethylus goepperti (Mayr, 1868). It thus offers the oldest unequivocal evidence for an ecological association between mesostigmatid mites and social insects in the order Hymenoptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A Dunlop
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, Berlin 10115, Germany
| | - Jenő Kontschán
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, PO Box 102, Budapest 1525, Hungary
| | - David E Walter
- Queensland Museum, Brisbane, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Vincent Perrichot
- CNRS UMR 6118 Géosciences, Université de Rennes 1, 263 Avenue du Général Leclerc, Rennes 35042, France
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30
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Loreto RG, Elliot SL, Freitas MLR, Pereira TM, Hughes DP. Long-term disease dynamics for a specialized parasite of ant societies: a field study. PLoS One 2014; 9:e103516. [PMID: 25133749 PMCID: PMC4136743 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 07/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Many studies have investigated how social insects behave when a parasite is introduced into their colonies. These studies have been conducted in the laboratory, and we still have a limited understanding of the dynamics of ant-parasite interactions under natural conditions. Here we consider a specialized parasite of ant societies (Ophiocordyceps camponoti-rufipedis infecting Camponotus rufipes) within a rainforest. We first established that the parasite is unable to develop to transmission stage when introduced within the host nest. Secondly, we surveyed all colonies in the studied area and recorded 100% prevalence at the colony level (all colonies were infected). Finally, we conducted a long-term detailed census of parasite pressure, by mapping the position of infected dead ants and foraging trails (future hosts) in the immediate vicinity of the colonies over 20 months. We report new dead infected ants for all the months we conducted the census--at an average of 14.5 cadavers/month/colony. Based on the low infection rate, the absence of colony collapse or complete recovery of the colonies, we suggest that this parasite represents a chronic infection in the ant societies. We also proposed a "terminal host model of transmission" that links the age-related polyethism to the persistence of a parasitic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel G. Loreto
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Entomology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Simon L. Elliot
- Department of Entomology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mayara L. R. Freitas
- Department of Entomology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thairine M. Pereira
- Department of Entomology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - David P. Hughes
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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31
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Guillade AC, Folgarait PJ. Optimal conditions to rear phorid parasitoids (Diptera: Phoridae) of Atta vollenweideri and Acromyrmex lundii (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Environ Entomol 2014; 43:458-466. [PMID: 24565267 DOI: 10.1603/en13172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Phorid flies have been considered viable options for biological control of leaf-cutter ants because they are highly specific to these hosts, producing direct mortality and also affecting the normal functioning of colonies. Designing protocols for mass rearing of these insects requires knowing the temperature and humidity conditions that optimize their development in terms of duration, survivorship and longevity of adults. We reared Apocephalus setitarsus Brown, Eibesfeldtphora trilobata Disney, and Myrmosicarius brandaoi Disney, which are specific leaf-cutter ant parasitoids of Atta vollenweideri Forel, and Apocephalus neivai Borgmeier and Myrmosicarius catharinensis Borgmeier, which are parasitoids of Acromyrmex lundii Guérin-Méneville. Phorids were maintained under one of five different rearing conditions, 20°C high humidity (20HH), 24°C low and high humidity (24LH and 24HH), and 28°C low and high humidity (28LH and 28HH). Flies from all species could complete their development under all the conditions tested. As expected, the 20HH treatment significantly lengthened all developmental periods in all species, whereas the shortest duration was achieved under 28HH. Although pupal survivorship was highest at 24HH, the greatest longevity of adults was achieved at 20HH. Percentage of pupae obtained and pupal survivorship also exhibited the highest values at 24HH. The rearing efficiency index was highest for all species at 24HH. Therefore, we suggest this temperature and humidity combination as the most suitable for rearing these species, whereas the 20HH treatment is ideal for maintaining adults for longer periods, which would be advantageous for synchronizing matings and mass releases of adults in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea C Guillade
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Roque Sánz Peña 352, Bernal BXD1876, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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32
