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Elwood RW. Behavioural Indicators of Pain and Suffering in Arthropods and Might Pain Bite Back? Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2602. [PMID: 37627393 PMCID: PMC10451332 DOI: 10.3390/ani13162602] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain in response to tissue damage functions to change behaviour so that further damage is minimised whereas healing and survival are promoted. This paper focuses on the behavioural criteria that match the function to ask if pain is likely in the main taxa of arthropods. There is evidence consistent with the idea of pain in crustaceans, insects and, to a lesser extent, spiders. There is little evidence of pain in millipedes, centipedes, scorpions, and horseshoe crabs but there have been few investigations of these groups. Alternative approaches in the study of pain are explored and it is suggested that studies on traumatic mating, agonistic interactions, and defensive venoms might provide clues about pain. The evolution of high cognitive ability, sensory systems, and flexible decision-making is discussed as well as how these might influence the evolution of pain-like states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert W Elwood
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
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2
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Xu G, Chen L. Biological Activities and Ecological Significance of Fire Ant Venom Alkaloids. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:439. [PMID: 37505709 PMCID: PMC10467088 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15070439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Venoms produced by arthropods act as chemical weapons to paralyze prey or deter competitors. The utilization of venom is an essential feature in the biology and ecology of venomous arthropods. Solenopsis fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are medically important venomous ants. They have acquired different patterns of venom use to maximize their competitive advantages rendered by the venom when facing different challenges. The major components of fire ant venom are piperidine alkaloids, which have strong insecticidal and antibiotic activities. The alkaloids protect fire ants from pathogens over the course of their lives and can be used to defend them from predators and competitors. They are also utilized by some of the fire ants' natural enemies, such as phorid flies to locate host ants. Collectively, these ants' diverse alkaloid compositions and functions have ecological significance for their survival, successful invasion, and rapid range expansion. The venom alkaloids with powerful biological activities may have played an important role in shaping the assembly of communities in both native and introduced ranges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxin Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China;
- Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interaction, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Li Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China;
- Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interaction, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
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3
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Booher DB, Gotelli NJ, Nelsen MP, Ohyama L, Deyrup M, Moreau CS, Suarez AV. Six decades of museum collections reveal disruption of native ant assemblages by introduced species. Curr Biol 2023; 33:2088-2094.e6. [PMID: 37030293 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.044] [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: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023]
Abstract
There is a looming environmental crisis characterized by widespread declines in global biodiversity,1,2,3,4,5,6 coupled with the establishment of introduced species at accelerated rates.7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14 We quantified how multi-species invasions affect litter ant communities in natural ecosystems by leveraging museum records and contemporary collections to assemble a large (18,990 occurrences, 6,483 sampled local communities, and 177 species) 54-year (1965-2019) dataset for the entire state of Florida, USA. Nine of ten species that decreased most strongly in relative abundance ("losers") were native, while nine of the top ten "winners" were introduced species. These changes led to shifts in the composition of rare and common species: in 1965, only two of the ten most common ants were introduced, whereas by 2019, six of ten were introduced species. Native losers included seed dispersers and specialist predators, suggesting a potential loss of ecosystem function through time, despite no obvious loss of phylogenetic diversity. We also examined the role of species-level traits as predictors of invasion success. Introduced species were more likely to be polygynous than native species. The tendency to form supercolonies, where workers from separate nests integrate, also differed between native and introduced species and was correlated with the degree to which species increased in their rank abundances over 50 years. In Florida, introduced ants now account for 30% of occurrence records, and up to 70% in southern Florida. If current trends continue, introduced species will account for over half of occurrence records in all Florida's litter ant communities within the next 50 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas B Booher
- USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station, 320 East Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Department of Entomology and Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior, University of Illinois, 320 Morrill Hall, 505 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Department of Entomology and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, 129 Garden Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA.
