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Klunk CL, Argenta MA, Casadei‐Ferreira A, Pie MR. Mechanical demands of bite in plane head shapes of ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) workers. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10162. [PMID: 37293120 PMCID: PMC10244895 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Food processing can exert significant evolutionary pressures on the morphological evolution of animal appendages. The ant genus Pheidole displays a remarkable degree of morphological differentiation and task specialization among its workers. Notably, there is considerable variation in head shape within worker subcastes of Pheidole, which could affect the stress patterns generated by bite-related muscle contraction. In this study, we use finite element analysis (FEA) to investigate the effect of the variation in head plane shape in stress patterns, while exploring the morphospace of Pheidole worker head shapes. We hypothesize that the plane head shapes of majors are optimized for dealing with stronger bites. Furthermore, we expect that plane head shapes at the edges of each morphospace would exhibit mechanical limitations that prevent further expansion of the occupied morphospace. We vectorized five head shapes for each Pheidole worker type located at the center and edges of the corresponding morphospaces. We conducted linear static FEA to analyze the stresses generated by mandibular closing muscle contraction. Our findings indicate that plane head shapes of majors exhibit signs of optimization to deal with stronger bites. Stresses are distinctly directed along the lateral margins of the head, following the direction of muscle contraction, whereas the stresses on the plane head shapes of minors tend to concentrate around the mandibular articulations. However, the comparatively higher stress levels observed on majors' plane head shapes suggest a demand for cuticular reinforcement, like increased cuticle thickness or sculpturing pattern. Our results align with the expectations regarding the main colony tasks performed by each worker subcaste, and we find evidence of biomechanical limitations on extreme plane head shapes for majors and minors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian L. Klunk
- Graduate Program in Ecology and ConservationUniversidade Federal do ParanáCuritibaBrazil
| | - Marco A. Argenta
- Department of Civil ConstructionUniversidade Federal do ParanáCuritibaBrazil
| | - Alexandre Casadei‐Ferreira
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity UnitOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate UniversityOnnaJapan
| | - Marcio R. Pie
- Department of BiologyEdge Hill UniversityOrmskirkUK
- Department of ZoologyUniversidade Federal do ParanáCuritibaBrazil
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2
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Climate and body size have differential roles on melanism evolution across workers in a worldwide ant genus. Oecologia 2022; 199:579-587. [PMID: 35804249 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-022-05211-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
One of the main aspects associated with the diversity in animal colour is the variation in melanization levels. In ectotherms, melanism can be advantageous in aiding thermoregulation through heat absorption. Darker bodies may also serve as a shield from harmful UV-B radiation. Melanism may also confer protection against parasites and predators through improving immunity responses and camouflage in regions with high precipitation, with complex and shaded vegetations and greater diversity of pathogens and parasites. We studied melanism evolution in the globally distributed ant genus Pheidole under the pressures of temperature, UV-B radiation and precipitation, while considering the effects of body size and nest habit, traits that are commonly overlooked. More importantly, we account for worker caste polymorphism, which is marked by distinct roles and behaviours. We revealed for the first time distinct evolutionary trajectories for each worker subcaste. As expected, major workers from species inhabiting locations with lower temperatures and higher precipitation tend to be more melanised. Curiously, we show a slight trend where minor workers of larger species also tend to have darker bodies when inhabiting regions with higher precipitation. Lastly, we did not find evidence for the effects of UV-B radiation and nest habit in the lightness variation of workers. Our paper explores the evolution of ant melanization considering a marked ant worker polymorphism and a wide range of ecological factors. We discuss our findings under the light of the Thermal Melanism Hypothesis, the Photoprotection Hypothesis and the Gloger's Rule.
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3
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GUERRERO ROBERTOJ, GARCÍA EMIRA, FERNÁNDEZ FERNANDO. The Pheidole Westwood, 1839 ants (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) in Colombia: new records including two species with remarkable morphology. Zootaxa 2022; 5154:319-332. [DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5154.3.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Pheidole is one of the most diverse groups of ants in the World, with more than 630 species known from the Neotropical Region. As part of studies on the ant fauna of Colombia, a contribution to the taxonomy of these ants is presented here. The worker subcastes of Pheidole praeusta Roger are redescribed, this being the first record of a trimorphic species outside the Nearctic region. Pheidole amata Forel is proposed as a junior synonym of Pheidole praeusta. Pheidole rogeripolita Longino is identified as the first species in the New World with a 5-segmented antennal club, and the third species with such antennal club in the world. Pheidole distorta Forel, a species described 120 years ago, is redescribed, and notes on its reproductive caste are offered. The description and diagnosis of the Pheidole iceni Fernández soldier is amended. New species records for the country and South America are listed. Multifocus photographs of P. praeusta, and P. rogeripolita are offered.
