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Su J, Liu W, Hu F, Miao P, Xing L, Hua Y. The Distribution Pattern and Species Richness of Scorpionflies (Mecoptera: Panorpidae). INSECTS 2023; 14:332. [PMID: 37103147 PMCID: PMC10146745 DOI: 10.3390/insects14040332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The uneven distribution of species diversity on earth, with mountainous regions housing half of the high species diversity areas, makes mountain ecosystems vital to biodiversity conservation. The Panorpidae are ecological indicators, ideal for studying the impact of climate change on potential insect distribution. This study examines the impact of environmental factors on the distribution of the Panorpidae and analyzes how their distribution has changed over three historical periods, the Last Interglacial (LIG), the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), and Current. The MaxEnt model is used to predict the potential distribution area of Panorpidae based on global distribution data. The results show that precipitation and elevation are the primary factors affecting species richness, and the suitable areas for Panorpidae are distributed in southeastern North America, Europe, and southeastern Asia. Throughout the three historical periods, there was an initial increase followed by a decrease in the area of suitable habitats. During the LGM period, there was a maximum range of suitable habitats for cool-adapted insects, such as scorpionflies. Under the scenarios of global warming, the suitable habitats for Panorpidae would shrink, posing a challenge to the conservation of biodiversity. The study provides insights into the potential geographic range of Panorpidae and helps understand the impact of climate change on their distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Su
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Wanjing Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Fangcheng Hu
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Panpan Miao
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Lianxi Xing
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Northwest University), Ministry of Education, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Yuan Hua
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
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Chowdhury S, Jennions MD, Zalucki MP, Maron M, Watson JEM, Fuller RA. Protected areas and the future of insect conservation. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:85-95. [PMID: 36208964 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Anthropogenic pressures are driving insect declines across the world. Although protected areas (PAs) play a prominent role in safeguarding many vertebrate species from human-induced threats, insects are not widely considered when designing PA systems or building strategies for PA management. We review the effectiveness of PAs for insect conservation and find substantial taxonomic and geographic gaps in knowledge. Most research focuses on the representation of species, and few studies assess threats to insects or the role that effective PA management can play in insect conservation. We propose a four-step research agenda to help ensure that insects are central in efforts to expand the global PA network under the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawan Chowdhury
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Straße 159, 07743 Jena, Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Department of Ecosystem Services, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Michael D Jennions
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
| | - Myron P Zalucki
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Martine Maron
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - James E M Watson
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Richard A Fuller
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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3
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Liu T, Liu H, Tong J, Yang Y. Habitat suitability of neotenic net‐winged beetles (Coleoptera: Lycidae) in China using combined ecological models, with implications for biological conservation. DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tong Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application School of Life Science Institute of Life Science and Green Development Hebei University Baoding China
| | - Haoyu Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application School of Life Science Institute of Life Science and Green Development Hebei University Baoding China
| | - Junbo Tong
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application School of Life Science Institute of Life Science and Green Development Hebei University Baoding China
| | - Yuxia Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application School of Life Science Institute of Life Science and Green Development Hebei University Baoding China
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The Microbiome of the Maculinea-Myrmica Host-Parasite Interaction. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8048. [PMID: 31142780 PMCID: PMC6541603 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44514-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Maculinea (=Phengaris) are endangered butterflies that are characterized by a very complex biological cycle. Maculinea larvae behave as obligate parasites whose survival is strictly dependent on both particular food plants and species-specific Myrmica ants. In this interaction, Maculinea caterpillars induce Myrmica workers to retrieve and rear them in the nest by chemical and acoustic deception. Social insect symbiotic microorganisms play a key role in intraspecific and interspecific communication; therefore, it is possible that the Maculinea caterpillar microbiome might be involved in the chemical cross-talk by producing deceptive semiochemicals for host ants. To address this point, the microbiota of Maculinea alcon at different larval stages (phytophagous early larvae, intermediate larvae, carnivorous late larvae) was analyzed by using 16S rRNA-guided metabarcoding approach and compared to that of the host ant Myrmica scabrinodis. Structural and deduced functional profiles of the microbial communities were recorded, which were used to identify specific groups of microorganisms that may be involved in the chemical cross-talk. One of the most notable features was the presence in all larval stages and in the ants of two bacteria, Serratia marcescens and S. entomophila, which are involved in the chemical cross-talk between the microbes and their hosts.