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Schmid VS, Morales MN, Marinoni L, Kamke R, Steiner J, Zillikens A. Natural history and morphology of the hoverfly Pseudomicrodon biluminiferus and its parasitic relationship with ants nesting in bromeliads. J Insect Sci 2014; 14:38. [PMID: 25373185 PMCID: PMC5657375 DOI: 10.1093/jis/14.1.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2012] [Accepted: 10/12/2012] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The syrphid subfamily Microdontinae is characterized by myrmecophily of their immature stages, i.e., they develop in ant nests. Data on natural history of microdontines are scarce, especially in the Neotropics. Based on fieldwork in southern Brazil, this study provided new data on development and ecology of the hoverfly Pseudomicrodon biluminiferus (Hull) (Diptera: Syrphidae) as well as the first morphological descriptions of male genitalia, larvae, and pupa. Immature specimens were specifically found in colonies of the ant species Crematogaster limata Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) found in rosettes of the bromeliad species Aechmea lindenii (E. Morren) Baker (Poales: Bromeliaceae) and A. nudicaulis (L.) Grisebach. Third instar larvae were observed preying on ant larvae, revealing the parasitic nature of P. biluminiferus. In this and several other aspects, the natural history of P. biluminiferus is similar to that of Holarctic microdontine species. Exceptions include: (i) indications that adults of P. biluminiferus outlast the winter months (in contrast to 3(rd)instar larvae in Holarctic species) and (ii) P. biluminiferus' relationship with bromeliads. The importance of bromeliads for this host-parasite system is evaluated in this paper. The single occurrence of another, unidentified microdontine species' pupae in a nest of the ant species Camponotus melanoticus Emery (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker S Schmid
- Biologie I, Universität Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany Med.-Naturwissenschaftliches Forschungszentrum, Ob dem Himmelreich 7, Universität Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Mírian N Morales
- Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Dept. de Zoologia, Pós-graduação em Entomologia, Cx. Postal 19020, 81531-980 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Luciane Marinoni
- Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Dept. de Zoologia, Pós-graduação em Entomologia, Cx. Postal 19020, 81531-980 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Rafael Kamke
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Laboratório de Abelhas Nativas (LANUFSC), Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Campus Universitário Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Josefina Steiner
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Laboratório de Abelhas Nativas (LANUFSC), Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Campus Universitário Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Anne Zillikens
- Med.-Naturwissenschaftliches Forschungszentrum, Ob dem Himmelreich 7, Universität Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Laboratório de Abelhas Nativas (LANUFSC), Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Campus Universitário Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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Ritter S, Michalski SG, Settele J, Wiemers M, Fric ZF, Sielezniew M, Šašić M, Rozier Y, Durka W. Wolbachia infections mimic cryptic speciation in two parasitic butterfly species, Phengaris teleius and P. nausithous (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). PLoS One 2013; 8:e78107. [PMID: 24223136 PMCID: PMC3819333 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2013] [Accepted: 09/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Deep mitochondrial divergence within species may result from cryptic speciation, from phylogeographic isolation or from endosymbiotic bacteria like Wolbachia that manipulate host reproduction. Phengaris butterflies are social parasites that spend most of their life in close relationship with ants. Previously, cryptic speciation has been hypothesised for two Phengaris species based on divergent mtDNA sequences. Since Phengaris species are highly endangered, the existence of cryptic species would have drastic consequences for conservation and management. We tested for cryptic speciation and alternative scenarios in P. teleius and P. nausithous based on a comprehensive sample across their Palaearctic ranges using COI gene sequences, nuclear microsatellites and tests for Wolbachia. In both species a deep mitochondrial split occurring 0.65-1.97 myrs ago was observed that did not correspond with microsatellite data but was concordant with Wolbachia infection. Haplotypes previously attributed to cryptic species were part of the Wolbachia-infected clades. In both species remaining phylogeographic structure was largely consistent between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. In P. teleius several mitochondrial and nuclear groups were observed in East Asia while a single haplogroup and nuclear cluster prevailed across continental Eurasia. Neutrality tests suggested rapid demographic expansion into that area. In contrast, P. nausithous had several mitochondrial and nuclear groups in Europe, suggesting a complex phylogeographic history in the western part of the species range. We conclude that deep intraspecific divergences found in DNA barcode studies do not necessarily need to represent cryptic speciation but instead can be due to both infection by Wolbachia and phylogeographic structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Ritter
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Community Ecology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Stefan G. Michalski
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Community Ecology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Josef Settele
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Community Ecology, Halle (Saale), Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Wiemers
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Community Ecology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Zdenek F. Fric
- Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Marcin Sielezniew
- University of Bialystok, Institute of Biology, Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Białystok, Poland
| | - Martina Šašić
- Croatian Natural History Museum, Department of Zoology, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Yves Rozier
- CED Entreprises, Centre d’activités de Gorge de Loup, Lyon, France
| | - Walter Durka