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Casadei‐Ferreira A, Feitosa RM, Pie MR. Size and shape in the evolution of the worker head in
Pheidole
ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). J Zool (1987) 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Casadei‐Ferreira
- Departamento de Zoologia Setor de Ciências Biológicas Centro Politécnico Universidade Federal do Paraná Curitiba Paraná Brazil
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University Onna Okinawa Japan
| | - R. M. Feitosa
- Departamento de Zoologia Setor de Ciências Biológicas Centro Politécnico Universidade Federal do Paraná Curitiba Paraná Brazil
| | - M. R. Pie
- Departamento de Zoologia Setor de Ciências Biológicas Centro Politécnico Universidade Federal do Paraná Curitiba Paraná Brazil
- Biology Department Edge Hill University Ormskirk Lancashire UK
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5
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Sang Y, Yin RY, Luo Y, Zhou ZM. The complete mitochondrial genome of Pheidole nodus (Smith, 1874) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 2022; 7:451-453. [PMID: 35274040 PMCID: PMC8903746 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2022.2047118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Pheidole nodus (Smith, 1874) belongs to a famously hyperdiverse and ecologically dominant ant genus. The mitochondrial genome of P. nodus is 15,579 bp in length, and the overall base composition is 78.6% AT. It includes 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNAs, and a control region. Phylogenetic trees show that P. nodus is more closely related to Wasmannia than to Atta. These sequence data will play an important role in the investigation of the phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy of the group Attini.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Sang
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, China
| | - Ru-Yi Yin
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, China
| | - Yi Luo
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, China
| | - Zhao-Min Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, China.,Key Laboratory of Environmental Science and Biodiversity Conservation (Sichuan Province), China West Normal University, Nanchong, China
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6
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Klunk CL, Pie MR. No evidence for dominance–discovery trade-offs in Pheidole (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) assemblages. CAN J ZOOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2021-0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms that allow species coexistence across spatial scales is of great interest to ecologists. Many such proposed mechanisms involve trade-offs between species in different life-history traits, with distinct trade-offs being expected to be prevalent at varying temporal and spatial scales. The dominance–discovery trade-off posits that species differ in their ability to find and use resources quickly, in contrast to their ability to monopolize those resources, a mechanism analogous to the competition-colonization trade-off. We investigated the occurrence of this structuring mechanism in the genus Pheidole Westwood, 1839 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) assemblages in Atlantic Forest remnants. According to the dominance–discovery trade-off, consistent interspecific variation should be observed along the axis of discovery and dominance. We established 55 sampling units across two sites, with each unit consisting of a sardine bait monitored for 3 h. There was no distinction among Pheidole species in their ability to find or dominate food sources, suggesting that the dominance–discovery trade-off does not explain their coexistence. The low levels of aggression between Pheidole species could prevent the establishment of dominance hierarchies, whereas the species order of arrival at food sources could allow for resource partitioning through priority effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian L. Klunk
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Conservation, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba-PR, Brazil
| | - Marcio R. Pie
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Conservation, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba-PR, Brazil
- Department of Zoology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba-PR, Brazil
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7
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Klunk CL, Argenta MA, Casadei-Ferreira A, Economo EP, Pie MR. Mandibular morphology, task specialization and bite mechanics in Pheidole ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). J R Soc Interface 2021; 18:20210318. [PMID: 34102082 PMCID: PMC8187013 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ants show remarkable ecological and evolutionary success due to their social life history and division of labour among colony members. In some lineages, the worker force became subdivided into morphologically distinct individuals (i.e. minor versus major workers), allowing for the differential performance of particular roles in the colony. However, the functional and ecological significance of these morphological differences are not well understood. Here, we applied finite element analysis (FEA) to explore the biomechanical differences between major and minor ant worker mandibles. Analyses were carried out on mandibles of two Pheidole species, a dimorphic ant genus. We tested whether major mandibles evolved to minimize stress when compared to minors using combinations of the apical tooth and masticatory margin bites under strike and pressure conditions. Majors performed better in pressure conditions yet, contrary to our expectations, minors performed better in strike bite scenarios. Moreover, we demonstrated that even small morphological differences in ant mandibles might lead to substantial differences in biomechanical responses to bite loading. These results also underscore the potential of FEA to uncover biomechanical consequences of morphological differences within and between ant workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian L. Klunk
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Conservation, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba-PR, Brazil
| | - Marco A. Argenta
- Department of Civil Construction, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba-PR, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Casadei-Ferreira
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Japan
| | - Evan P. Economo
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Japan
| | - Marcio R. Pie
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Conservation, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba-PR, Brazil
- Department of Zoology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba-PR, Brazil
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8
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Casadei‐Ferreira A, Friedman NR, Economo EP, Pie MR, Feitosa RM. Head and mandible shapes are highly integrated yet represent two distinct modules within and among worker subcastes of the ant genus Pheidole. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:6104-6118. [PMID: 34141206 PMCID: PMC8207162 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Ants use their mandibles for a wide variety of tasks related to substrate manipulation, brood transport, food processing, and colony defense. Due to constraints involved in colony upkeep, ants evolved a remarkable diversity of mandibular forms, often related to specific roles such as specialized hunting and seed milling. Considering these varied functional demands, we focused on understanding how the mandible and head shape vary within and between Pheidole subcastes. Using x-ray microtomography and 3D geometric morphometrics, we tested whether these structures are integrated and modular, and how ecological predictors influenced these features. Our results showed that mandible and head shape of majors and minor workers tend to vary from robust to slender, with some more complex changes related to the mandibular base. Additionally, we found that head and mandible shapes are characterized by a high degree of integration, but with little correlation with feeding and nesting habits. Our results suggest that a combination of structural (allometric) constraints and the behavioral flexibility conferred by subcaste dimorphism might largely buffer selective pressures that would otherwise lead to a fine-tuning between ecological conditions and morphological adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Casadei‐Ferreira
- Departamento de ZoologiaUniversidade Federal do ParanáCuritibaBrazil
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity UnitOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate UniversityOnnaJapan
| | - Nicholas R. Friedman
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity UnitOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate UniversityOnnaJapan
| | - Evan P. Economo
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity UnitOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate UniversityOnnaJapan
| | - Marcio R. Pie
- Departamento de ZoologiaUniversidade Federal do ParanáCuritibaBrazil
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9
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Singh A, Mayer VE, Zytynska SE, Hesse B, Weisser WW. The Efficiency of Plant Defense: Aphid Pest Pressure Does Not Alter Production of Food Rewards by Okra Plants in Ant Presence. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:627570. [PMID: 33790922 PMCID: PMC8005652 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.627570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Pearl bodies are produced by some plant species as food reward for ants and in exchange, ants defend these plants against insect pests. Sap-sucking pests such as aphids also excrete honeydew as food reward for ants, leading to potential conflict where ants could preferentially defend either the plant or the aphid. How pest insects might influence plant pearl body production, is yet to be investigated. Okra is a widely consumed vegetable worldwide and is attacked by the ant-tended cotton aphid. The plants produce pearl bodies, which are predominantly found on the underside of the leaves and formed from epidermal cells. We conducted a set of field and greenhouse experiments to explore plant-aphid-ant interactions, their influence on pearl body production and resulting performance of okra plants, across okra varieties. We found that ants of Pheidole genus, which are dominant in okra fields, preferred pearl bodies over aphid honeydew; although, their highest abundance was recorded in presence of both these food rewards, and on one okra variety. Removal of pearl bodies from the plants increased their production; however, plant growth and chlorophyll content were negatively associated with pearl body replenishment. Potentially to mitigate this resource cost, plants developed such a novel defense response because we found that aphid presence reduced pearl body production, but only when there were no ants. Finally, aphids negatively affected plant performance, but only at very high densities. As aphids also attract ants, plants may tolerate their presence at low densities to attract higher ant abundances. Our study highlights that plants can adapt their defense strategies in pest presence for efficient resource use. We suggest that understanding pearl body associated interactions in crop plants can assist in using such traits for pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Singh