| | | | - Matthew P Nelsen
- The Field Museum, Negaunee Integrative Research Center, 1400 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
| | - Leo Ohyama
- University of Florida Biodiversity Institute, 432 Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA
| | - Mark Deyrup
- Archbold Biological Station, Venus, FL 33960, USA
| | - Corrie S Moreau
- Department of Entomology and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, 129 Garden Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Andrew V Suarez
- Department of Entomology and Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior, University of Illinois, 320 Morrill Hall, 505 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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4
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Morrison CR, Rhodes AC, Bowman EA, Plowes RM, Sedio BE, Gilbert LE. Adding insult to injury: Light competition and allelochemical weapons interact to facilitate grass invasion. Ecosphere 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Colin R. Morrison
- Department of Integrative Biology The University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas USA
- Brackenridge Field Laboratory The University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas USA
| | - Aaron C. Rhodes
- Department of Integrative Biology The University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas USA
- Brackenridge Field Laboratory The University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Bowman
- Department of Integrative Biology The University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas USA
- Brackenridge Field Laboratory The University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas USA
| | - Robert M. Plowes
- Department of Integrative Biology The University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas USA
- Brackenridge Field Laboratory The University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas USA
| | - Brian E. Sedio
- Department of Integrative Biology The University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Panama Republic of Panama
| | - Lawrence E. Gilbert
- Department of Integrative Biology The University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas USA
- Brackenridge Field Laboratory The University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas USA
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5
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Bucciarelli GM, Alsalek F, Kats LB, Green DB, Shaffer HB. Toxic Relationships and Arms-Race Coevolution Revisited. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2022; 10:63-80. [PMID: 35167315 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-013120-024716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Toxin evolution in animals is one of the most fascinating and complex subjects of scientific inquiry today. Gaining an understanding of toxins poses a multifaceted challenge given the diverse modes of acquisition, evolutionary adaptations, and abiotic components that affect toxin phenotypes. Here, we highlight some of the main genetic and ecological factors that influence toxin evolution and discuss the role of antagonistic interactions and coevolutionary dynamics in shaping the direction and extent of toxicity and resistance in animals. We focus on toxic Pacific newts (family Salamandridae, genus Taricha) as a system to investigate and better evaluate the widely distributed toxin they possess, tetrodotoxin (TTX), and the hypothesized model of arms-race coevolution with snake predators that is used to explain phenotypic patterns of newt toxicity. Finally, we propose an alternative coevolutionary model that incorporates TTX-producing bacteria and draws from an elicitor-receptor concept to explain TTX evolution and ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Bucciarelli
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA; , , .,La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Farid Alsalek
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA; , ,
| | - L B Kats
- Natural Science Division, Pepperdine University, Malibu, California, USA; ,
| | - D B Green
- Natural Science Division, Pepperdine University, Malibu, California, USA; ,
| | - H B Shaffer
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA; , , .,La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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6
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Abstract
Ants have outstanding capacity to mediate inter- and intraspecific interactions by producing structurally diverse metabolites from numerous secretory glands. Since Murray Blum's pioneering studies dating from the 1950s, there has been a growing interest in arthropod toxins as natural products. Over a dozen different alkaloid classes have been reported from approximately 40 ant genera in five subfamilies, with peak diversity within the Myrmicinae tribe Solenopsidini. Most ant alkaloids function as venom, but some derive from other glands with alternative functions. They are used in defense (e.g., alarm, repellants) or offense (e.g., toxins) but also serve as antimicrobials and pheromones. We provide an overview of ant alkaloid diversity and function with an evolutionary perspective. We conclude that more directed integrative research is needed. We suggest that comparative phylogenetics will illuminate compound diversification, while molecular approaches will elucidate genetic origins. Biological context, informed by natural history, remains critical not only for research about focal species, but also to guide applied research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Gonçalves Paterson Fox
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21044-020, Brazil;
| | - Rachelle M M Adams
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA;
- Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC 20560, USA
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7
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Scanlan JL, Battlay P, Robin C. Ecdysteroid kinase-like (EcKL) paralogs confer developmental tolerance to caffeine in Drosophila melanogaster. CURRENT RESEARCH IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 2:100030. [PMID: 36003262 PMCID: PMC9387500 DOI: 10.1016/j.cris.2022.100030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
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8