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Community Ecology, Halle (Saale), Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Sharma KR, Fadamiro HY. Fire ant alarm pheromone and venom alkaloids act in concert to attract parasitic phorid flies, Pseudacteon spp. J Insect Physiol 2013; 59:1119-1124. [PMID: 24035750 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2013.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [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: 05/13/2013] [Revised: 08/16/2013] [Accepted: 08/24/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Pseudacteon tricuspis, Pseudacteon obtusus and Pseudacteon curvatus are three species of parasitic phorid flies (Diptera: Phoridae), which have been introduced as classical biological control agents of imported, Solenopsis fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the southern USA. Previous studies demonstrated the behavioral response of P. tricuspis to the venom alkaloids and alarm pheromone of the fire ant, S. invicta. In the present study, we compared the responses of P. tricuspis, P. obtusus and P. curvatus to Solenopsis invicta alarm pheromone, venom alkaloids, or a mixture of both chemicals in four-choice olfactometer bioassays. The main hypothesis tested was that the fire ant alarm pheromone and venom alkaloids act in concert to attract Pseudacteon phorid flies. Both sexes of all three Pseudacteon species were attracted to low doses of the fire ant alarm pheromone or venom alkaloids (i.e. 1 ant worker equivalent) alone. However, the flies were significantly more attracted to a mixture of both chemicals (i.e., 1:1 mixture of alarm pheromone+alkaloids) than to either chemical. The results suggest an additive rather than a synergistic effect of combining both chemicals. Comparing the fly species, P. tricuspis showed relatively greater attraction to cis alkaloids, whereas the alkaloid mixture (cis+trans) was preferred by P. obtusus and P. curvatus. In general, no key sexual differences were recorded, although females of P. tricuspis and P. obtusus showed slightly higher response than conspecific males to lower doses of the alarm pheromone. The ecological significance of these findings is discussed, and a host location model is proposed for parasitic phorid flies involving the use of fire ant alarm pheromone and venom alkaloids as long range and short range attractants, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavita R Sharma
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; Department of Entomology, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
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Murray EA, Carmichael AE, Heraty JM. Ancient host shifts followed by host conservatism in a group of ant parasitoids. Proc Biol Sci 2013; 280:20130495. [PMID: 23554396 PMCID: PMC3619522 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2013.0495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 02/24/2013] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
While ant colonies serve as host to a diverse array of myrmecophiles, few parasitoids are able to exploit this vast resource. A notable exception is the wasp family Eucharitidae, which is the only family of insects known to exclusively parasitize ants. Worldwide, approximately 700 Eucharitidae species attack five subfamilies across the ant phylogeny. Our goal is to uncover the pattern of eucharitid diversification, including timing of key evolutionary events, biogeographic patterns and potential cophylogeny with ant hosts. We present the most comprehensive molecular phylogeny of Eucharitidae to date, including 44 of the 53 genera and fossil-calibrated estimates of divergence dates. Eucharitidae arose approximately 50 Ma after their hosts, during the time when the major ant lineages were already established and diversifying. We incorporate host association data to test for congruence between eucharitid and ant phylogenies and find that their evolutionary histories are more similar than expected at random. After a series of initial host shifts, clades within Eucharitidae maintained their host affinity. Even after multiple dispersal events to the New World and extensive speciation within biogeographic regions, eucharitids remain parasitic on the same ant subfamilies as their Old World relatives, suggesting host conservatism despite access to a diverse novel ant fauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Murray
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
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Reese KM, Philpott SM. Environmental and habitat drivers of relative abundance for a suite of azteca-attacking Pseudacteon phorid flies. Environ Entomol 2012; 41:1107-1114. [PMID: 23068166 DOI: 10.1603/en12014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Phoridae (Diptera) have widespread impacts on insect communities by limiting host ant behavior. However, phorid-ant interactions may vary with habitat or environmental conditions. Three Pseudacteon species parasitize Azteca instabilis Fr. Smith, a common ant in coffee agroecosystems, and limit A. instabilis foraging, indirectly benefiting other insects. However, little is known about how phorid abundance, behavior, and effects change with environmental conditions. In shaded coffee systems, coffee (Coffea arabica L.) grows under a range of shade conditions and management changes affect species interactions. For example, Pseudacteon spp. more strongly limit A. instabilis foraging in low-shade coffee habitats. We sampled relative abundance of three phorid species around A. instabilis nests in three coffee habitats varying in shade management during dry and wet seasons. We measured canopy cover, tree richness, tree density, leaf litter depth, and number of nearby trees with A. instabilis to determine whether these habitat factors correlate with phorid abundance. P. laciniosus Brown was the most abundant phorid in both seasons. Phorid relative abundance did not differ by habitat, but did differ by season. P. laciniosus accounted for a higher proportion of phorids in the wet season (91.4%) than in the dry season (78.9%), and P. planidorsalis Brown accounted for a larger percent in the dry season (21.1%) than in the wet season (7.3%). Phorid composition did not differ with habitat type, and none of the measured environmental variables correlated with changes in phorid composition. Thus, phorids in coffee agroecosystems respond to large seasonal differences, but not differences between coffee habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katlynd M Reese