- Chair for Terrestrial Ecology, Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
- Agricultural Ecology Group, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Veronika E. Mayer
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, Division of Structural and Functional Botany, University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Sharon E. Zytynska
- Chair for Terrestrial Ecology, Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin Hesse
- Land Surface-Atmosphere Interactions, AG Ecophysiology of Plants, Department for Ecology and Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
| | - Wolfgang W. Weisser
- Chair for Terrestrial Ecology, Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
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10
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Arnan X, Angulo E, Boulay R, Molowny-Horas R, Cerdá X, Retana J. Introduced ant species occupy empty climatic niches in Europe. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3280. [PMID: 33558646 PMCID: PMC7870827 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82982-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Exploring shifts in the climatic niches of introduced species can provide significant insight into the mechanisms underlying the invasion process and the associated impacts on biodiversity. We aim to test the phylogenetic signal hypothesis in native and introduced species in Europe by examining climatic niche similarity. We examined data from 134 ant species commonly found in western Europe; 130 were native species, and 4 were introduced species. We characterized their distribution patterns using species records from different databases, determined their phylogenetic relatedness, and tested for a phylogenetic signal in their optimal climatic niches. We then compared the introduced species' climatic niches in Europe with their climatic niches in their native ranges and with the climatic niches of their closest relative species in Europe. We found a strong phylogenetic signal in the optimal climatic niches of the most common ant species in Europe; however, this signal was weak for the main climatic variables that affect the distributions of introduced versus native species. Also, introduced species occupied different climatic niches in Europe than in their native ranges; furthermore, their European climatic niches did not resemble those of their closest relative species in Europe. We further discovered that there was not much concordance between the climatic niches of introduced species in their native ranges and climatic conditions in Europe. Our findings suggest that phylogenetics do indeed constrain shifts in the climatic niches of native European ant species. However, introduced species would not face such constraints and seemed to occupy relatively empty climatic niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Arnan
- grid.26141.300000 0000 9011 5442Universidade de Pernambuco – Campus Garanhuns, Garanhuns, PE 55294-902 Brazil ,grid.452388.00000 0001 0722 403XCREAF, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalunya Spain
| | - Elena Angulo
- grid.418875.70000 0001 1091 6248Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Avda Américo Vespucio, 26, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Raphaël Boulay
- grid.12366.300000 0001 2182 6141Institute of Insect Biology, University François Rabelais of Tours, 37200 Tours, France
| | | | - Xim Cerdá
- grid.418875.70000 0001 1091 6248Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Avda Américo Vespucio, 26, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Javier Retana
- grid.452388.00000 0001 0722 403XCREAF, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalunya Spain ,grid.7080.fUniv Autònoma Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalunya Spain
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11
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Friedman NR, Lecroq Bennet B, Fischer G, Sarnat EM, Huang J, Knowles LLK, Economo EP. Macroevolutionary integration of phenotypes within and across ant worker castes. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:9371-9383. [PMID: 32953067 PMCID: PMC7487254 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic traits are often integrated into evolutionary modules: sets of organismal parts that evolve together. In social insect colonies, the concepts of integration and modularity apply to sets of traits both within and among functionally and phenotypically differentiated castes. On macroevolutionary timescales, patterns of integration and modularity within and across castes can be clues to the selective and ecological factors shaping their evolution and diversification. We develop a set of hypotheses describing contrasting patterns of worker integration and apply this framework in a broad (246 species) comparative analysis of major and minor worker evolution in the hyperdiverse ant genus Pheidole. Using geometric morphometrics in a phylogenetic framework, we inferred fast and tightly integrated evolution of mesosoma shape between major and minor workers, but slower and more independent evolution of head shape between the two worker castes. Thus, Pheidole workers are evolving as a mixture of intracaste and intercaste integration and rate heterogeneity. The decoupling of homologous traits across worker castes may represent an important process facilitating the rise of social complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R. Friedman
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity UnitOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate UniversityOkinawaJapan
| | - Beatrice Lecroq Bennet
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity UnitOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate UniversityOkinawaJapan
| | - Georg Fischer
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity UnitOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate UniversityOkinawaJapan
| | - Eli M. Sarnat
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity UnitOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate UniversityOkinawaJapan
| | - Jen‐Pan Huang
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Museum of ZoologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
- Biodiversity Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
| | - L. Lacey Knowles Knowles
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Museum of ZoologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Evan P. Economo
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity UnitOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate UniversityOkinawaJapan
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12
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Brassard F, Francoeur A, Lessard JP. Temperature drives caste-specific morphological clines in ants. J Anim Ecol 2020; 89:2517-2530. [PMID: 32858759 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The morphology of organisms relates to most aspects of their life history and autecology. As such, elucidating the drivers of morphological variation along environmental gradients might give insight into processes limiting species distributions. In eusocial organisms, the concept of morphology is more complex than in solitary organisms. Eusocial insects such as ants exhibit drastic morphological differences between reproductive and worker castes. How environmental selection operates on the morphology of each caste, and whether caste-specific selection has fitness consequences is largely unknown, but is potentially crucial to understand what limits ant species' distributions. Here we aimed to examine whether ant shape and body size covaries with climate at the scale of an entire continent, and whether such relationship might be caste specific. We used 26,472 georeferenced morphometric measurements from 2,206 individual ants belonging to 32 closely related North American species in the genus Formica to assess how ant morphology relates to geographic variation in the abiotic environment. Although precipitation and seasonality explained some of the geographic variation in morphology, temperature was the best predictor. Specifically, geographic variation in body size was positively related to temperature, meaning that ants are smaller in cold than in warm environments. Moreover, the strength of the relationship between size and temperature was stronger for the reproductive castes (i.e. queens and males) than for the worker caste. The shape of workers and males also varied along these large-scale abiotic gradients. Specifically, the relative length of workers' legs, thoraxes and antennae positively related to temperature, meaning that they had shorter appendages in cold environments. In contrast, males had smaller heads, but larger thoraxes in more seasonal environments. Overall, our results suggest that geographic variation in ambient temperature influences the morphology of ants, but that the strength of this effect is caste specific. In conclusion, whereas ant ecology has traditionally focused on workers, our study shows that considering the ecology of the reproductive castes is imperative to move forward in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - André Francoeur
- Department of Biology, University of Quebec at Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC, Canada
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13
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Does fertilization with dehydrated sewage sludge affect Terminalia argentea (Combretaceae) and associated arthropods community in a degraded area? Sci Rep 2020; 10:11811. [PMID: 32678241 PMCID: PMC7367274 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68747-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Nutrients from dehydrated sewage sludge play an essential role in the development of many plants such as Terminalia argentea, in the recovery of degraded areas. The aims were to assess the abundance, diversity and species richness of phytophagous, pollinators and predators arthropods, as well as the percentage of defoliation of T. argentea trees, fertilized (or not) with dehydrated sewage sludge in a degraded area. The abundance, diversity and species richness of phytophagous Coleoptera and total predators (predator insects + protocooperating ants + spiders); abundance and species richness of Diptera, pollinator insects, spiders, and predators (predator insects + spiders) were higher on trees fertilized with dehydrated sewage sludge. The abundance of phytophagous Coleoptera declined with the presence of phytophagous Hemiptera and protocooperating ants; population of phytophagous Orthoptera declined in response to phytophagous Coleoptera and total predators; the numbers of the leafminer Lyriomyza sp. directly increased with the numbers of spiders. The ecological indices of phytophagous, pollinators, and predator arthopods increased on Terminalia argentea trees fertilized with dehydrated sewage sludge; such a better ecological indices in fertilized than in unfertilized trees, show it more suitable for the recovery of degraded areas. We discuss the competition between phytophagous insects groups as well as herbivory reduction by predators.