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Walker AA, Robinson SD, Hamilton BF, Undheim EAB, King GF. Deadly Proteomes: A Practical Guide to Proteotranscriptomics of Animal Venoms. Proteomics 2020; 20:e1900324. [PMID: 32820606 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201900324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Animal venoms are renowned for their toxicity, biochemical complexity, and as a source of compounds with potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry. Polypeptides underlie much of the pharmacology of animal venoms, and elucidating these arsenals of polypeptide toxins-known as the venom proteome or venome-is an important step in venom research. Proteomics is used for the identification of venom toxins, determination of their primary structure including post-translational modifications, as well as investigations into the physiology underlying their production and delivery. Advances in proteomics and adjacent technologies has led to a recent upsurge in publications reporting venom proteomes. Improved mass spectrometers, better proteomic workflows, and the integration of next-generation sequencing of venom-gland transcriptomes and venomous animal genomes allow quicker and more accurate profiling of venom proteomes with greatly reduced starting material. Technologies such as imaging mass spectrometry are revealing additional insights into the mechanism, location, and kinetics of venom toxin production. However, these numerous new developments may be overwhelming for researchers designing venom proteome studies. Here, the field of venom proteomics is reviewed and some practical solutions for simplifying mass spectrometry workflows to study animal venoms are offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Samuel D Robinson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Brett F Hamilton
- Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia.,Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Eivind A B Undheim
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia.,Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, NTNU, Trondheim, 7491, Norway.,Department of Bioscience, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, University of Oslo, Blindern, Oslo, 0316, Norway
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
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9
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Formate Utilization by the Crenarchaeon Desulfurococcus amylolyticus. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8030454. [PMID: 32210133 PMCID: PMC7143981 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8030454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Formate is one of the key compounds of the microbial carbon and/or energy metabolism. It owes a significant contribution to various anaerobic syntrophic associations, and may become one of the energy storage compounds of modern energy biotechnology. Microbial growth on formate was demonstrated for different bacteria and archaea, but not yet for species of the archaeal phylum Crenarchaeota. Here, we show that Desulfurococcus amylolyticus DSM 16532, an anaerobic and hyperthermophilic Crenarchaeon, metabolises formate without the production of molecular hydrogen. Growth, substrate uptake, and production kinetics on formate, glucose, and glucose/formate mixtures exhibited similar specific growth rates and similar final cell densities. A whole cell conversion experiment on formate revealed that D. amylolyticus converts formate into carbon dioxide, acetate, citrate, and ethanol. Using bioinformatic analysis, we examined whether one of the currently known and postulated formate utilisation pathways could be operative in D. amylolyticus. This analysis indicated the possibility that D. amylolyticus uses formaldehyde producing enzymes for the assimilation of formate. Therefore, we propose that formate might be assimilated into biomass through formaldehyde dehydrogenase and the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway. These findings shed new light on the metabolic versatility of the archaeal phylum Crenarchaeota.
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10
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Ritualized aggressive behavior reveals distinct social structures in native and introduced range tawny crazy ants. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225597. [PMID: 31756233 PMCID: PMC6874334 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
How workers within an ant colony perceive and enforce colony boundaries is a defining biological feature of an ant species. Ants fall along a spectrum of social organizations ranging from single-queen, single nest societies to species with multi-queen societies in which workers exhibit colony-specific, altruistic behaviors towards non-nestmate workers from distant locations. Defining where an ant species falls along this spectrum is critical for understanding its basic ecology. Herein we quantify queen numbers, describe intraspecific aggression, and characterize the distribution of colony sizes for tawny crazy ant (Nylanderia fulva) populations in native range areas in South America as well as in their introduced range in the Southeastern United States. In both ranges, multi-queen nests are common. In the introduced range, aggressive behaviors are absent at all spatial scales tested, indicating that within the population in the Southeastern United States N. fulva is unicolonial. However, this contrasts strongly with intraspecific aggression in its South American native range. In the native range, intraspecific aggression between ants from different nests is common and ritualized. Aggression is typically one-sided and follows a stereotyped sequence of escalating behaviors that stops before actual fighting occurs. Spatial patterns of non-aggressive nest aggregation and the transitivity of non-aggressive interactions demonstrate that results of neutral arena assays usefully delineate colony boundaries. In the native range, both the spatial extent of colonies and the average number of queens encountered per nest differ between sites. This intercontinental comparison presents the first description of intraspecific aggressive behavior for this invasive ant and characterizes the variation in colony organization in the native-range, a pre-requisite to a full understanding of the origins of unicoloniality in its introduced range.