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Kovács-Hostyánszki A, Espíndola A, Vanbergen AJ, Settele J, Kremen C, Dicks LV. Ecological intensification to mitigate impacts of conventional intensive land use on pollinators and pollination. Ecol Lett 2017; 20:673-689. [PMID: 28346980 PMCID: PMC6849539 DOI: 10.1111/ele.12762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Worldwide, human appropriation of ecosystems is disrupting plant–pollinator communities and pollination function through habitat conversion and landscape homogenisation. Conversion to agriculture is destroying and degrading semi‐natural ecosystems while conventional land‐use intensification (e.g. industrial management of large‐scale monocultures with high chemical inputs) homogenises landscape structure and quality. Together, these anthropogenic processes reduce the connectivity of populations and erode floral and nesting resources to undermine pollinator abundance and diversity, and ultimately pollination services. Ecological intensification of agriculture represents a strategic alternative to ameliorate these drivers of pollinator decline while supporting sustainable food production, by promoting biodiversity beneficial to agricultural production through management practices such as intercropping, crop rotations, farm‐level diversification and reduced agrochemical use. We critically evaluate its potential to address and reverse the land use and management trends currently degrading pollinator communities and potentially causing widespread pollination deficits. We find that many of the practices that constitute ecological intensification can contribute to mitigating the drivers of pollinator decline. Our findings support ecological intensification as a solution to pollinator declines, and we discuss ways to promote it in agricultural policy and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anikó Kovács-Hostyánszki
- MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Lendület Ecosystem Services Research Group, Alkotmány u. 2-4., 2163, Vácrátót, Hungary.,MTA Centre for Ecological Research, GINOP Sustainable Ecosystems Group, Klebelsberg Kuno u. 3., 8237, Tihany, Hungary
| | - Anahí Espíndola
- Department of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences South 252, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844-3051, USA
| | - Adam J Vanbergen
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Edinburgh EH26 0QB, UK
| | - Josef Settele
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Dept. of Community Ecology, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, 06120 Halle, Germany.,iDiv, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research, Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Banos, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines
| | - Claire Kremen
- University of California, 217 Wellman Hall Berkeley, California 94720-3114 CA, USA
| | - Lynn V Dicks
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
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Chaianunporn T, Hovestadt T. Evolutionary responses to climate change in parasitic systems. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2015; 21:2905-2916. [PMID: 25857843 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Species may respond to climate change in many ecological and evolutionary ways. In this simulation study, we focus on the concurrent evolution of three traits in response to climate change, namely dispersal probability, temperature tolerance (or niche width), and temperature preference (optimal habitat). More specifically, we consider evolutionary responses in host species involved in different types of interaction, that is parasitism or commensalism, and for low or high costs of a temperature tolerance-fertility trade-off (cost of generalization). We find that host species potentially evolve all three traits simultaneously in response to increasing temperature but that the evolutionary response interacts and may be compensatory depending on the conditions. The evolutionary adjustment of temperature preference is slower in the parasitism than in commensalism scenario. Parasitism, in turn, selects for higher temperature tolerance and increased dispersal. High costs for temperature tolerance (i.e. generalization) restrict evolution of tolerance and thus lead to a faster response in temperature preference than that observed under low costs. These results emphasize the possible role of biotic interactions and the importance of 'multidimensional' evolutionary responses to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thotsapol Chaianunporn
- Biozentrum, Field Station Fabrikschleichach, University of Würzburg, Glashüttenstrasse 5, 96181, Rauhenebrach, Germany
| | - Thomas Hovestadt
- Biozentrum, Field Station Fabrikschleichach, University of Würzburg, Glashüttenstrasse 5, 96181, Rauhenebrach, Germany
- Department of Biology (TEREC), Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000, Gent, Belgium
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Niche overlap and host specificity in parasitic Maculinea butterflies (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) as a measure for potential extinction risks under climate change. ORG DIVERS EVOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s13127-015-0210-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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8