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14
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Martins C, Moreau CS. Influence of host phylogeny, geographical location and seed harvesting diet on the bacterial community of globally distributed Pheidole ants. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8492. [PMID: 32117618 PMCID: PMC7006521 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of symbiotic relationships between organisms is a common phenomenon found across the tree of life. In particular, the association of bacterial symbionts with ants is an active area of study. This close relationship between ants and microbes can significantly impact host biology and is also considered one of the driving forces in ant evolution and diversification. Diet flexibility of ants may explain the evolutionary success of the group, which may be achieved by the presence of endosymbionts that aid in nutrition acquisition from a variety of food sources. With more than 1,140 species, ants from the genus Pheidole have a worldwide distribution and an important role in harvesting seeds; this behavior is believed to be a possible key innovation leading to the diversification of this group. This is the first study to investigate the bacterial community associated with Pheidole using next generation sequencing (NGS) to explore the influences of host phylogeny, geographic location and food preference in shaping the microbial community. In addition, we explore if there are any microbiota signatures related to granivory. We identified Proteobacteria and Firmicutes as the major phyla associated with these ants. The core microbiome in Pheidole (those found in >50% of all samples) was composed of 14 ASVs and the most prevalent are family Burkholderiaceae and the genera Acinetobacter, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Cloacibacterium and Ralstonia. We found that geographical location and food resource may influence the bacterial community of Pheidole ants. These results demonstrate that Pheidole has a relatively stable microbiota across species, which suggests the bacterial community may serve a generalized function in this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cíntia Martins
- Department of Biological Science, Campus Ministro Reis Velloso, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Parnaíba, Piauí, Brazil.,Department of Science and Education, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Corrie S Moreau
- Department of Science and Education, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, United States of America.,Departments of Entomology and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
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15
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Darwell CT, Fischer G, Sarnat EM, Friedman NR, Liu C, Baiao G, Mikheyev AS, Economo EP. Genomic and phenomic analysis of island ant community assembly. Mol Ecol 2020; 29:1611-1627. [PMID: 31820838 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Island biodiversity has long fascinated biologists as it typically presents tractable systems for unpicking the eco-evolutionary processes driving community assembly. In general, two recurring themes are of central theoretical interest. First, immigration, diversification, and extinction typically depend on island geographical properties (e.g., area, isolation, and age). Second, predictable ecological and evolutionary trajectories readily occur after colonization, such as the evolution of adaptive trait syndromes, trends toward specialization, adaptive radiation, and eventual ecological decline. Hypotheses such as the taxon cycle draw on several of these themes to posit particular constraints on colonization and subsequent eco-evolutionary dynamics. However, it has been challenging to examine these integrated dynamics with traditional methods. Here, we combine phylogenomics, population genomics and phenomics, to unravel community assembly dynamics among Pheidole (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) ants in the isolated Fijian archipelago. We uphold basic island biogeographic predictions that isolated islands accumulate diversity primarily through in situ evolution rather than dispersal, and population genomic support for taxon cycle predictions that endemic species have decreased dispersal ability and demography relative to regionally widespread taxa. However, rather than trending toward island syndromes, ecomorphological diversification in Fiji was intense, filling much of the genus-level global morphospace. Furthermore, while most endemic species exhibit demographic decline and reduced dispersal, we show that the archipelago is not an evolutionary dead-end. Rather, several endemic species show signatures of population and range expansion, including a successful colonization to the Cook islands. These results shed light on the processes shaping island biotas and refine our understanding of island biogeographic theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clive T Darwell
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Georg Fischer
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Eli M Sarnat
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Nicholas R Friedman
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Cong Liu
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Guilherme Baiao
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Alexander S Mikheyev
- Ecology and Evolution Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan.,Research School of Biology, Evolutionary Genomics Research Group, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Evan P Economo
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
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16
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Barroso SC, Longui EL, Fernandes TT, Oliveira CM, Ferreira AC, Silva RR, Morini MSC. Twigs occupied by Pheidole Westwood, 1839: Is there a difference between species? BIOTA NEOTROPICA 2020. [DOI: 10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2019-0897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract: Pheidole is a genus with wide geographical distribution and diversity, especially in the leaf litter of neotropical forests, where nests are found at the soil-litter interface, in the soil and vegetation, among leaves, seeds, and twigs. Despite the availability of twigs and Pheidole species diversity in the leaf litter, most of this resource is not occupied, which suggests the existence of filters. This study analyzes whether twigs occupied by Pheidole species differ for the outer structure and anatomy of the wood. Twigs were collected from preserved Atlantic Forest fragments in southeastern Brazil. Twigs with Pheidole colonies were measured and the wood anatomy analyzed. We collected 224 twigs with Pheidole colonies, but the analysis was done at 41% due to wood decomposition. Five species were recorded in these twigs, which differ for the outer structure and anatomy of the wood. These results suggest the existence of preference in the occupation of twigs determined by wood structure.