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Schendel V, Rash LD, Jenner RA, Undheim EAB. The Diversity of Venom: The Importance of Behavior and Venom System Morphology in Understanding Its Ecology and Evolution. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:E666. [PMID: 31739590 PMCID: PMC6891279 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11110666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Venoms are one of the most convergent of animal traits known, and encompass a much greater taxonomic and functional diversity than is commonly appreciated. This knowledge gap limits the potential of venom as a model trait in evolutionary biology. Here, we summarize the taxonomic and functional diversity of animal venoms and relate this to what is known about venom system morphology, venom modulation, and venom pharmacology, with the aim of drawing attention to the importance of these largely neglected aspects of venom research. We find that animals have evolved venoms at least 101 independent times and that venoms play at least 11 distinct ecological roles in addition to predation, defense, and feeding. Comparisons of different venom systems suggest that morphology strongly influences how venoms achieve these functions, and hence is an important consideration for understanding the molecular evolution of venoms and their toxins. Our findings also highlight the need for more holistic studies of venom systems and the toxins they contain. Greater knowledge of behavior, morphology, and ecologically relevant toxin pharmacology will improve our understanding of the evolution of venoms and their toxins, and likely facilitate exploration of their potential as sources of molecular tools and therapeutic and agrochemical lead compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Schendel
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Lachlan D. Rash
- School of Biomedical Sciences, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Ronald A. Jenner
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK;
| | - Eivind A. B. Undheim
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
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12
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13
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Queen venom isosolenopsin A delivers rapid incapacitation of fire ant competitors. Toxicon 2018; 158:77-83. [PMID: 30529381 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.11.428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Fire ant venom contains insecticidal alkaloids named 'solenopsins'. Whilst species-specific differences are reported, little attention has been given to caste-specific venom adaptations. The venom of fire ant queens has remained particularly poorly studied, though studies have shown it to be strikingly similar across different species, in being primarily composed of the alkaloid isosolenopsin A, regardless of the chemical configuration in workers. We predict that this is the evolutionary outcome of stabilising selection, implying that a shared mechanism is responsible for the conserved venom composition among fire ant queens. The present investigation tests whether venom plays a role in nest founding, when queens must succeed in isolation in the field against competitor species. Here, we report that fire ant queen venom and isosolenopsin A are faster to incapacitate alien ants than the venom of fire ant workers. Representative sympatric competitor ant species were selected and exposed on their heads to the venom of workers and queens of the invasive fire ant species Solenopsis invicta and S. geminata. Queen venom was found to incapacitate rival foragers quicker than worker venom. The effects were reproduced using synthetic solenopsins, establishing that solenopsin A analogues are particularly effective contact neurotoxins. Overall, the venom of S. invicta is more lethal than of S. geminata, regardless of the incapacitation speed. We believe these are fundamental aspects of the chemical ecology of the invasive ants which remain overlooked, and emphasise the need for further studies into the venom biology of founding queens.
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14
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Verification of Argentine ant defensive compounds and their behavioral effects on heterospecific competitors and conspecific nestmates. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1477. [PMID: 29367727 PMCID: PMC5784131 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-19435-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) has become established worldwide in regions with Mediterranean or subtropical climates. The species typically disrupts the balance of natural ecosystems by competitively displacing some native ant species via strong exploitation and interference competition. Here we report that Argentine ants utilize glandular secretions for inter and intra-specific communications during aggressive interactions with a heterospecific competitor, California harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex californicus). Chemical analyses indicated that Argentine ants deploy glandular secretions containing two major volatile iridoids, dolichodial and iridomyrmecin, on the competitor's cuticular surface during aggressive interactions. Bioassays indicated that the glandular secretions function as a defensive allomone, causing high levels of irritation in the heterospecific. Furthermore, the same glandular secretions elicited alarm and attraction of conspecific nestmates, potentially enabling more rapid/coordinated defense by the Argentine ants. Two major volatile constituents of the glandular secretion, dolichodial and iridomyrmecin, were sufficient to elicit these responses in conspecifics (as a mixture or individual compounds). The current study suggests that invasive Argentine ants' superior exploitation and interference competition may rely on the species' effective semiochemical parsimony.
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A Review of the Tawny Crazy Ant, Nylanderia fulva, an Emergent Ant Invader in the Southern United States: Is Biological Control a Feasible Management Option? INSECTS 2016; 7:insects7040077. [PMID: 27983690 PMCID: PMC5198225 DOI: 10.3390/insects7040077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Revised: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The tawny crazy ant, Nylanderia fulva (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), has invaded states of the U.S. including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Native to South America, N. fulva is considered a pest in the U.S. capable of annoying homeowners and farmers, as well as displacing native ant species. As it continues to expand its range, there is a growing need to develop novel management techniques to control the pest and prevent further spread. Current management efforts rely heavily on chemical control, but these methods have not been successful. A review of the biology, taxonomy, ecology, and distribution of N. fulva, including discussion of ecological and economic consequences of this invasive species, is presented. Options for future management are suggested focusing on biological control, including parasitoid flies in the genus Pseudacteon, the microsporidian parasite Myrmecomorba nylanderiae, and a novel polynucleotide virus as potential biological control agents. We suggest further investigation of natural enemies present in the adventive range, as well as foreign exploration undertaken in the native range including Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. We conclude that N. fulva may be a suitable candidate for biological control.