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Pavoine S, Baguette M, Stevens VM, Leibold MA, Turlure C, Bonsall MB. Life history traits, but not phylogeny, drive compositional patterns in a butterfly metacommunity. Ecology 2014. [DOI: 10.1890/13-2036.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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9
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Pérez-Lachaud G, Lachaud JP. Arboreal ant colonies as 'hot-points' of cryptic diversity for myrmecophiles: the weaver ant Camponotus sp. aff. textor and its interaction network with its associates. PLoS One 2014; 9:e100155. [PMID: 24941047 PMCID: PMC4062527 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Systematic surveys of macrofaunal diversity within ant colonies are lacking, particularly for ants nesting in microhabitats that are difficult to sample. Species associated with ants are generally small and rarely collected organisms, which makes them more likely to be unnoticed. We assumed that this tendency is greater for arthropod communities in microhabitats with low accessibility, such as those found in the nests of arboreal ants that may constitute a source of cryptic biodiversity. MATERIALS AND METHODS We investigated the invertebrate diversity associated with an undescribed, but already threatened, Neotropical Camponotus weaver ant. As most of the common sampling methods used in studies of ant diversity are not suited for evaluating myrmecophile diversity within ant nests, we evaluated the macrofauna within ant nests through exhaustive colony sampling of three nests and examination of more than 80,000 individuals. RESULTS We identified invertebrates from three classes belonging to 18 taxa, some of which were new to science, and recorded the first instance of the co-occurrence of two brood parasitoid wasp families attacking the same ant host colony. This diversity of ant associates corresponded to a highly complex interaction network. Agonistic interactions prevailed, but the prevalence of myrmecophiles was remarkably low. CONCLUSIONS Our data support the hypothesis of the evolution of low virulence in a variety of symbionts associated with large insect societies. Because most myrmecophiles found in this work are rare, strictly specific, and exhibit highly specialized biology, the risk of extinction for these hitherto unknown invertebrates and their natural enemies is high. The cryptic, far unappreciated diversity within arboreal ant nests in areas at high risk of habitat loss qualifies these nests as 'hot-points' of biodiversity that urgently require special attention as a component of conservation and management programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Pérez-Lachaud
- Departamento Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Jean-Paul Lachaud
- Departamento 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, France
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Tartally A, Koschuh A, Varga Z. The re-discovered Maculinea rebeli (Hirschke, 1904): Host ant usage, parasitoid and initial food plant around the type locality with taxonomical aspects (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae). Zookeys 2014:25-40. [PMID: 24843280 PMCID: PMC4023245 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.406.7124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The taxonomy of the myrmecophilous Maculinea alcon group (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) is highly debated. The host-plant and host-ant usage of these butterflies have conventionally been important in their identification. Maculinea 'rebeli' has generally been considered to be the xerophilous form of Ma. alcon (Ma. alcon X hereafter) with Gentiana cruciata as initial food plant. However, the type locality and all other known sites of Ma. rebeli are found above the coniferous zone, and are well separated from the lower regions where Ma. alcon X sites are found. Furthermore, no food plant and host ant data for the nominotypic Ma. rebeli have yet been published. Our aim was therefore to identify the host ant(s) of Ma. rebeli around the type locality and compare this with the host ant usage of nearby Ma. alcon X. Nests of Myrmica spp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) close to the host plants were opened on one Ma. alcon X (host plant: Gentiana cruciata) and two Ma. rebeli (host plant: Gentianella rhaetica, first record, confirmed by oviposition and emerging larvae) sites just before the flying period, to find prepupal larvae and pupae. Three Myrmica species (My. lobulicornis, My. ruginodis, My. sulcinodis) were found on the two Ma. rebeli sites, which parasitized exclusively My. sulcinodis (22 individuals in 7 nests). On the Ma. alcon X site Myrmica sabuleti and My. lonae were found, with My. sabuleti the exclusive host (51 individuals in 10 nests). Ichneumon cf. eumerus parasitized both butterflies. The results highlight the differentiation of Maculinea rebeli from Ma. alcon X, from both conservation biological and ecological points of view. Thus, it should be concluded that Ma. rebeli does not simply represent an individual form of Ma. alcon but it can be considered as at least an ecological form adapted to high mountain conditions both in its initial food plant and host ant species. In addition, it should be emphasized that Ma. alcon X (= Ma. rebeli auct. nec Hirschke) cannot be synonymised with Ma. rebeli (Hirschke, 1904).