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17
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Neves K, Moura MR, Maravalhas J, Pacheco R, Pie MR, Schultz TR, Vasconcelos HL. Functional richness shows spatial scale dependency in Pheidole ant assemblages from Neotropical savannas. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:11734-11741. [PMID: 31695883 PMCID: PMC6822040 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a growing recognition that spatial scale is important for understanding ecological processes shaping community membership, but empirical evidence on this topic is still scarce. Ecological processes such as environmental filtering can decrease functional differences among species and promote functional clustering of species assemblages, whereas interspecific competition can do the opposite. These different ecological processes are expected to take place at different spatial scales, with competition being more likely at finer scales and environmental filtering most likely at coarser scales. We used a comprehensive dataset on species assemblages of a dominant ant genus, Pheidole, in the Cerrado (savanna) biodiversity hotspot to ask how functional richness relates to species richness gradients and whether such relationships vary across spatial scales. Functional richness of Pheidole assemblages decreased with increasing species richness, but such relationship did not vary across different spatial scales. Species were more functionally dissimilar at finer spatial scales, and functional richness increased less than expected with increasing species richness. Our results indicate a tighter packing of the functional volume as richness increases and point out to a primary role for environmental filtering in shaping membership of Pheidole assemblages in Neotropical savannas. OPEN RESEARCH BADGES This article has been awarded Open Materials, Open Data, Preregistered Research Designs Badges. All materials and data are publicly accessible via the Open Science Framework at https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.31201jg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Neves
- Instituto de BiologiaUniversidade Federal UberlândiaUberlândiaMGBrazil
| | - Mario R. Moura
- Instituto de BiologiaUniversidade Federal UberlândiaUberlândiaMGBrazil
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyYale UniversityNew HavenCTUSA
| | - Jonas Maravalhas
- Instituto de BiologiaUniversidade Federal UberlândiaUberlândiaMGBrazil
| | - Renata Pacheco
- Instituto de BiologiaUniversidade Federal UberlândiaUberlândiaMGBrazil
| | - Marcio R. Pie
- Departamento de ZoologiaUniversidade Federal do ParanáCuritibaPRBrazil
| | - Ted R. Schultz
- Department of EntomologyNational Museum of Natural HistorySmithsonian InstitutionWashingtonDCUSA
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18
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Casadei-Ferreira A, Chaul JCM, Feitosa RM. A new species of Pheidole (Formicidae, Myrmicinae) from Dominican amber with a review of the fossil records for the genus. Zookeys 2019; 866:117-125. [PMID: 31388325 PMCID: PMC6669217 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.866.35756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pheidole comprises approximately 1,000 extant species distributed worldwide, being particularly diverse in the New World. In addition to its high diversity and ecological prevalence, the genus is also characterized by the predominantly intraspecific dimorphism, with major and minor workers. Currently, five fossil species are known, all of which are represented only by minor workers. A new species, †Pheidoleanticuasp. nov., is described from Dominican amber, based on a major worker. Additionally, the identity of the currently known fossil species in Pheidole is discussed and †P.cordata from Baltic amber is considered as incertae sedis, resulting in no Pheidole species currently recognized for Baltic amber
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Casadei-Ferreira
- Laboratório de Sistemática e Biologia de Formigas, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Avenida Francisco Heráclito dos Santos, s/n, Centro Politécnico, Mailbox 19020, 81531-980, Curitiba, Brazil Universidade Federal do Paraná Curitiba Brazil
| | - Julio C M Chaul
- Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil Universidade Federal de Viçosa Viçosa Brazil
| | - Rodrigo M Feitosa
- Laboratório de Sistemática e Biologia de Formigas, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Avenida Francisco Heráclito dos Santos, s/n, Centro Politécnico, Mailbox 19020, 81531-980, Curitiba, Brazil Universidade Federal do Paraná Curitiba Brazil
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19
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Abstract
Many ant species have complex caste systems, with reproductive queens and sterile workers, which often play distinct roles in the maintenance and defense of the colony. A new study sheds light on how these worker caste systems evolved and the mechanisms by which totipotent larvae give rise to the alternative adult castes.
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20
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Rajakumar R, Koch S, Couture M, Favé MJ, Lillico-Ouachour A, Chen T, De Blasis G, Rajakumar A, Ouellette D, Abouheif E. Social regulation of a rudimentary organ generates complex worker-caste systems in ants. Nature 2018; 562:574-577. [PMID: 30305737 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0613-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The origin of complex worker-caste systems in ants perplexed Darwin1 and has remained an enduring problem for evolutionary and developmental biology2-6. Ants originated approximately 150 million years ago, and produce colonies with winged queen and male castes as well as a wingless worker caste7. In the hyperdiverse genus Pheidole, the wingless worker caste has evolved into two morphologically distinct subcastes-small-headed minor workers and large-headed soldiers8. The wings of queens and males develop from populations of cells in larvae that are called wing imaginal discs7. Although minor workers and soldiers are wingless, vestiges or rudiments of wing imaginal discs appear transiently during soldier development7,9-11. Such rudimentary traits are phylogenetically widespread and are primarily used as evidence of common descent, yet their functional importance remains equivocal1,12-14. Here we show that the growth of rudimentary wing discs is necessary for regulating allometry-disproportionate scaling-between head and body size to generate large-headed soldiers in the genus Pheidole. We also show that Pheidole colonies have evolved the capacity to socially regulate the growth of rudimentary wing discs to control worker subcaste determination, which allows these colonies to maintain the ratio of minor workers to soldiers. Finally, we provide comparative and experimental evidence that suggests that rudimentary wing discs have facilitated the parallel evolution of complex worker-caste systems across the ants. More generally, rudimentary organs may unexpectedly acquire novel regulatory functions during development to facilitate adaptive evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajendhran Rajakumar
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sophie Koch
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mélanie Couture
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marie-Julie Favé
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Travis Chen
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Arjuna Rajakumar
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Ehab Abouheif
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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21