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16
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Dieng H, Zawawi RBM, Yusof NISBM, Ahmad AH, Abang F, Ghani IA, Satho T, Ahmad H, Zuharah WF, Majid AHA, Latip NSA, Nolasco-Hipolito C, Noweg GT. Green tea and its waste attract workers of formicine ants and kill their workers—implications for pest management. INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS 2016; 89:157-166. [DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2016.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
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Valles SM, Oi DH, Becnel JJ, Wetterer JK, LaPolla JS, Firth AE. Isolation and characterization of Nylanderia fulva virus 1, a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus infecting the tawny crazy ant, Nylanderia fulva. Virology 2016; 496:244-254. [PMID: 27372180 PMCID: PMC4980443 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2016.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Revised: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
We report the discovery of Nylanderia fulva virus 1 (NfV-1), the first virus identified and characterized from the ant, Nylanderia fulva. The NfV-1 genome (GenBank accession KX024775) is 10,881 nucleotides in length, encoding one large open reading frame (ORF). Helicase, protease, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and jelly-roll capsid protein domains were recognized within the polyprotein. Phylogenetic analysis placed NfV-1 in an unclassified clade of viruses. Electron microscopic examination of negatively stained samples revealed particles with icosahedral symmetry with a diameter of 28.7±1.1nm. The virus was detected by RT-PCR in larval, pupal, worker and queen developmental stages. However, the replicative strand of NfV-1 was only detected in larvae. Vertical transmission did not appear to occur, but horizontal transmission was facile. The inter-colonial field prevalence of NfV-1 was 52±35% with some local infections reaching 100%. NfV-1 was not detected in limited samples of other Nylanderia species or closely related ant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Valles
- Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, USDA-ARS, 1600 SW 23rd Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA.
| | - David H Oi
- Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, USDA-ARS, 1600 SW 23rd Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - James J Becnel
- Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, USDA-ARS, 1600 SW 23rd Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - James K Wetterer
- Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, 5353 Parkside Drive, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - John S LaPolla
- Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, 8000 York Road, Towson, MD 21252, USA
| | - Andrew E Firth
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, United Kingdom
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18
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Wang C, Henderson G. Repellent Effect of Formic Acid Against the Red Imported Fire Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): A Field Study. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 109:779-784. [PMID: 26700488 DOI: 10.1093/jee/tov384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies showed that the formic acid secreted by tawny crazy ants not only has fumigation toxicity to the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Chen et al. 2013), but also can detoxify fire ant venom (LeBrun et al. 2014). These lead us to a field study to determine if low concentrations of formic acid might be useful in repelling S. invicta. Filter paper discs treated with 1.3% or 5% formic acid (v: v) or distilled water (control) were placed on each of the 46 S. invicta mounds and a disturbance was created. For a minute or less, there were significantly more defending ants on the control discs than that on the paper discs treated with formic acid. After food was added and for the next 40 min, there were significantly more foraging ants on the control discs compared to the treated discs. At 50 min into the test, the number of foraging ants on the control and 1.3% formic acid-treated discs was similar, but both were significantly higher than that on the 5% formic acid-treated discs. In addition, the active foraging (≥10 ants stayed on or around the food) and burying behavior (soil particles were deposited around the food) continued to be inhibited by 5% formic acid. The potential application and ecological significant of this repellent effect is discussed.
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Touchard A, Aili SR, Fox EGP, Escoubas P, Orivel J, Nicholson GM, Dejean A. The Biochemical Toxin Arsenal from Ant Venoms. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:E30. [PMID: 26805882 PMCID: PMC4728552 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8010030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ants (Formicidae) represent a taxonomically diverse group of hymenopterans with over 13,000 extant species, the majority of which inject or spray secretions from a venom gland. The evolutionary success of ants is mostly due to their unique eusociality that has permitted them to develop complex collaborative strategies, partly involving their venom secretions, to defend their nest against predators, microbial pathogens, ant competitors, and to hunt prey. Activities of ant venom include paralytic, cytolytic, haemolytic, allergenic, pro-inflammatory, insecticidal, antimicrobial, and pain-producing pharmacologic activities, while non-toxic functions include roles in chemical communication involving trail and sex pheromones, deterrents, and aggregators. While these diverse activities in ant venoms have until now been largely understudied due to the small venom yield from ants, modern analytical and venomic techniques are beginning to reveal the diversity of toxin structure and function. As such, ant venoms are distinct from other venomous animals, not only rich in linear, dimeric and disulfide-bonded peptides and bioactive proteins, but also other volatile and non-volatile compounds such as alkaloids and hydrocarbons. The present review details the unique structures and pharmacologies of known ant venom proteinaceous and alkaloidal toxins and their potential as a source of novel bioinsecticides and therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Touchard
- CNRS, UMR Écologie des Forêts de Guyane (AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, Kourou Cedex 97379, France.
