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Richardson TO, Stroeymeyt N, Crespi A, Keller L. Two simple movement mechanisms for spatial division of labour in social insects. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6985. [PMID: 36379933 PMCID: PMC9666475 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34706-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Many animal species divide space into a patchwork of home ranges, yet there is little consensus on the mechanisms individuals use to maintain fidelity to particular locations. Theory suggests that animal movement could be based upon simple behavioural rules that use local information such as olfactory deposits, or global strategies, such as long-range biases toward landmarks. However, empirical studies have rarely attempted to distinguish between these mechanisms. Here, we perform individual tracking experiments on four species of social insects, and find that colonies consist of different groups of workers that inhabit separate but partially-overlapping spatial zones. Our trajectory analysis and simulations suggest that worker movement is consistent with two local mechanisms: one in which workers increase movement diffusivity outside their primary zone, and another in which workers modulate turning behaviour when approaching zone boundaries. Parallels with other organisms suggest that local mechanisms might represent a universal method for spatial partitioning in animal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas O. Richardson
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland ,grid.5337.20000 0004 1936 7603School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Nathalie Stroeymeyt
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland ,grid.5337.20000 0004 1936 7603School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Alessandro Crespi
- grid.5333.60000000121839049Biorobotics Laboratory (BioRob), Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Keller
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Meza‐Lázaro RN, Peña‐Carrillo KI, Poteaux C, Lorenzi MC, Wetterer JK, Zaldívar‐Riverón A. Genome and cuticular hydrocarbon-based species delimitation shed light on potential drivers of speciation in a Neotropical ant species complex. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8704. [PMID: 35342602 PMCID: PMC8928884 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Geographic separation that leads to the evolution of reproductive isolation between populations generally is considered the most common form of speciation. However, speciation may also occur in the absence of geographic barriers due to phenotypic and genotypic factors such as chemical cue divergence, mating signal divergence, and mitonuclear conflict. Here, we performed an integrative study based on two genome-wide techniques (3RAD and ultraconserved elements) coupled with cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) and mitochondrial (mt) DNA sequence data, to assess the species limits within the Ectatomma ruidum species complex, a widespread and conspicuous group of Neotropical ants for which heteroplasmy (i.e., presence of multiple mtDNA variants in an individual) has been recently discovered in some populations from southeast Mexico. Our analyses indicate the existence of at least five distinct species in this complex: two widely distributed across the Neotropics, and three that are restricted to southeast Mexico and that apparently have high levels of heteroplasmy. We found that species boundaries in the complex did not coincide with geographic barriers. We therefore consider possible roles of alternative drivers that may have promoted the observed patterns of speciation, including mitonuclear incompatibility, CHC differentiation, and colony structure. Our study highlights the importance of simultaneously assessing different sources of evidence to disentangle the species limits of taxa with complicated evolutionary histories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubi N. Meza‐Lázaro
- Colección Nacional de InsectosInstituto de BiologíaUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCiudad de MéxicoMéxico
| | - Kenzy I. Peña‐Carrillo
- Laboratoire d’Ethologie Expérimentale et ComparéeUR 4443LEECUniversité Sorbonne Paris NordClémentFrance
- INIFAPCampo Experimental General TeránGeneral TeránMexico
| | - Chantal Poteaux
- Laboratoire d’Ethologie Expérimentale et ComparéeUR 4443LEECUniversité Sorbonne Paris NordClémentFrance
| | - Maria Cristina Lorenzi
- Laboratoire d’Ethologie Expérimentale et ComparéeUR 4443LEECUniversité Sorbonne Paris NordClémentFrance
| | - James K. Wetterer
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors CollegeFlorida Atlantic UniversityJupiterFloridaUSA
| | - Alejandro Zaldívar‐Riverón
- Colección Nacional de InsectosInstituto de BiologíaUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCiudad de MéxicoMéxico
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Feng T, Charbonneau D, Qiu Z, Kang Y. Dynamics of task allocation in social insect colonies: scaling effects of colony size versus work activities. J Math Biol 2021; 82:42. [PMID: 33779857 DOI: 10.1007/s00285-021-01589-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms through which work is organized are central to understanding how complex systems function. Previous studies suggest that task organization can emerge via nonlinear dynamical processes wherein individuals interact and modify their behavior through simple rules. However, there is very limited theory about how those processes are shaped by behavioral variation within social groups. In this work, we propose an adaptive modeling framework on task allocation by incorporating variation both in task performance and task-related metabolic rates. We study the scaling effects of colony size on the resting probability as well as task allocation. We also numerically explore the effects of stochastic noise on task allocation in social insect colonies. Our theoretical and numerical results show that: (a) changes in colony size can regulate the probability of colony resting and the allocation of tasks, and the direction of regulation depends on the nonlinear metabolic scaling effects of tasks; (b) increased response thresholds may cause colonies to rest in varied patterns such as periodicity. In this case, we observed an interesting bubble phenomenon in the task allocation of social insect colonies for the first time; (c) stochastic noise can cause work activities and task demand to fluctuate within a range, where the amplitude of the fluctuation is positively correlated with the intensity of noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Feng
- Department of Mathematics, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, People's Republic of China.,Sciences and Mathematics Faculty, College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Arizona State University, Mesa, AZ, 85212, USA
| | - Daniel Charbonneau
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Zhipeng Qiu
- Department of Mathematics, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Kang
- Sciences and Mathematics Faculty, College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Arizona State University, Mesa, AZ, 85212, USA.