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Penn HJ, Crist TO. From dispersal to predation: A global synthesis of ant-seed interactions. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:9122-9138. [PMID: 30377488 PMCID: PMC6194306 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ant-seed interactions take several forms, including dispersal, predation, and parasitism, whereby ants consume seed appendages without dispersal of seeds. We hypothesized that these interaction outcomes could be predicted by ant and plant traits and habitat, with outcomes falling along a gradient of cost and benefit to the plant. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a global literature review and classified over 6,000 pairs of ant-seed interactions from 753 studies across six continents. Linear models showed that seed and ant size, habitat, and dispersal syndrome were the most consistent predictors. Predation was less likely than parasitism and seed dispersal among myrmecochorous plants. A classification tree of the predicted outcomes from linear models revealed that dispersal and predation formed distinct categories based on habitat, ant size, and dispersal mode, with parasitism outcomes forming a distinct subgroup of predation based on seed size and shape. Multiple correspondence analysis indicated some combinations of ant genera and plant families were strongly associated with particular outcomes, whereas other ant-seed combinations were much more variable. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ant and plant traits are important overall predictors of potential seed fates in different habitat types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah J. Penn
- Department of EntomologyLouisiana State UniversityBaton RougeLouisiana
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22
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Lillico-Ouachour A, Metscher B, Kaji T, Abouheif E. Internal head morphology of minor workers and soldiers in the hyperdiverse ant genus Pheidole. CAN J ZOOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2017-0209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In the hyperdiverse ant genus Pheidole Westwood, 1839, the worker caste evolved into two morphologically distinct subcastes: minor workers and soldiers. The evolution of soldiers, which are larger in size than minor workers and have disproportionately larger heads, are thought to be key to Phediole’s success. Although many studies have focused on external anatomy, little is known about their internal anatomy. We therefore used microCT imaging and quantitative three-dimensional image analysis to reconstruct the major glands of the head, the musculature, nervous system, and digestive organ of minor workers and soldiers of four Pheidole species. We expected these tissues to scale isometrically and to be proportionally larger in soldiers relative to the minor workers. Surprisingly, we found that the nervous system, cephalic gland, and digestive organ volume are absolutely and relatively smaller in soldiers, whereas muscle volume is absolutely and relatively larger, than in minor workers. This may reflect individual-level trade-offs, where muscles grow at the expense of all other cephalic organs. Alternatively, this relationship may reflect the specialization of internal anatomy in each subcaste to enhance division of labour at the colony level. Future studies should test these alternative hypotheses across a larger number of Pheidole species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelica Lillico-Ouachour
- Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205, avenue Docteur Penfield, Montréal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada
| | - Brian Metscher
- Department of Theoretical Biology, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Tominari Kaji
- Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, Bamfield, BC V0R 1B0, Canada
| | - Ehab Abouheif
- Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205, avenue Docteur Penfield, Montréal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada
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23
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Matos-Maraví P, Clouse RM, Sarnat EM, Economo EP, LaPolla JS, Borovanska M, Rabeling C, Czekanski-Moir J, Latumahina F, Wilson EO, Janda M. An ant genus-group (Prenolepis) illuminates the biogeography and drivers of insect diversification in the Indo-Pacific. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2018; 123:16-25. [PMID: 29448063 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2016] [Revised: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The Malay Archipelago and the tropical South Pacific (hereafter the Indo-Pacific region) are considered biodiversity hotspots, yet a general understanding of the origins and diversification of species-rich groups in the region remains elusive. We aimed to test hypotheses for the evolutionary processes driving insect species diversity in the Indo-Pacific using a higher-level and comprehensive phylogenetic hypothesis for an ant clade consisting of seven genera. We estimated divergence times and reconstructed the biogeographical history of ant species in the Prenolepis genus-group (Formicidae: Formicinae: Lasiini). We used a fossil-calibrated phylogeny to infer ancestral geographical ranges utilizing a biogeographic model that includes founder-event speciation. Ancestral state reconstructions of the ants' ecological preferences, and diversification rates were estimated for selected Indo-Pacific clades. Overall, we report that faunal interchange between Asia and Australia has occurred since at least 20-25 Ma, and early dispersal to the Fijian Basin happened during the early and mid-Miocene (ca. 10-20 Ma). Differences in diversification rates across Indo-Pacific clades may be related to ecological preference breadth, which in turn may have facilitated geographical range expansions. Ancient dispersal routes suggested by our results agree with the palaeogeography of the region. For this particular group of ants, the rapid orogenesis in New Guinea and possibly subsequent ecological shifts may have promoted their rapid diversification and widespread distribution across the Indo-Pacific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pável Matos-Maraví
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden; The Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Göteborg, Sweden.
| | - Ronald M Clouse
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Eli M Sarnat
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois, IL, USA
| | - Evan P Economo
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa, Japan
| | - John S LaPolla
- Deparment of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA
| | - Michaela Borovanska
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Christian Rabeling
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA; Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jesse Czekanski-Moir
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, 1 Forestry Drive, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Fransina Latumahina
- Department of Forestry, Agriculture Faculty, Pattimura University, Ambon, Indonesia
| | - Edward O Wilson
- Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Milan Janda
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Cátedras CONACYT, Laboratorio Nacional de Análisis y Síntesis Ecológica, ENES, UNAM, Morelia, Mexico
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24
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Prebus M. Insights into the evolution, biogeography and natural history of the acorn ants, genus Temnothorax Mayr (hymenoptera: Formicidae). BMC Evol Biol 2017; 17:250. [PMID: 29237395 PMCID: PMC5729518 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-017-1095-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Temnothorax (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) is a diverse genus of ants found in a broad spectrum of ecosystems across the northern hemisphere. These diminutive ants have long served as models for social insect behavior, leading to discoveries about social learning and inspiring hypotheses about the process of speciation and the evolution of social parasitism. This genus is highly morphologically and behaviorally diverse, and this has caused a great deal of taxonomic confusion in recent years. Past efforts to estimate the phylogeny of this genus have been limited in taxonomic scope, leaving the broader evolutionary patterns in Temnothorax unclear. To establish the monophyly of Temnothorax, resolve the evolutionary relationships, reconstruct the historical biogeography and investigate trends in the evolution of key traits, I generated, assembled, and analyzed two molecular datasets: a traditional multi-locus Sanger sequencing dataset, and an ultra-conserved element (UCE) dataset. Using maximum likelihood, Bayesian, and summary-coalescent based approaches, I analyzed 22 data subsets consisting of 103 ingroup taxa and a maximum of 1.8 million base pairs in 2485 loci. RESULTS The results of this study suggest an origin of Temnothorax at the Eocene-Oligocene transition, concerted transitions to arboreal nesting habits in several clades during the Oligocene, coinciding with ancient global cooling, and several convergent origins of social parasitism in the Miocene and Pliocene. As with other Holarctic taxa, Temnothorax has a history of migration across Beringia during the Miocene. CONCLUSIONS Temnothorax is corroborated as a natural group, and the notion that many of the historical subgeneric and species group concepts are artificial is reinforced. The strict form of Emery's Rule, in which a socially parasitic species is sister to its host species, is not well supported in Temnothorax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Prebus