- BTSB (Biochimie et Toxicologie des Substances Bioactives) Université de Champollion, Place de Verdun, Albi 81012, France.
| | - Samira R Aili
- Neurotoxin Research Group, School of Medical & Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | | | - Pierre Escoubas
- VenomeTech, 473 Route des Dolines-Villa 3, Valbonne 06560, France.
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS, UMR Écologie des Forêts de Guyane (AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, Kourou Cedex 97379, France.
| | - Graham M Nicholson
- Neurotoxin Research Group, School of Medical & Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Alain Dejean
- CNRS, UMR Écologie des Forêts de Guyane (AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles), Campus Agronomique, BP 316, Kourou Cedex 97379, France.
- Laboratoire Écologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, 118 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse 31062, France.
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Chen J. Toxicity and Efficacy of Two Emulsifiable Concentrates of 2-Tridecanone against Red Imported Fire Ants. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.4236/ae.2016.41006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Dussourd DE. Theroa zethus Caterpillars Use Acid Secretion of Anti-Predator Gland to Deactivate Plant Defense. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0141924. [PMID: 26517872 PMCID: PMC4627776 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In North America, notodontid caterpillars feed almost exclusively on hardwood trees. One notable exception, Theroa zethus feeds instead on herbaceous plants in the Euphorbiaceae protected by laticifers. These elongate canals follow leaf veins and contain latex under pressure; rupture causes the immediate release of sticky poisonous exudate. T. zethus larvae deactivate the latex defense of poinsettia and other euphorbs by applying acid from their ventral eversible gland, thereby creating furrows in the veins. The acid secretion softens the veins allowing larvae to compress even large veins with their mandibles and to disrupt laticifers internally often without contacting latex. Acid secretion collected from caterpillars and applied to the vein surface sufficed to create a furrow and to reduce latex exudation distal to the furrow where T. zethus larvae invariably feed. Larvae with their ventral eversible gland blocked were unable to create furrows and suffered reduced growth on poinsettia. The ventral eversible gland in T. zethus and other notodontids ordinarily serves to deter predators; when threatened, larvae spray acid from the gland orifice located between the mouthparts and first pair of legs. To my knowledge, T. zethus is the first caterpillar found to use an antipredator gland for disabling plant defenses. The novel combination of acid application and vein constriction allows T. zethus to exploit its unusual latex-bearing hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E. Dussourd
- Department of Biology, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Widespread Chemical Detoxification of Alkaloid Venom by Formicine Ants. J Chem Ecol 2015; 41:884-95. [DOI: 10.1007/s10886-015-0625-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Zhang QH, McDonald DL, Hoover DR, Aldrich JR, Schneidmiller RG. North American Invasion of the Tawny Crazy Ant (Nylanderia fulva) Is Enabled by Pheromonal Synergism from Two Separate Glands. J Chem Ecol 2015; 41:853-8. [PMID: 26315627 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-015-0622-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2015] [Revised: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A new invader, the "tawny crazy ant", Nylanderia fulva (Hymenoptera: Formicidae; Formicinae), is displacing the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Formicidae: Myrmicinae), in the southern U.S., likely through its superior chemical arsenal and communication. Alone, formic acid is unattractive, but this venom (= poison) acid powerfully synergizes attraction of tawny crazy ants to volatiles from the Dufour's gland secretion of N. fulva workers, including the two major components, undecane and 2-tridecanone. The unexpected pheromonal synergism between the Dufour's gland and the venom gland appears to be another key factor, in addition to previously known defensive and detoxification semiochemical features, for the successful invasion and domination of N. fulva in the southern U.S. This synergism is an efficient mechanism enabling N. fulva workers to outcompete Solenopsis and other ant species for food and territory. From a practical standpoint, judicious point-source release formulation of tawny crazy ant volatiles may be pivotal for enhanced attract-and-kill management of this pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-He Zhang
- Sterling International, Inc., 3808 N. Sullivan Rd., Bldg. 16, Spokane, WA, 99216, USA.