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Affiliation(s)
- András Tartally
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | | | - Zoltán Varga
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
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11
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Schweiger O, Harpke A, Wiemers M, Settele J. CLIMBER: Climatic niche characteristics of the butterflies in Europe. Zookeys 2014:65-84. [PMID: 24478578 PMCID: PMC3904140 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.367.6185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2013] [Accepted: 11/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Detailed information on species’ ecological niche characteristics that can be related to declines and extinctions is indispensable for a better understanding of the relationship between the occurrence and performance of wild species and their environment and, moreover, for an improved assessment of the impacts of global change. Knowledge on species characteristics such as habitat requirements is already available in the ecological literature for butterflies, but information about their climatic requirements is still lacking. Here we present a unique dataset on the climatic niche characteristics of 397 European butterflies representing 91% of the European species (see Appendix). These characteristics were obtained by combining detailed information on butterfly distributions in Europe (which also led to the ‘Distribution Atlas of Butterflies in Europe’) and the corresponding climatic conditions. The presented dataset comprises information for the position and breadth of the following climatic niche characteristics: mean annual temperature, range in annual temperature, growing degree days, annual precipitation sum, range in annual precipitation and soil water content. The climatic niche position is indicated by the median and mean value for each climate variable across a species’ range, accompanied by the 95% confidence interval for the mean and the number of grid cells used for calculations. Climatic niche breadth is indicated by the standard deviation and the minimum and maximum values for each climatic variable across a species’ range. Database compilation was based on high quality standards and the data are ready to use for a broad range of applications. It is already evident that the information provided in this dataset is of great relevance for basic and applied ecology. Based on the species temperature index (STI, i.e. the mean temperature value per species), the community temperature index (CTI, i.e. the average STI value across the species in a community) was recently adopted as an indicator of climate change impact on biodiversity by the pan-European framework supporting the Convention on Biological Diversity (Streamlining European Biodiversity Indicators 2010) and has already been used in several scientific publications. The application potential of this database ranges from theoretical aspects such as assessments of past niche evolution or analyses of trait interdependencies to the very applied aspects of measuring, monitoring and projecting historical, ongoing and potential future responses to climate change using butterflies as an indicator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Schweiger
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Community Ecology, Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Alexander Harpke
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Community Ecology, Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Martin Wiemers
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Community Ecology, Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Josef Settele
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Community Ecology, Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4, 06120 Halle, Germany ; iDiv, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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12
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Casacci LP, Barbero F, Balletto E. The “Evolutionarily Significant Unit” concept and its applicability in biological conservation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/11250003.2013.870240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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13
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Biodiversity: Safeguard species in warming flatlands. Nature 2013; 502:303. [PMID: 24132280 DOI: 10.1038/502303c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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14
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Settele
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research–UFZ, 06120 Halle, Germany and iDiv, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Joachim H. Spangenberg
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research–UFZ, 06120 Halle, Germany and iDiv, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Thomas JA, Elmes GW, Sielezniew M, Stankiewicz-Fiedurek A, Simcox DJ, Settele J, Schönrogge K. Mimetic host shifts in an endangered social parasite of ants. Proc Biol Sci 2013. [PMID: 23193127 PMCID: PMC3574407 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2012.2336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
An emerging problem in conservation is whether listed morpho-species with broad distributions, yet specialized lifestyles, consist of more than one cryptic species or functionally distinct forms that have different ecological requirements. We describe extreme regional divergence within an iconic endangered butterfly, whose socially parasitic young stages use non-visual, non-tactile cues to infiltrate and supplant the brood in ant societies. Although indistinguishable morphologically or when using current mitochondrial and nuclear sequence-, or microsatellite data, Maculinea rebeli from Spain and southeast Poland exploit different Myrmica ant species and experience 100 per cent mortality with each other's hosts. This reflects major differences in the hydrocarbons synthesized from each region by the larvae, which so closely mimic the recognition profiles of their respective hosts that nurse ants afford each parasite a social status above that of their own kin larvae. The two host ants occupy separate niches within grassland; thus, conservation management must differ in each region. Similar cryptic differentiation may be common, yet equally hard to detect, among the approximately 10 000 unstudied morpho-species of social parasite that are estimated to exist, many of which are Red Data Book listed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy A Thomas
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK.