- Department of Environmental Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
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Andersen SB, Ferrari M, Evans HC, Elliot SL, Boomsma JJ, Hughes DP. Disease dynamics in a specialized parasite of ant societies. PLoS One 2012; 7:e36352. [PMID: 22567151 PMCID: PMC3342268 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2012] [Accepted: 04/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Coevolution between ant colonies and their rare specialized parasites are intriguing, because lethal infections of workers may correspond to tolerable chronic diseases of colonies, but the parasite adaptations that allow stable coexistence with ants are virtually unknown. We explore the trade-offs experienced by Ophiocordyceps parasites manipulating ants into dying in nearby graveyards. We used field data from Brazil and Thailand to parameterize and fit a model for the growth rate of graveyards. We show that parasite pressure is much lower than the abundance of ant cadavers suggests and that hyperparasites often castrate Ophiocordyceps. However, once fruiting bodies become sexually mature they appear robust. Such parasite life-history traits are consistent with iteroparity– a reproductive strategy rarely considered in fungi. We discuss how tropical habitats with high biodiversity of hyperparasites and high spore mortality has likely been crucial for the evolution and maintenance of iteroparity in parasites with low dispersal potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra B. Andersen
- Centre for Social Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- * E-mail: (SBA); (DPH)
| | - Matthew Ferrari
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Harry C. Evans
- CAB International, E-UK, Egham, Surrey, United Kingdom
- Department of Entomology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Simon L. Elliot
- Department of Entomology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Jacobus J. Boomsma
- Centre for Social Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David P. Hughes
- Department of Entomology and Department of Biology, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SBA); (DPH)
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Chirino MG, Folgarait PJ, Gilbert LE. Pseudacteon tricuspis: its behavior and development according to the social form of its host and the role of interference competition among females. J Econ Entomol 2012; 105:386-394. [PMID: 22606808 DOI: 10.1603/ec09170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
We studied how the behavior and performance of Pseudacteon tricuspis Borgmeier varies with the social form of its host Solenopsis invicta Buren, in its native range in Argentina where monogyne colonies are more abundant than polygynes (approximately 75 vs. 25%). Female, P. tricuspis took 44% less time (50 vs. 89 s) to attack monogyne than polygyne ants, but oviposition attempts were similar (23 vs. 18 attacks). The presence of the parasitoid affected the average size of foragers on the trail, with the proportion of minor workers increasing on both social forms. In the laboratory, P. tricuspis selected similar host sizes, although pupal survival was 25% higher on monogynes than on polygynes. Developmental times of both genders were similar (33-35 d), although larger females emerged from bigger hosts. The sex ratio of P. tricuspis was more male biased when exploiting polygyne ants. Intraspecific competition significantly affected parasitoid reproductive success, being significantly higher for a solitary female than when three females were present, although the size of workers selected did not vary. The male:female ratio also changed, being 1:1 without competition but 2:1 with competition. We demonstrated for the first time the consequences of interference competition among P. tricuspis females, a common behavior observed in others parasitoids. We discuss why P. tricuspis sex ratios are always biased toward males in both social forms and suggest that similar studies of interference competition within and between already naturalized Pseudacteon species in the United States could help predict establishment patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica G Chirino
- Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Roque Sáenz Peña 352, Bernal (B1876BXD), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Abstract
Host-searching and oviposition behaviors of parasitoids, and defensive responses of the hosts, are fundamental in shaping the ecology of host-parasitoid interactions. In order to uncover key behavioral features for the little known interactions between phorid parasitoids (Diptera: Phoridae) and their leaf-cutting ant hosts (Formicidae: Attini), host-related behavioral strategies (i.e., host searching and oviposition) for 13 phorid species, and host defensive responses (i.e., hitchhikers and particular body postures) for 11 ant species, were studied. Data was collected at 14 localities, one of them characterized by its high species richness for this host-parasitoid system. Phorid species showed both great variation and specificity in attacking behaviors. Some chose their hosts using either an ambush or an actively searching strategy, while some species attacked ants on different body parts, and specialized on ants performing different tasks, such as when ants were foraging, removing wastes to refuse piles, or repairing the nest. Combining all the behaviors recorded, most phorid species differed in performance in at least one, making it possible to recognize species in the field through their behavior. Phorid species that attacked hosts with greater activity levels showed overall higher attack rates, although there was no significant correlation between attack rates by most phorid species and ant activity outside the nest while parasitoids were attacking. The presence of phorids was a significant determinant for the presence of defensive behaviors by the ants. Although ant species varied in the incidence levels of these defensive behaviors, most ant species reacted against different phorids by utilizing similar behaviors, in contrast to what parasitoids do. General features of the observed phorid-ant interactions were parasitoid specialization and corresponding high interspecific variation in their behaviors, while their hosts showed generalized responses to attacks with high intraspecific variation. Behavioral patterns as well as specific features of these ant-parasitoid interactions are described, and their ecological importance discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Elizalde