| | - Danny L McDonald
- Texas Research Institute for Environmental Studies, Sam Houston State University, 2424 Sam Houston Avenue, Suite B-8, Box 2506, Huntsville, TX, 77341, USA
| | - Doreen R Hoover
- Sterling International, Inc., 3808 N. Sullivan Rd., Bldg. 16, Spokane, WA, 99216, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Aldrich
- Jeffrey R. Aldrich consulting LLC, P. O. Box 7887, Santa Cruz, CA, 95061, USA.,Associate, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
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Zhang Y. Why do we study animal toxins? DONG WU XUE YAN JIU = ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2015; 36:183-222. [PMID: 26228472 PMCID: PMC4790257 DOI: 10.13918/j.issn.2095-8137.2015.4.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 04/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Venom (toxins) is an important trait evolved along the evolutionary tree of animals. Our knowledges on venoms, such as their origins and loss, the biological relevance and the coevolutionary patterns with other organisms are greatly helpful in understanding many fundamental biological questions, i.e., the environmental adaptation and survival competition, the evolution shaped development and balance of venoms, and the sophisticated correlations among venom, immunity, body power, intelligence, their genetic basis, inherent association, as well as the cost-benefit and trade-offs of biological economy. Lethal animal envenomation can be found worldwide. However, from foe to friend, toxin studies have led lots of important discoveries and exciting avenues in deciphering and fighting human diseases, including the works awarded the Nobel Prize and lots of key clinic therapeutics. According to our survey, so far, only less than 0.1% of the toxins of the venomous animals in China have been explored. We emphasize on the similarities shared by venom and immune systems, as well as the studies of toxin knowledge-based physiological toxin-like proteins/peptides (TLPs). We propose the natural pairing hypothesis. Evolution links toxins with humans. Our mission is to find out the right natural pairings and interactions of our body elements with toxins, and with endogenous toxin-like molecules. Although, in nature, toxins may endanger human lives, but from a philosophical point of view, knowing them well is an effective way to better understand ourselves. So, this is why we study toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of The Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Yunnan 650223,
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Westermann FL, McPherson IS, Jones TH, Milicich L, Lester PJ. Toxicity and utilization of chemical weapons: does toxicity and venom utilization contribute to the formation of species communities? Ecol Evol 2015; 5:3103-13. [PMID: 26357539 PMCID: PMC4559053 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Revised: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxicity and the utilization of venom are essential features in the ecology of many animal species and have been hypothesized to be important factors contributing to the assembly of communities through competitive interactions. Ants of the genus Monomorium utilize a variety of venom compositions, which have been reported to give them a competitive advantage. Here, we investigate two pairs of Monomorium species, which differ in the structural compositions of their venom and their co-occurrence patterns with the invasive Argentine ant. We looked at the effects of Monomorium venom toxicity, venom utilization, and aggressive physical interactions on Monomorium and Argentine ant survival rates during arena trials. The venom toxicity of the two species co-occurring with the invasive Argentine ants was found to be significantly higher than the toxicity of the two species which do not. There was no correlation between venom toxicity and Monomorium survival; however, three of the four Monomorium species displayed significant variability in their venom usage which was associated with the number of Argentine ant workers encountered during trials. Average Monomorium mortality varied significantly between species, and in Monomorium smithii and Monomorium antipodum, aggressive interactions with Argentine ants had a significant negative effect on their mortality. Our study demonstrates that different factors and strategies can contribute to the ability of a species to withstand the pressure of a dominant invader at high abundance, and venom chemistry appears to be only one of several strategies utilized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian L Westermann
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, Victoria University of Wellington PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Iain S McPherson
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Military Institute Lexington, Virginia, 24401
| | - Tappey H Jones
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Military Institute Lexington, Virginia, 24401
| | - Lesley Milicich
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, Victoria University of Wellington PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Philip J Lester
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, Victoria University of Wellington PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
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Plowes RM, Becnel JJ, LeBrun EG, Oi DH, Valles SM, Jones NT, Gilbert LE. Myrmecomorba nylanderiae gen. et sp. nov., a microsporidian parasite of the tawny crazy ant Nylanderia fulva. J Invertebr Pathol 2015; 129:45-56. [PMID: 26031565 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2015.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2014] [Revised: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
A new microsporidian genus and species, Myrmecomorba nylanderiae, is described from North American populations of the tawny crazy ant, Nylanderia fulva. This new species was found to be heterosporous producing several types of binucleate spores in both larval and adult stages and an abortive octosporoblastic sporogony in adult ants. While microsporidia are widespread arthropod parasites, this description represents only the fifth species described from an ant host. Molecular analysis indicated that this new taxon is phylogenetically closely allied to the microsporidian family Caudosporidae, a group known to parasitize aquatic black fly larvae. We report the presence of 3 spore types (Type 1 DK, Type 2 DK, and octospores) with infections found in all stages of host development and reproductive castes. This report documents the first pathogen infecting N. fulva, an invasive ant of considerable economic and ecological consequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Plowes
- Brackenridge Field Laboratory, University of Texas at Austin, 2907 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703, United States.