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Witek M, Casacci LP, Barbero F, Patricelli D, Sala M, Bossi S, Maffei M, Woyciechowski M, Balletto E, Bonelli S. Interspecific relationships in co-occurring populations of social parasites and their host ants. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Witek
- Museum and Institute of Zoology; Polish Academy of Sciences; Wilcza 64; 00-679; Warszawa; Poland
| | - Luca Pietro Casacci
- Zoology Unit; Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Turin; Via Accademia Albertina 13; 10123; Torino; Italy
| | - Francesca Barbero
- Zoology Unit; Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Turin; Via Accademia Albertina 13; 10123; Torino; Italy
| | - Dario Patricelli
- Zoology Unit; Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Turin; Via Accademia Albertina 13; 10123; Torino; Italy
| | - Marco Sala
- Zoology Unit; Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Turin; Via Accademia Albertina 13; 10123; Torino; Italy
| | - Simone Bossi
- Plant Physiology Unit; Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Turin; Innovation Centre, Via Quarello 11 A−1; 10135; Torino; Italy
| | - Massimo Maffei
- Plant Physiology Unit; Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Turin; Innovation Centre, Via Quarello 11 A−1; 10135; Torino; Italy
| | - Michal Woyciechowski
- Institute of Environmental Sciences; Jagiellonian University; Gronostajowa 7; 30-387; Kraków; Poland
| | - Emilio Balletto
- Zoology Unit; Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Turin; Via Accademia Albertina 13; 10123; Torino; Italy
| | - Simona Bonelli
- Zoology Unit; Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Turin; Via Accademia Albertina 13; 10123; Torino; Italy
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17
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Casacci LP, Thomas JA, Sala M, Treanor D, Bonelli S, Balletto E, Schönrogge K. Ant pupae employ acoustics to communicate social status in their colony's hierarchy. Curr Biol 2013; 23:323-7. [PMID: 23394832 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2013.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2012] [Revised: 01/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The possession of an efficient communication system and an ability to distinguish between young stages are essential attributes that enable eusocial insects to live in complex integrated societies. Although ants communicate primarily via chemicals, it is increasingly clear that acoustical signals also convey important information, including status, between adults in many species. However, all immature stages were believed to be mute. We confirm that larvae and recently formed pupae of Myrmica ants are mute, yet once they are sclerotized, the pupae possess a fully functioning stridulatory organ. The sounds generated by worker pupae were similar to those of workers but were emitted as single pulses rather than in the long sequences characteristic of adults; both induced the same range and intensity of benevolent behaviors when played back to unstressed workers. Both white and sclerotized pupae have a higher social status than larvae within Myrmica colonies, but the latter's status fell significantly after they were made mute. Our results suggest that acoustical signals supplant semiochemicals as a means of identification in sclerotized pupae, perhaps because their hardened integuments block the secretion of brood pheromones or because their developing adult secretions initially differ from overall colony odors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca P Casacci
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina, 10123 Turin, Italy
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Wiemers M, van Swaay C, Collins S, Dušej G, Maes D, Munguira ML, Rakosy L, Ryrholm N, Šašić M, Settele J, Thomas J, Verovnik R, Verstrael T, Warren M, Wynhoff I. Dos and Don’ts for butterflies of the Habitats Directive of the European Union. NATURE CONSERVATION 2012. [DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.1.2786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Hovestadt T, Thomas JA, Mitesser O, Elmes GW, Schönrogge K. Unexpected benefit of a social parasite for a key fitness component of its ant host. Am Nat 2011; 179:110-23. [PMID: 22173464 DOI: 10.1086/663203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Numerous invertebrates inhabit social insect colonies, including the hoverfly genus Microdon, whose larvae typically live as brood predators. Formica lemani ant colonies apparently endure Microdon mutabilis infections over several years, despite losing a considerable fraction of young, and may even produce more gynes. We present a model for resource allocation within polygynous ant colonies, which assumes that whether an ant larva switches development into a worker or a gyne depends on the quantity of food received randomly from workers. Accordingly, Microdon predation promotes gyne development by increasing resource availability for surviving broods. Several model predictions are supported by empirical data. (i) Uninfected colonies seldom produce gynes. (ii) Infected colonies experience a short-lived peak in gyne production leading to a bimodal distribution in gyne production. (iii) Low brood : worker ratio is the critical mechanism controlling gyne production. (iv) Brood : worker ratio reduction must be substantial for increased gyne production to become noticeable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hovestadt
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7179, 1 Avenue du Petit Château, 91800 Brunoy, France.