- Department of Entomology & Nematology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
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25
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Kimber A, Eggleton P. Strong but taxon-specific responses of termites and wood-nesting ants to forest regeneration in Borneo. Biotropica 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Annie Kimber
- Department of Life Sciences; Imperial College London; Silwood Park Campus, Buckhurst Road Ascot SL5 7PY UK
- The Life Sciences Department; the Natural History Museum; Cromwell Road London SW7 5BD UK
| | - Paul Eggleton
- The Life Sciences Department; the Natural History Museum; Cromwell Road London SW7 5BD UK
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26
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Behavior, brain, and morphology in a complex insect society: trait integration and social evolution in the exceptionally polymorphic ant Pheidole rhea. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-017-2396-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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27
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Sarnat EM, Friedman NR, Fischer G, Lecroq-Bennet B, Economo EP. Rise of the spiny ants: diversification, ecology and function of extreme traits in the hyperdiverse genus Pheidole (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blx081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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28
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Nguyen AD, DeNovellis K, Resendez S, Pustilnik JD, Gotelli NJ, Parker JD, Cahan SH. Effects of desiccation and starvation on thermal tolerance and the heat-shock response in forest ants. J Comp Physiol B 2017; 187:1107-1116. [DOI: 10.1007/s00360-017-1101-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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29
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Inordinate Spinescence: Taxonomic Revision and Microtomography of the Pheidole cervicornis Species Group (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156709. [PMID: 27463644 PMCID: PMC4963106 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The ant genus Pheidole—for all of its hyperdiversity and global ubiquity—is remarkably conservative with regard to morphological disparity. A striking exception to this constrained morphology is the spinescent morphotype, which has evolved multiple times across distantly related lineages of Indoaustralian Pheidole. The Pheidole cervicornis group contains perhaps the most extraordinary spinescent forms of all Pheidole. Here we present a taxonomic revision of the P. cervicornis group, and use microtomographic scanning technology to investigate the internal anatomy of the thoracic spines. Our findings suggest the pronotal spines of Pheidole majors, are possibly skeletomuscular adaptations for supporting their disproportionately large heads. The ‘head support hypothesis’ is an alternative to the mechanical defense hypothesis most often used to explain spinescence in ants. The P. cervicornis group is known only from New Guinea and is represented by the following four species, including two described here as new: P. barumtaun Donisthorpe, P. drogon sp. nov., P. cervicornis Emery, and P. viserion sp. nov. The group is most readily identified by the minor worker caste, which has extremely long pronotal spines and strongly bifurcating propodeal spines. The major and minor workers of all species are illustrated with specimen photographs, with the exception of the major worker of P. cervicornis, which is not known.
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30
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Fischer G, Sarnat EM, Economo EP. Revision and Microtomography of the Pheidole knowlesi Group, an Endemic Ant Radiation in Fiji (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae)Myrmicinae). PLoS One 2016; 11:e0158544. [PMID: 27462877 PMCID: PMC4963041 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Fijian islands, a remote archipelago in the southwestern Pacific, are home to a number of spectacular endemic radiations of plants and animals. Unlike most Pacific archipelagos, these evolutionary radiations extend to social insects, including ants. One of the most dramatic examples of ant radiation in Fiji has occurred in the hyperdiverse genus Pheidole. Most of the 17 native Fijian Pheidole belong to one of two species groups that descended from a single colonization, yet have evolved dramatically contrasting morphologies: the spinescent P. roosevelti species group, and the more morphologically conservative P. knowlesi species group. Here we revise the knowlesi group, in light of recent phylogenetic results, and enhanced with modern methods of X-ray microtomography. We recognize six species belonging to this group, including two of which we describe as new: Pheidole caldwelli Mann, Pheidole kava sp. n., Pheidole knowlesi Mann, P. ululevu sp. n., P. vatu Mann, and P. wilsoni Mann. Detailed measurements and descriptions, identification keys, and high-resolution images for queens, major and minor workers are provided. In addition, we include highly detailed 3D surface reconstructions for all available castes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Fischer
- Okinawa Institute of Science & Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan, 904-0495
- * E-mail: ;
| | - Eli M. Sarnat
- Okinawa Institute of Science & Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan, 904-0495
| | - Evan P. Economo
- Okinawa Institute of Science & Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan, 904-0495
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
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Division of labor in complex societies: a new age of conceptual expansion and integrative analysis. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-016-2147-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Holley JAC, Moreau CS, Laird JG, Suarez AV. Subcaste-specific evolution of head size in the ant genusPheidole. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jo-Anne C. Holley
- Department of Entomology; University of Illinois; 320 Morrill Hall 505 S. Goodwin Ave Urbana IL 61801 USA
| | - Corrie S. Moreau
- Department of Science and Education; Center for Integrative Research; Field Museum of Natural History; 1400 South Lake Shore Drive Chicago IL 60605 USA
| | - Joseph G. Laird
- Department of Biochemistry; University of Iowa; 4-403 BSB Iowa City IA 52242 USA
| | - Andrew V. Suarez
- Department of Entomology; University of Illinois; 320 Morrill Hall 505 S. Goodwin Ave Urbana IL 61801 USA
- Department of Animal Biology; University of Illinois; 515 Morrill Hall 505 S. Goodwin Ave Urbana IL 61801 USA