| | - James J Becnel
- USDA, ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, 1600 SW 23rd Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608, United States
| | - Edward G LeBrun
- Brackenridge Field Laboratory, University of Texas at Austin, 2907 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703, United States
| | - David H Oi
- USDA, ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, 1600 SW 23rd Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608, United States
| | - Steven M Valles
- USDA, ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, 1600 SW 23rd Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608, United States
| | - Nathan T Jones
- Brackenridge Field Laboratory, University of Texas at Austin, 2907 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703, United States
| | - Lawrence E Gilbert
- Brackenridge Field Laboratory, University of Texas at Austin, 2907 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703, United States
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Szolnoki A, Mobilia M, Jiang LL, Szczesny B, Rucklidge AM, Perc M. Cyclic dominance in evolutionary games: a review. J R Soc Interface 2014; 11:20140735. [PMID: 25232048 PMCID: PMC4191105 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2014.0735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rock is wrapped by paper, paper is cut by scissors and scissors are crushed by rock. This simple game is popular among children and adults to decide on trivial disputes that have no obvious winner, but cyclic dominance is also at the heart of predator-prey interactions, the mating strategy of side-blotched lizards, the overgrowth of marine sessile organisms and competition in microbial populations. Cyclical interactions also emerge spontaneously in evolutionary games entailing volunteering, reward, punishment, and in fact are common when the competing strategies are three or more, regardless of the particularities of the game. Here, we review recent advances on the rock-paper-scissors (RPS) and related evolutionary games, focusing, in particular, on pattern formation, the impact of mobility and the spontaneous emergence of cyclic dominance. We also review mean-field and zero-dimensional RPS models and the application of the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation, and we highlight the importance and usefulness of statistical physics for the successful study of large-scale ecological systems. Directions for future research, related, for example, to dynamical effects of coevolutionary rules and invasion reversals owing to multi-point interactions, are also outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attila Szolnoki
- Institute of Technical Physics and Materials Science, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, PO Box 49, 1525 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mauro Mobilia
- Department of Applied Mathematics, School of Mathematics, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Luo-Luo Jiang
- College of Physics and Electronic Information Engineering, Wenzhou University, 325035 Wenzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Bartosz Szczesny
- Department of Applied Mathematics, School of Mathematics, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Alastair M Rucklidge
- Department of Applied Mathematics, School of Mathematics, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Matjaž Perc
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Koroška cesta 160, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
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Chen L, Mullen GE, Le Roch M, Cassity CG, Gouault N, Fadamiro HY, Barletta RE, O'Brien RA, Sykora RE, Stenson AC, West KN, Horne HE, Hendrich JM, Xiang KR, Davis JH. On the Formation of a Protic Ionic Liquid in Nature. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2014; 53:11762-5. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201404402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Chen L, Mullen GE, Le Roch M, Cassity CG, Gouault N, Fadamiro HY, Barletta RE, O'Brien RA, Sykora RE, Stenson AC, West KN, Horne HE, Hendrich JM, Xiang KR, Davis JH. On the Formation of a Protic Ionic Liquid in Nature. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201404402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Marshall K. Acid defends ants against attack. J Exp Biol 2014. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.094938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Abstract
Tawny crazy ants are spreading across the southern U.S., replacing one of the most notorious invasive pests, the red imported fire ant. A crucial factor in this process is that tawny crazy ants are able to efficiently detoxify fire ant venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J C Kronauer
- Laboratory of Insect Social Evolution, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kaspari
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
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