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Ant behavioral maturation is mediated by a stochastic transition between two fundamental states. Curr Biol 2021; 31:2253-2260.e3. [PMID: 33730550 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.05.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The remarkable ecological success of social insects is often attributed to their advanced division of labor, which is closely associated with temporal polyethism in which workers transition between different tasks as they age. Young nurses are typically found deep within the nest where they tend to the queen and the brood, whereas older foragers are found near the entrance and outside the nest.1-3 However, the individual-level maturation dynamics remain poorly understood because following individuals over relevant timescales is difficult; hence, previous experimental studies used same-age cohort designs.4-15 To address this, we used an automated tracking system to follow >500 individuals over >100 days and constructed networks of physical contacts to provide a continuous measure of worker social maturity. These analyses revealed that most workers occupied one of two steady states, namely a low-maturity nurse state and a high-maturity forager state, with the remaining workers rapidly transitioning between these states. There was considerable variation in the age at transition, and, surprisingly, the transition probability was age independent. This suggests that the transition is largely stochastic rather than a hard-wired age-dependent physiological change. Despite the variation in timing, the transition dynamics were highly stereotyped. Transitioning workers moved from the nurse to the forager state according to an S-shaped trajectory, and only began foraging after completing the transition. Stochastic switching, which occurs in many other biological systems, may provide ant colonies with robustness to extrinsic perturbations by allowing the colony to decouple its division of labor from its demography.
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Fujioka H, Okada Y, Abe MS. Bipartite network analysis of ant-task associations reveals task groups and absence of colonial daily activity. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:201637. [PMID: 33614094 PMCID: PMC7890512 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.201637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Social insects are one of the best examples of complex self-organized systems exhibiting task allocation. How task allocation is achieved is the most fascinating question in behavioural ecology and complex systems science. However, it is difficult to comprehensively characterize task allocation patterns due to behavioural complexity, such as the individual variation, context dependency and chronological variation. Thus, it is imperative to quantify individual behaviours and integrate them into colony levels. Here, we applied bipartite network analyses to characterize individual-behaviour relationships. We recorded the behaviours of all individuals with verified age in ant colonies and analysed the individual-behaviour relationship at the individual, module and network levels. Bipartite network analysis successfully detected the module structures, illustrating that certain individuals performed a subset of behaviours (i.e. task groups). We confirmed age polyethism by comparing age between modules. Additionally, to test the daily rhythm of the executed tasks, the data were partitioned between daytime and nighttime, and a bipartite network was re-constructed. This analysis supported that there was no daily rhythm in the tasks performed. These findings suggested that bipartite network analyses could untangle complex task allocation patterns and provide insights into understanding the division of labour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruna Fujioka
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto-cho, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
| | - Yasukazu Okada
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minamiosawa, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masato S. Abe
- Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, RIKEN, Nihonbashi 1-chome Mitsui Building, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan
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Rocha FH, Lachaud JP, Hénaut Y, Pozo C, Pérez-Lachaud G. Nest Site Selection during Colony Relocation in Yucatan Peninsula Populations of the Ponerine Ants Neoponera villosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11030200. [PMID: 32210098 PMCID: PMC7143209 DOI: 10.3390/insects11030200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In the Yucatan Peninsula, the ponerine ant Neoponera villosa nests almost exclusively in tank bromeliads, Aechmea bracteata. In this study, we aimed to determine the factors influencing nest site selection during nest relocation which is regularly promoted by hurricanes in this area. Using ants with and without previous experience of Ae. bracteata, we tested their preference for refuges consisting of Ae. bracteata leaves over two other bromeliads, Ae. bromeliifolia and Ananas comosus. We further evaluated bromeliad-associated traits that could influence nest site selection (form and size). Workers with and without previous