- Laboratorio de Hormigas, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio Ecotono, Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Patricia Julia Folgarait
- Laboratorio de Hormigas, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Pardee GL, Philpott SM. Cascading indirect effects in a coffee agroecosystem: effects of parasitic phorid flies on ants and the coffee berry borer in a high-shade and low-shade habitat. Environ Entomol 2011; 40:581-588. [PMID: 22251635 DOI: 10.1603/en11015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Nonconsumptive effects (NCE) of parasites on hosts vary with habitat complexity thereby modifying trait-mediated effects on lower trophic levels. In coffee agroecosystems, Pseudacteon sp. phorid fly parasites negatively affect Azteca instabilis F. Smith ants via NCE thereby indirectly benefiting prey. It is unknown how differences in habitat complexity influence Azteca-phorid interactions or how phorids affect the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei Ferrari), an important pest of coffee (Coffea arabica L). We tested the following hypotheses in field and lab experiments to find the impact of NCE of phorids on A. instabilis and trait-mediated indirect effects of phorids on the coffee berry borer: (1) Phorid effects on A. instabilis differ between complex and simple shade habitats and (2) Phorids, by modifying A. instabilis behavior, indirectly affect coffee berry borer abilities to invade coffee berries. Phorids had greater impacts on A. instabilis activity in low-shade farms, but differences in phorid impacts were not mediated by phorid density or light availability. In the lab, phorids had strong cascading effects on abilities of A. instabilis to deter coffee berry borers. Without phorids, A. instabilis limited coffee berry borer attacks, whereas when the coffee berry borer was alone or with A. instabilis and phorids, more coffee fruits were attacked by coffee berry borer. These results indicate that A. instabilis has stronger biological control potential in high-shade farms, but the exact mechanism deserves further attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella L Pardee
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA.
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Scharf I, Fischer-Blass B, Foitzik S. Spatial structure and nest demography reveal the influence of competition, parasitism and habitat quality on slavemaking ants and their hosts. BMC Ecol 2011; 11:9. [PMID: 21443778 PMCID: PMC3078833 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6785-11-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2010] [Accepted: 03/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural communities are structured by intra-guild competition, predation or parasitism and the abiotic environment. We studied the relative importance of these factors in two host-social parasite ecosystems in three ant communities in Europe (Bavaria) and North America (New York, West Virginia). We tested how these factors affect colony demography, life-history and the spatial pattern of colonies, using a large sample size of more than 1000 colonies. The strength of competition was measured by the distance to the nearest competitor. Distance to the closest social parasite colony was used as a measure of parasitism risk. Nest sites (i.e., sticks or acorns) are limited in these forest ecosystems and we therefore included nest site quality as an abiotic factor in the analysis. In contrast to previous studies based on local densities, we focus here on the positioning and spatial patterns and we use models to compare our predictions to random expectations. RESULTS Colony demography was universally affected by the size of the nest site with larger and more productive colonies residing in larger nest sites of higher quality. Distance to the nearest competitor negatively influenced host demography and brood production in the Bavarian community, pointing to an important role of competition, while social parasitism was less influential in this community. The New York community was characterized by the highest habitat variability, and productive colonies were clustered in sites of higher quality. Colonies were clumped on finer spatial scales, when we considered only the nearest neighbors, but more regularly distributed on coarser scales. The analysis of spatial positioning within plots often produced different results compared to those based on colony densities. For example, while host and slavemaker densities are often positively correlated, slavemakers do not nest closer to potential host colonies than expected by random. CONCLUSIONS The three communities are differently affected by biotic and abiotic factors. Some of the differences can be attributed to habitat differences and some to differences between the two slavemaking-host ecosystems. The strong effect of competition in the Bavarian community points to the scarcity of resources in this uniform habitat compared to the other more diverse sites. The decrease in colony aggregation with scale indicates fine-scale resource hotspots: colonies are locally aggregated in small groups. Our study demonstrates that species relationships vary across scales and spatial patterns can provide important insights into species interactions. These results could not have been obtained with analyses based on local densities alone. Previous studies focused on social parasitism and its effect on host colonies. The broader approach taken here, considering several possible factors affecting colony demography and not testing each one in isolation, shows that competition and environmental variability can have a similar strong impact on demography and life-history of hosts. We conclude that the effects of parasites or predators should be studied in parallel to other ecological influences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inon Scharf