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Patricelli D, Barbero F, La Morgia V, Casacci LP, Witek M, Balletto E, Bonelli S. To lay or not to lay: oviposition of Maculinea arion in relation to Myrmica ant presence and host plant phenology. Anim Behav 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Settele J, Barbero F, Musche M, Thomas JA, Schönrogge K. Singing the blues: from experimental biology to conservation application. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 214:1407-10. [PMID: 21490248 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.035329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Chemical communication plays a major role in the organisation of ant societies, and is mimicked to near perfection by certain large blue (Maculinea) butterflies that parasitise Myrmica ant colonies. The recent discovery of differentiated acoustical communication between different castes of ants, and the fact that this too is mimicked by the butterflies, adds a new component of coevolutionary complexity to a fascinating multitrophic system of endangered species, and it could inspire new ways to engage the public in their conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Settele
- UFZ, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Community Ecology, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, 06120 Halle, Germany.
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Witek M, Skórka P, Śliwińska EB, Nowicki P, Moroń D, Settele J, Woyciechowski M. Development of parasitic Maculinea teleius (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) larvae in laboratory nests of four Myrmica ant host species. INSECTES SOCIAUX 2011; 58:403-411. [PMID: 21765539 PMCID: PMC3123462 DOI: 10.1007/s00040-011-0156-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2010] [Revised: 10/21/2010] [Accepted: 02/25/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Maculinea butterflies are social parasites of Myrmica ants. Methods to study the strength of host ant specificity in the Maculinea-Myrmica association include research on chemical and acoustic mimicry as well as experiments on ant adoption and rearing behaviour of Maculinea larvae. Here we present results of laboratory experiments on adoption, survival, development and integration of M. teleius larvae within the nests of different Myrmica host species, with the objective of quantifying the degree of specialization of this Maculinea species. In the laboratory, a total of 94 nests of four Myrmica species: M. scabrinodis, M. rubra, M.ruginodis and M. rugulosa were used. Nests of M. rubra and M. rugulosa adopted M. teleius larvae more readily and quickly than M. ruginodis colonies. No significant differences were found in the survival rates of M. teleius larvae reared by different ant species. Early larval growth of M. teleius larvae differed slightly among nests of four Myrmica host species. Larvae reared by colonies of M. rugulosa which were the heaviest at the beginning of larval development had the lowest mean larval body mass after 18 weeks compared to those reared by other Myrmica species. None of the M.teleius larvae was carried by M. scabrinodis or M. rubra workers after ant nests were destroyed, which suggests a lack of integration with host colonies. Results indicate that Myrmica species coming from the same site differ in their ability to adopt and rear M. teleius larvae but there was no obvious adaptation of this butterfly species to one of the host ant species. This may explain why, under natural conditions, all four ants can be used as hosts of this butterfly species. Slight advantages of particular Myrmica species as hosts at certain points in butterfly larval development can be explained by the ant species biology and colony structure rather than by specialization of M. teleius.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Witek
- Department of Animal and Human Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Turin, Italy
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - P. Skórka
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71c, 60-625 Poznań, Poland
| | - E. B. Śliwińska
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - P. Nowicki
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - D. Moroń
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Science, Slawkowska 17, 31-016 Kraków, Poland
| | - J. Settele
- Department of Community Ecology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - M. Woyciechowski
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
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Hovestadt T, Binzenhöfer B, Nowicki P, Settele J. Do all inter-patch movements represent dispersal? A mixed kernel study of butterfly mobility in fragmented landscapes. J Anim Ecol 2011; 80:1070-7. [PMID: 21585369 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2011.01848.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