contact with Ae. bracteata significantly preferred this species over others, suggesting the existence of an innate attraction to this bromeliad. However, preference was not influenced by previous contact with Ae. bracteata. Workers easily discriminated between shelters of Ae. bracteata and A. comosus, but not those of the closely related Ae. bromeliifolia. In marked contrast, ants discriminated between similar sized Ae. bracteata and Ae. bromeliifolia plants, suggesting that chemical cues and plant structure play an important role. Size was also significant as they selected the largest plant when provided two dissimilar Ae. bracteata plants. Nest site selection by N. villosa workers seems to depend on innate preferences but familiarization with plant stimuli is not excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franklin H. Rocha
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Conservación de la Biodiversidad, Avenida Centenario km 5.5, Chetumal 77014, Quintana Roo, Mexico; (F.H.R.); (J.-P.L.); (Y.H.); (C.P.)
| | - Jean-Paul Lachaud
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Conservación de la Biodiversidad, Avenida Centenario km 5.5, Chetumal 77014, Quintana Roo, Mexico; (F.H.R.); (J.-P.L.); (Y.H.); (C.P.)
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale (CRCA), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse; CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Yann Hénaut
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Conservación de la Biodiversidad, Avenida Centenario km 5.5, Chetumal 77014, Quintana Roo, Mexico; (F.H.R.); (J.-P.L.); (Y.H.); (C.P.)
| | - Carmen Pozo
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Conservación de la Biodiversidad, Avenida Centenario km 5.5, Chetumal 77014, Quintana Roo, Mexico; (F.H.R.); (J.-P.L.); (Y.H.); (C.P.)
| | - Gabriela Pérez-Lachaud
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Conservación de la Biodiversidad, Avenida Centenario km 5.5, Chetumal 77014, Quintana Roo, Mexico; (F.H.R.); (J.-P.L.); (Y.H.); (C.P.)
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Fujioka H, Okada Y. Liquid exchange via stomodeal trophallaxis in the ponerine ant Diacamma sp. from Japan. J ETHOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10164-019-00602-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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8
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Kohlmeier P, Negroni MA, Kever M, Emmling S, Stypa H, Feldmeyer B, Foitzik S. Intrinsic worker mortality depends on behavioral caste and the queens' presence in a social insect. Naturwissenschaften 2017; 104:34. [PMID: 28353195 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-017-1452-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
According to the classic life history theory, selection for longevity depends on age-dependant extrinsic mortality and fecundity. In social insects, the common life history trade-off between fecundity and longevity appears to be reversed, as the most fecund individual, the queen, often exceeds workers in lifespan several fold. But does fecundity directly affect intrinsic mortality also in social insect workers? And what is the effect of task on worker mortality? Here, we studied how social environment and behavioral caste affect intrinsic mortality of ant workers. We compared worker survival between queenless and queenright Temnothorax longispinosus nests and demonstrate that workers survive longer under the queens' absence. Temnothorax ant workers fight over reproduction when the queen is absent and dominant workers lay eggs. Worker fertility might therefore increase lifespan, possibly due to a positive physiological link between fecundity and longevity, or better care for fertile workers. In social insects, division of labor among workers is age-dependant with young workers caring for the brood and old ones going out to forage. We therefore expected nurses to survive longer than foragers, which is what we found. Surprisingly, inactive inside workers showed a lower survival than nurses but comparable to that of foragers. The reduced longevity of inactive workers could be due to them being older than the nurses, or due to a positive effect of activity on lifespan. Overall, our study points to behavioral caste-dependent intrinsic mortality rates and a positive association between fertility and longevity not only in queens but also in ant workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Kohlmeier
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Johannes von Müller Weg 6, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Matteo Antoine Negroni
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Johannes von Müller Weg 6, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Marion Kever
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Johannes von Müller Weg 6, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefanie Emmling
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Johannes von Müller Weg 6, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Heike Stypa
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Johannes von Müller Weg 6, 55128, Mainz, 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, 55128, Mainz, Germany