- Department of Biology II, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany
- Institute of Zoology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Susanne Foitzik
- Department of Biology II, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany
- Institute of Zoology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany
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Henne DC, Johnson SJ. Short-term population redistribution of Pseudacteon tricuspis (Diptera: Phoridae) from point source releases. Environ Entomol 2011; 40:73-81. [PMID: 22182614 DOI: 10.1603/en10067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
There is a need for quantitative data on patterns and rates of movement of organisms to understand their movement behavior and predict their rates of spread. Opportunities for studying movement of biological control agents are presented during release programs. However, despite these opportunities, patterns and range of dispersal are often not considered. For example, information about effects of wind on dispersal patterns and heterogeneities in rates of movement is critical to predicting future range expansion of biological control agents and determining proximity of multiple releases. Here, the pattern and range of movement of a fire ant parasitoid, Pseudacteon tricuspis Borgmeier, was investigated by performing a series of mass-release-resighting experiments. Flies were released at a central location surrounded by radial transects containing trays of host ants at variable distances along four axes. Resighted flies were censused at these trays at 30 min intervals, up to 2 h postrelease. The dispersal pattern of P. tricuspis in the short term was consistent with a simple diffusion model. On average, 50% of P. tricuspis dispersed ≤10 m, and 95% dispersed ≤29 m. Diffusion rates were variable, depending on release densities, but tended to decline over time after release. Drift of dispersing flies was detected in several trials, and was attributed to prevailing wind dynamics. Data from this assessment of the short term redistribution pattern of P. tricuspis could be useful in determining proximity of releases of this, and other fire ant parasitoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald C Henne
- Department of Entomology, 404 Life Sciences Building, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
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Guillade AC, Folgarait PJ. Life-history traits and parasitism rates of four phorid species (Diptera: Phoridae), parasitoids of Atta vollenweideri (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Argentina. J Econ Entomol 2011; 104:32-40. [PMID: 21404836 DOI: 10.1603/ec10173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Leaf-cutting ants in the genus Atta F. (Formicidae, Attini) are among the most important pest arthropods in Central and South America, consuming more vegetation than any other animal group. Among the organisms attacking ants in nature, flies of the family Phoridae have been proposed as the most promising biocontrol agents for pest ants. Four phorid species, Apocephalus setitarsus Brown, Myrmosicarius brandaoi Disney, Myrmosicarius gonzalezae Disney, and Eibesfeldtphora trilobata Disney, were reared from ants collected at Atta vollenweideri Forel nests and off foraging trails in Santa Fe province in Argentina. E. trilobata attacked larger ants and had bigger adults than the other species, also exhibiting the longest developmental time. Correlations between size of hosts and size of adults, as well as between size of adults and developmental times, could be established only in some cases. No differences were found between the sizes of the hosts from which males and females emerged. The natural percentage of parasitism varied throughout the seasons and seemed to be influenced by the extreme drought affecting the study site. We discuss why all four species would be suitable candidates for integrating an assemblage of biocontrol agents against A. vollenweideri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea C Guillade
- Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Roque Sáienz Peña 352, Bernal BXD1876, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Puckett RT, Harris MK. Phorid flies, Pseudacteon spp. (Diptera: Phoridae), affect forager size ratios of red imported fire ants Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Texas. Environ Entomol 2010; 39:1593-1600. [PMID: 22546457 DOI: 10.1603/en09189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Multiple species of Pseudacteon phorid flies (Diptera: Phoridae) are currently being released throughout the southern United States to aid biological control of red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). It is anticipated that these flies will interfere with S. invicta foraging, allowing native ant assemblages to outcompete S. invicta for available resources. Numerous studies have shown a decrease in S. invicta foraging intensity when exposed to phorids. This study documents a behavioral change in phorid-exposed S. invicta colonies at a phorid release site in central Texas. Significant differences in forager size ratios were detected between phorid-exposed and phorid-absent colonies. A similar phenomenon was recently documented in the native range of these insects in South America as well. Experimental manipulation of ratios of S. invicta worker sizes has been shown to have important effects on colony success. This newly documented phorid-mediated S. invicta colony-level effect represents a significant shift in S. invicta foraging dynamics and may provide an additional mechanism by which phorids can influence S. invicta populations in their United States range.
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Affiliation(s)
- R T Puckett
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2143 TAMU, College Station, TX 77845, USA.