1. In times of ongoing habitat fragmentation, the persistence of many species is determined by their dispersal abilities. Consequently, understanding the rules underlying movement between habitat patches is a key issue in conservation ecology. 2. We have analysed mark-release-recapture (MRR) data on inter-patches movements of the Dusky Large Blue butterfly Maculinea nausithous in a fragmented landscape in northern Bavaria, Germany. The aim of the analysis was to quantify distance dependence of dispersal as well as to evaluate the effect of target patch area on immigration probability. For statistical evaluation, we apply a 'reduced version' of the virtual migration model (VM), only fitting parameters for dispersal distance and immigration. In contrast to other analyses, we fit a mixed dispersal kernel to the MRR data. 3. A large fraction of recaptures happened in other habitat patches than those where individuals were initially caught. Further, we found significant evidence for the presence of a mixed dispersal kernel. The results indicate that individuals follow different strategies in their movements. Most movements are performed over small distances, nonetheless involving travelling between nearby habitat patches (median distance c. 480 m). A small fraction (c. 0·025) of the population has a tendency to move over larger distances (median distance c. 3800 m). Further, immigration was positively affected by patch area (I∼A(ζ) ), with the scaling parameter ζ = 0·5. 4. Our findings should help to resolve the long-lasting dispute over the suitability of the negative exponential function vs. inverse-power one for modelling dispersal. Previous studies on various organisms found that the former typically gives better overall fit to empirical distance distributions, but that the latter better represents long-distance movement probabilities. As long-distance movements are more important for landscape-level effects and thus, e.g. for conservation-oriented analyses like PVAs, fitting inverse-power kernels has often been preferred. 5. We conclude that the above discrepancy may simply stem from the fact that recorded inter-patch movements are an outcome of two different processes: daily routine movements and genuine dispersal. Consequently, applying mixed dispersal kernels to disentangle the two processes is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hovestadt
- University of Würzburg, Biozentrum, Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Glashüttenstraße 5, 96181 Rauhenebrach, Germany.
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Balletto E, Bonelli S, Settele J, Thomas J, Verovnik R, Wahlberg N. Case 3508MaculineaVan Eecke, 1915 (Lepidoptera: lycaenidae): proposed precedence overPhengarisDoherty, 1891. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.21805/bzn.v67i2.a3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Oliver T, Roy DB, Hill JK, Brereton T, Thomas CD. Heterogeneous landscapes promote population stability. Ecol Lett 2010; 13:473-84. [PMID: 20148927 DOI: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2010.01441.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Abstract
Dispersal has recently gained much attention because of its crucial role in the conservation and evolution of species facing major environmental changes such as habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, and their interactions. Butterflies have long been recognized as ideal model systems for the study of dispersal and a huge amount of data on their ability to disperse has been collected under various conditions. However, no single 'best' method seems to exist leading to the co-occurrence of various approaches to study butterfly mobility, and therefore a high heterogeneity among data on dispersal across this group. Accordingly, we here reviewed the knowledge accumulated on dispersal and mobility in butterflies, to detect general patterns. This meta-analysis specifically addressed two questions. Firstly, do the various methods provide a congruent picture of how dispersal ability is distributed across species? Secondly, is dispersal species-specific? Five sources of data were analysed: multisite mark-recapture experiments, genetic studies, experimental assessments, expert opinions, and transect surveys. We accounted for potential biases due to variation in genetic markers, sample sizes, spatial scales or the level of habitat fragmentation. We showed that the various dispersal estimates generally converged, and that the relative dispersal ability of species could reliably be predicted from their relative vagrancy (records of butterflies outside their normal habitat). Expert opinions gave much less reliable estimates of realized dispersal but instead reflected migration propensity of butterflies. Within-species comparisons showed that genetic estimates were relatively invariable, while other dispersal estimates were highly variable. This latter point questions dispersal as a species-specific, invariant trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie M Stevens
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, UMR CNRS-MNHN 7179, 1 avenue du petit château, FR-91800 Brunoy, France.
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