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Visualizing and interacting with large-volume biodiversity data using client–server web-mapping applications: The design and implementation of antmaps.org. ECOL INFORM 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2016.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Sarnat EM, Fischer G, Guénard B, Economo EP. Introduced Pheidole of the world: taxonomy, biology and distribution. Zookeys 2016:1-109. [PMID: 26798286 PMCID: PMC4714327 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.543.6050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study is to provide a detailed taxonomic resource for identifying and studying ants in the genus Pheidole that have established beyond their native ranges. There is an increasing need for systematists to study taxa of specific concern to 21st century environmental, food security and public health challenges. Systematics has an important role to play in both the theoretical and applied disciplines of invasion biology. Few invaders impact terrestrial ecosystems more than ants. Among the world’s 100 worst invasive species is the cosmopolitan and highly destructive Pheidolemegacephala (Fabricius). Accurate identification of Pheidolemegacephala is imperative for the success of screening, management and eradication programs designed to protect native ecosystems from the impacts of this destructive species. However, accurate identification of Pheidole species is difficult because of their taxonomic diversity, dimorphic worker caste and lack of taxonomic resources. Illustrated keys are included, along with the taxonomic history, taxonomic diagnoses, biological notes and risk statements for the 14 most invasive members of the genus. Global distribution maps based on over 14,000 specimen and literature records are presented for each species. These results of this work will facilitate identification of pest species, determination of climatic and habitat requirements, discovery of pest origins, horizon scanning and assessment of invasion pathways. The following new synonym is proposed, with the senior synonym listed first and the junior synonyms in parentheses: Pheidoleindica Mayr (= Pheidoleteneriffana Forel, and its synonyms Pheidoletaina Aguayo and Pheidolevoeltzkowii Forel). Pheidolenavigans Forel, stat. rev., stat. n. is removed from synonymy and elevated to species rank. It is proposed that records of Pheidolemoerens Forel outside of the Mesoamerica and the Caribbean refer instead to Pheidolenavigans or other heterospecific taxa in the Pheidoleflavens species complex. We propose that the names Pheidoleanastasii Emery and Pheidolefloridana Emery have been widely misapplied to North American outdoor records of Pheidolebilimeki Mayr. It is suggested that the synonymy of Pheidolelauta Wheeler be transferred from Pheidolefloridana Emery to Pheidolebilimeki Mayr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli M Sarnat
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 320 Morrill Hall 505 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Georg Fischer
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan, 904-0495
| | - Benoit Guénard
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Evan P Economo
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan, 904-0495; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, 830 N. University St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
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Janda M, Matos-Maraví P, Borovanska M, Zima J, Youngerman E, Pierce NE. Phylogeny and population genetic structure of the ant genus Acropyga (Hymenoptera : Formicidae) in Papua New Guinea. INVERTEBR SYST 2016. [DOI: 10.1071/is14050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Spatial isolation and geological history are important factors in the diversification and population differentiation of species. Here we describe distributional patterns of ants in the genus Acropyga across Papua New Guinea (PNG), a highly biodiverse but little-studied region. We estimate phylogenetic relationships among currently recognised species of Acropyga and assess population genetic structure of the widespread species, A. acutiventris, across lowland areas of the island. We find that species of Acropyga present in PNG diversified during the Pliocene, between six and two million years ago. Most species now exhibit a patchy distribution that does not show a strong signal of geological history. However, the population genetic structure of the widespread species A. acutiventris has been influenced by geography, habitat association and, possibly, historical habitat fragmentation. There is a significant effect of isolation-by-distance within continuous lowland forest, and proximity to Australia has had a larger impact in structuring populations of A. acutiventris in PNG than has the Central Papuan Cordillera. This study is the first to describe population genetic patterns of an ant species in Papua New Guinea.
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Economo EP, Sarnat EM, Janda M, Clouse R, Klimov PB, Fischer G, Blanchard BD, Ramirez LN, Andersen AN, Berman M, Guénard B, Lucky A, Rabeling C, Wilson EO, Knowles LL. Breaking out of biogeographical modules: range expansion and taxon cycles in the hyperdiverse ant genus Pheidole. JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY 2015; 42:2289-2301. [PMID: 27660394 PMCID: PMC5014176 DOI: 10.1111/jbi.12592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
AIM We sought to reconstruct the biogeographical structure and dynamics of a hyperdiverse ant genus, Pheidole, and to test several predictions of the taxon cycle hypothesis. Using large datasets on Pheidole geographical distributions and phylogeny, we (1) inferred patterns of biogeographical modularity (clusters of areas with similar faunal composition), (2) tested whether species in open habitats are more likely to be expanding their range beyond module boundaries, and (3) tested whether there is a bias of lineage flow from high- to low-diversity areas. LOCATION The Old World. METHODS We compiled and jointly analysed a comprehensive database of Pheidole geographical distributions, the ecological affinities of different species, and a multilocus phylogeny of the Old World radiation. We used network modularity methods to infer biogeographical structure in the genus and comparative methods to evaluate the hypotheses. RESULTS The network analysis identified eight biogeographical modules, and a suite of species with anomalous ranges that are statistically more likely to occur in open habitat, supporting the hypothesis that open habitats promote range expansion. Phylogenetic analysis shows evidence for a cascade pattern of colonization from Asia to New Guinea to the Pacific, but no 'upstream' colonization in the reverse direction. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The distributions of Pheidole lineages in the Old World are highly modular, with modules generally corresponding to biogeographical regions inferred in other groups of organisms. However, some lineages have expanded their ranges across module boundaries, and these species are more likely to be adapted to open habitats rather than interior forest. In addition, there is a cascade pattern of dispersal from higher to lower diversity areas during these range expansions. Our findings are consistent with the taxon cycle hypothesis, although they do not rule out alternative interpretations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan P. Economo
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University1919‐1 TanchaOnna‐sonOkinawa904‐0495Japan
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyMuseum of ZoologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Eli M. Sarnat
- Department of EntomologyUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignChicagoILUSA
| | - Milan Janda
- Biology CentreCzech Academy of SciencesČeské BudějoviceCzech Republic
- Department of BiologyUniversity of GuanajuatoGuanajuatoMexico
| | - Ronald Clouse
- Department of Bioinformatics and GenomicsUniversity of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotteNCUSA
| | - Pavel B. Klimov
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyMuseum of ZoologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
- Department of ZoologyTyumen State UniversityTyumenRussia
| | - Georg Fischer
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University1919‐1 TanchaOnna‐sonOkinawa904‐0495Japan
| | - Benjamin D. Blanchard
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyMuseum of ZoologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
- Committee on Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of ChicagoChicagoILUSA
| | - Lizette N. Ramirez
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyMuseum of ZoologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | | | - Maia Berman
- CSIRO Land & Water FlagshipDarwinNTAustralia
| | - Benoit Guénard
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University1919‐1 TanchaOnna‐sonOkinawa904‐0495Japan
| | - Andrea Lucky
- Department of Entomology & NematologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | | | | | - L. Lacey Knowles
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyMuseum of ZoologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
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Lanier HC, Knowles LL. Applying species-tree analyses to deep phylogenetic histories: Challenges and potential suggested from a survey of empirical phylogenetic studies. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2015; 83:191-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2014.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Revised: 08/30/2014] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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