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Abstract
Agricultural intensification is linked to reduced species richness and may limit the effectiveness of predators in agricultural systems. We studied the abundance, diversity, and species composition of wood-nesting ants and frequency of parasitism of poneromorph ants in coffee agroeco systems and a forest fragment in Chiapas, Mexico. In three farms differing in shade management and in a nearby forest fragment, we surveyed ants nesting in rotten wood. We collected pupae of all poneromorph ants encountered, and incubated pupae for 15 d to recover emerging ant parasites. If no parasites emerged, we dissected pupae to examine for parasitism. Overall, we found 63 ant morphospecies, 29 genera, and 7 subfamilies from 520 colonies. There were no significant differences in ant richness or abundance between the different sites. However, there were significant differences in the species composition of ants sampled in the four different sites. The parasitism rates of ants differed according to site; in the forest 77.7% of species were parasitized, and this number declined with increasing intensification in traditional polyculture (40%),commercial polyculture (25%), and shade monoculture (16.6%). For three of four poneromorph species found in >1 habitat, parasitism rates were higher in the more vegetatively complex sites. The result that both ant species composition and ant parasitism differed among by site indicates that coffee management intensification affects wood-nesting ant communities. Further, coffee intensification may significantly alter interactions between ants and their parasites, with possible implications for biological control in coffee agroecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo De La Mora
- Departamento de Entomología Tropical, Carretera Antiguo Aeropuerto Km 2.5 Tapachula, Chiapas, México.
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46
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Philpott SM, Perfecto I, Vandermeer J, Uno S. Spatial scale and density dependence in a host parasitoid system: an arboreal ant, Azteca instabilis, and its Pseudacteon phorid parasitoid. Environ Entomol 2009; 38:790-796. [PMID: 19508788 DOI: 10.1603/022.038.0331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Much literature is dedicated to the study of density dependence in host-parasitoid systems. The theoretical literature identifies two potential stabilization mechanisms relating the response of the parasitoid to host density. One is a behavioral response that occurs at a local level, and the other is a demographic response that occurs at a larger spatial scale with heterogeneous patches of host concentrations. In a series of field trials at the small spatial scale (tens of meters) and a 10-mo census at the large spatial scale (hundreds of meters), we examined the attack rates of Pseudacteon sp. phorid flies on Azteca instabilis F. Smith ant hosts. At the local scale, we examined phorid attack rates on ants placed at increasing distances from ant nests (0-12 m) and on different densities of ants (1-50 workers) placed near the nests. At the large scale, we placed whole body extracts of A. instabilis in areas with several A. instabilis nests and in areas >100 m from the nearest nest. For all observations, we recorded the time of the first phorid attack and the number of phorid attacks in a defined time period. We found clear density-dependent responses at both scales. Phorid attack rates were highest within 2 m of A. instabilis nests and at ant densities >25. At the larger scale, phorid attack rate was greater in areas with A. instabilis nests, although this result was obscured during the dry season when the population of parasitoids is dramatically reduced. We propose several behavioral and population-level responses that may contribute to the observed results and propose several testable hypotheses. We conclude that, in this system, density dependence does happen through a behavioral mechanism of the phorid actively seeking concentrations of ants, but also, a population level response is likely caused by the significant difference in phorid attack rates in areas far from ant nests compared with areas nearby to nests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacy M Philpott
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft St., Toledo, OH 43606, USA.
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Henne DC, Johnson SJ. Sampling and dynamics of Pseudacteon tricuspis (Diptera: Phoridae) in Louisiana. Environ Entomol 2009; 38:539-550. [PMID: 19508762 DOI: 10.1603/022.038.0305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The population dynamics of a fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren) parasitoid (Pseudacteon tricuspis Borgmeier) was studied in Louisiana. The objectives of this study were to understand the daily and seasonal population dynamics of P. tricuspis in the context of environmental variables, determine whether P. tricuspis populations were synchronized over local and regional scales, determine the sex ratios and frequency distributions of P. tricuspis at disturbed S. invicta mounds, and determine the minimum sample size and sampling methodology that would provide an estimate of the true relative abundance of P. tricuspis at any location. Daily patterns of relative abundance of P. tricuspis followed a quadratic pattern, with peak fly activity during the afternoon. Seasonally, P. tricuspis relative abundance was variable but tended to positively fluctuate with soil moisture levels. Peak seasonal population abundance occurred during the late summer and fall, whereas population abundance was lowest during the late winter and early spring. Population dynamics of P. tricuspis were found to be synchronized at local and regional scales. Sampling protocols were derived for sampling P. tricuspis populations in Louisiana to account for local spatial heterogeneity in relative population abundance. To obtain an estimate of the true relative population abundance of P. tricuspis, at least 15 S. invicta mounds should be sampled, preferably allocated in groups to different areas at a location to account for spatial population heterogeneity. Phorid fly sampling should be conducted during the afternoons during the summer and fall, when fly abundance is highest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald C Henne