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Hasegawa E, Ishii Y, Tada K, Kobayashi K, Yoshimura J. Lazy workers are necessary for long-term sustainability in insect societies. Sci Rep 2016; 6:20846. [PMID: 26880339 PMCID: PMC4754661 DOI: 10.1038/srep20846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Optimality theory predicts the maximization of productivity in social insect colonies, but many inactive workers are found in ant colonies. Indeed, the low short-term productivity of ant colonies is often the consequence of high variation among workers in the threshold to respond to task-related stimuli. Why is such an inefficient strategy among colonies maintained by natural selection? Here, we show that inactive workers are necessary for the long-term sustainability of a colony. Our simulation shows that colonies with variable thresholds persist longer than those with invariable thresholds because inactive workers perform the critical function of replacing active workers when they become fatigued. Evidence of the replacement of active workers by inactive workers has been found in ant colonies. Thus, the presence of inactive workers increases the long-term persistence of the colony at the expense of decreasing short-term productivity. Inactive workers may represent a bet-hedging strategy in response to environmental stochasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eisuke Hasegawa
- Laboratory of Animal Ecology, Department of Ecology and Systematics, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan
| | - Yasunori Ishii
- Laboratory of Animal Ecology, Department of Ecology and Systematics, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan
| | - Koichiro Tada
- Laboratory of Animal Ecology, Department of Ecology and Systematics, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan
| | - Kazuya Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Animal Ecology, Department of Ecology and Systematics, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan
| | - Jin Yoshimura
- Graduate School of Science and Technology and Department of Mathematical and Systems Engineering, Shizuoka University, 3-5-1 Johoku, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu 432-8561, Japan
- Marine Biosystems Research Center, Chiba University, Uchiura, Kamogawa, Chiba 299-5502, Japan
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY13210 USA
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When doing nothing is something. How task allocation strategies compromise between flexibility, efficiency, and inactive agents. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10818-015-9205-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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11
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Charbonneau D, Dornhaus A. Workers ‘specialized’ on inactivity: Behavioral consistency of inactive workers and their role in task allocation. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-015-1958-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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12
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Rocha FH, Lachaud JP, Valle-Mora J, Pérez-Lachaud G. Fine Individual Specialization and Elitism among Workers of the AntEctatomma tuberculatumfor a Highly Specific Task: Intruder Removal. Ethology 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Franklin H. Rocha
- Conservación de la Biodiversidad; El Colegio de la Frontera Sur; Chetumal Quintana Roo Mexico
| | - Jean-Paul Lachaud
- Conservación de la Biodiversidad; El Colegio de la Frontera Sur; Chetumal Quintana Roo Mexico
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale; CNRS-UMR 5169; Université de Toulouse UPS; Toulouse Cedex 09 France
| | | | - Gabriela Pérez-Lachaud
- Conservación de la Biodiversidad; El Colegio de la Frontera Sur; Chetumal Quintana Roo Mexico
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Perveen F, Shah M. Nest Architectural Patterns by Three Wasp Species ( Vespa velutina, Polistes flavus and Sceliphron formosum) with Reference to Their Behavior. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE 2013; 5:IJIS.S10737. [PMID: 35241947 PMCID: PMC8848086 DOI: 10.4137/ijis.s10737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, the nest architectural patterns, elemental analysis and their behavior were carried out in three wasp species: Vespa velutina (Lepeletier), Polistes flavus (Cresson) and Sceliphron formosum (Smith) from the different localities of the Mansehra, Pakistan. The V. velutina nest was completely closed except for one opening for entry or exit with 1-10 layers of hexagonal cells inside the nest. The nests of P. flavus were found among bunches of leaves of trees with 1-5 layers and hexagonal cells same as in V. velutina. Nests of the S. formosum were pitcher-shaped, found in muddy places, and consisted of 1-10 cells. Social behavior of wasps showed strong foraging, defensive behaviors, pseudo-attack, subsequent erratic flight, wing buzzing, mandibular pecking, abdominal pumping and abdominal twisting with highly developed parental care. It was concluded that the behaviors of these 3 wasp species was highly developed as compared with other insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzana Perveen
- Department of Zoology, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University (SBBU), Main Campus, Sheringal, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan
| | - Muzafar Shah
- Department of Zoology, Hazara University, Garden Campus, Mansehra, Pakistan
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14
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Santana Vieira A, Desidério Fernandes W, Fernando Antonialli-Junior W. Temporal polyethism, life expectancy, and entropy of workers of the ant Ectatomma vizottoi Almeida, 1987 (Formicidae: Ectatomminae). Acta Ethol 2010; 13:23-31. [PMID: 21841891 PMCID: PMC3150818 DOI: 10.1007/s10211-010-0069-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2009] [Revised: 02/04/2010] [Accepted: 04/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the changes in the behavioral repertoire over the course of life and determined the life expectancy and entropy of workers of the ant Ectatomma vizottoi. Newly emerged ants were individually marked with model airplane paint for observation of behaviors and determination of the age and life expectancy. Ants were divided into two groups: young and old workers. The 36 behaviors observed were divided into eight categories. Workers exhibit a clear division of tasks throughout their lives, with young workers performing more tasks inside the colony and old workers, outside, unlike species that have small colonies. This species also exhibits an intermediate life expectancy compared to workers of other species that are also intermediary in size. This supports the hypothesis of a relationship between size and maximum life expectancy, but it also suggests that other factors may also be acting in concert. Entropy value shows a high mortality rate during the first life intervals.
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Chandrashekara K, Gadagkar R. Behavioural Castes, Dominance and Division of Labour in a Primitively Eusocial Wasp. Ethology 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1991.tb00252.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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16
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Errard C, Fresneau D, Heinze J, Francoeur A, Lenoir A. Social Organization in the Guest-ant Formicoxenus provancheri. Ethology 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1997.tb00014.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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17
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Theraulaz G, Gervet J, Thon B, Pratte M, Semenoff-Tian-Chanski S. The Dynamics of Colony Organization in the Primitively Eusocial Wasp Polistes dominulus Christ. Ethology 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1992.tb00862.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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18
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Thomas ML, Elgar MA. Colony size affects division of labour in the ponerine ant Rhytidoponera metallica. THE SCIENCE OF NATURE - NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN 2003; 90:88-92. [PMID: 12590305 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-002-0396-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2002] [Accepted: 12/03/2002] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In theory, larger colonies of social insects should have greater colony organisation. While inter-specific comparative studies provide support for this idea, there is little direct intra-specific evidence. We investigated differences in task specialisation between large (>450 workers) and small (<80 workers) colonies of the ponerine ant Rhytidoponera metallica. Observations of individually marked young or old workers revealed greater task specialisation in large colonies. Age polyethism was detected in large but not small colonies. In large colonies, old workers spent significantly more time foraging than young workers did, while young workers spent more time caring for brood. In small colonies, young and old workers spent a similar amount of time foraging and caring for brood. This difference in task allocation patterns in large and small colonies was associated with a difference in contact rates between workers. Workers in small colonies have a lower contact rate between nestmates and a greater variability in time between contacts than workers from large colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa L Thomas
- Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, 3010, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Villet MH, Wildman MH. Division of labour in the obligately queenless antPachycondyla (= Bothroponera) krugeriForel 1910 (Hymenoptera Formicidae). TROPICAL ZOOLOGY 1991. [DOI: 10.1080/03946975.1991.10539492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Villet MH. Reproduction and division of labour inPlatythyreacf.cribrinodis(Gerstaecker 1858) (Hymenoptera Formicidae): comparisons of individuals, colonies and species. TROPICAL ZOOLOGY 1991. [DOI: 10.1080/03946975.1991.10539491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Corbara B, Errard C. The organization of artificial heterospecific ant colonies. The case of the Manica rubida/Formica selysi association: mixed colony or parallel colonies? Behav Processes 1991; 23:75-87. [DOI: 10.1016/0376-6357(91)90107-b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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