- Department of Entomology, 404 Life Sciences Building, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
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Chirino MG, Gilbert LE, Folgarait PJ. Behavior and development of Pseudacteon curvatus (Diptera: Phoridae) varies according to the social form of its host Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in its native range. Environ Entomol 2009; 38:198-206. [PMID: 19791615 DOI: 10.1603/022.038.0125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We assessed the performance of Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier with respect to the social form of Solenopsis invicta Buren in Argentina In the field, we studied the effect the parasitoid on size and proportion of ant foragers. In the laboratory, we evaluated P. curvatus oviposition preferences; host size elected; developmental periods; and sexual size dimorphism, sex ratio, and parasitoid survivorship. P. curvatus affected the average size of foraging workers on both social forms diminishing the proportion of big and increasing the proportion of minor workers. P. curvatus required a shorter orientation time and exhibited a greater number of attacks when ovipositing on monogynes workers. In the laboratory, host sizes elected by P. curvatus were similar between social forms. However, attacks on polygyne colonies were more variable, increasing the number of unviable offspring. Developmental times of females and males of P. curvatus were similar for both social forms, but total developmental periods were shorter for males from monogyne colonies. We did not find differences between sexes in emerging adults' size by social form and the female: male sex ratio was 1:1 for both social forms. P. curvatus pupae survival and adult emergence per trial from monogyne colonies were greater than from polygyne colonies. The rarity of polygyne S. invicta in its native range may prevent this phorid from adjusting its life history to that social form. Consequences of applying this phorid in biological control are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica G Chirino
- Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Roque Saenz Peña 352, Bernal B1876BXD, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Silva VSG, Bailez O, Viana-Bailez AM, Tonhasca A, Della Lucia TMC. Survey of Neodohrniphora spp. (Diptera: Phoridae) at colonies of Atta sexdens rubropilosa (FOREL) and specificity of attack behaviour in relation to their hosts. Bull Entomol Res 2008; 98:203-206. [PMID: 18257954 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485307005548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Atta sexdens rubropilosa is a leaf-cutting ant that is a significant agricultural and forestry pest in the Neotropical region. This ant is parasitized by flies from the genera Neodohrniphora spp., Apocephalus spp. and Myrmosicarius spp. This study was carried out to determine which species of Neodohrniphora spp. are found near foraging trails of Atta sexdens rubropilosa and to evaluate the specificity of attack behaviour of these parasitoids. From May 2002 to April 2004, we sampled Neodohrniphora spp. hovering over foraging trails of Atta sexdens rubropilosa between 8:00 and 11:00 h and between 15:00 and 18:00 h. To investigate the attacking behaviour against the ants, flies were released individually inside an observation chamber containing a single leaf-cutting ant worker. Each parasitoid was confronted successively with a worker ant of A. sexdens rubropilosa, Atta laevigata Smith, Acromyrmex crassispinus Forel and Acromyrmex subterraneus molestans Santschi. Phorids of three species were identified: Neodohrniphora elongata Brown, Neodohrniphora declinata Borgmeier and Neodohrniphora tonhascai Brown. The three phorid species were active throughout the year and often along the same foraging trails, but N. elongata was the most frequent species. In the laboratory assay, N. elongata, N. declinata and N. tonhascai attacked workers of A. sexdens rubropilosa, A. laevigata and A. crassispinus, but not of A. subterraneus molestans.
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Affiliation(s)
- V S G Silva
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias, Laboratório de Entomologia e Fitopatologia, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
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50
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Abstract
Co-evolutionary trajectories of host-parasite interactions are strongly affected by the antagonists' evolutionary potential, which in turn depends on population sizes as well as levels of recombination, mutation, and gene flow. Under similar selection pressures, the opponent with the higher evolutionary rate is expected to lead the co-evolutionary arms race and to develop local adaptations. Here, we use mitochondrial DNA sequence data and microsatellite markers to assess the amount of genetic variability and levels of gene flow in two host-parasite systems, each consisting of an ant social parasite--the European slavemaker Harpagoxenus sublaevis and the North American slavemaker Protomognathus americanus--and its two main host species. Our population genetic analyses revealed limited gene flow between individual populations of both host and parasite species, allowing for a geographic mosaic of co-evolution. In a between-system comparison, we found less genetic variability and more pronounced structure in Europe, where previous behavioural studies demonstrated strong local adaptation. Within the European host-parasite system, the larger host species Leptothorax acervorum exhibited higher levels of both genetic variability and gene flow, and previous field data showed that it is less affected by the social parasite H. sublaevis than the smaller host Leptothorax muscorum, which has genetically depleted and isolated populations. In North America, the parasite P. americanus showed higher levels of gene flow between sites, but overall less genetic diversity than its hyper-variable main host species, Temnothorax longispinosus. Interestingly, recent ecological and chemical studies demonstrated adaptation of P. americanus to local host populations, indicating the importance of migration in co-evolutionary interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Brandt
- Department Biology I, University Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
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