1
|
Morammazi S, Shokrollahi B, Hassan FU. Genomic characterization, phylogenetic and expression analysis of foraging gene in Apis mellifera. Gene 2024; 910:148318. [PMID: 38408615 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148318] [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: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
The genomic characterization of the foraging gene and its expression analysis are required to better understand the behavior of honey bees (Apis mellifera). The present study performed a genome-wide characterization of the foraging gene, analyzing its physicochemical properties, phylogenetic features, and expression. An in silico analysis was carried out to characterize the foraging gene and the motifs and conserved domains of the encoded protein to predict its physicochemical properties. Moreover, a phylogenetic analysis of the foraging gene was performed in different species using MEGAX. The relative expression of the foraging gene was determined using qRT-PCR in two groups of forager bee samples (incoming and outgoing bees) during two seasons (five times per day). In addition, the queen effect was evaluated in another experiment. The results revealed that foraging gene expression and bee traffic were influenced by the interaction of season and daytime. The daily foraging traffic and transcription level of the foraging gene were the same in both seasons. The traffic of bees and the transcription abundance of the foraging gene were the highest in the middle and at the end of the day in the first and second seasons, respectively. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of the foraging gene was relatively higher in incoming bees than in outgoing bees. The queen also had a significant effect on the outgoing bees. We conclude that gene-environment interactions affect the foraging behavior of bees through the modulation of the foraging gene transcription.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salim Morammazi
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Natural Resources, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr 75169, Iran.
| | - Borhan Shokrollahi
- Hanwoo Research Institute, National Institute of Animal Science, Pyeongchang-gun 25340, Republic of Korea; Department of Animal Science, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran.
| | - Faiz-Ul Hassan
- Institute of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bezděčková K, Bezděčka P, Fibich P, Klimeš P. Different feeding preferences for macronutrients across seasons and sites indicate temporal and spatial nutrient limitation in the black bog ant. Oecologia 2024; 204:959-973. [PMID: 38635052 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05545-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
How the resource use by consumers vary in different environments and time scales is one of the fundamental ecological questions. Replicated field studies are rare, however; so the extent to which nutrient use varies and why is uncertain. We studied an endangered tyrphobiotic species, the black bog ant (Formica picea), and its feeding preferences in temperate peatlands. We conducted a baiting experiment at three different sites with high nest densities, repeated over three years and three periods of growing season. Preferences for three main macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and lipids) were assessed. We hypothesised that if nutrient limitation plays a role, ants will have an increased need for proteins and lipids in early seasons when brood is raised, while carbohydrates use will increase in late seasons. We also expected that site identity would influence nutrient preferences, but not year. Our results supported the nutrient limitation hypothesis for proteins that were consumed more in the early season. In contrast, preference for carbohydrates was rather high and did not increase consistently through season. Although the occupancy of lipid baits was low overall, it increased at colder temperatures, in contrast to carbohydrate and protein baits. Nutrient preferences varied more among sites than years, with the lowest nutrient use observed in a diverse fen-meadow, consistent with the nutrient limitation hypothesis. Year affected ant abundance, but not bait occupancy. Our results suggest that black bog ants flexibly adapt their diet to environmental conditions and that an interplay between nutrient limitation and climate determines their feeding behaviour.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Klára Bezděčková
- Muzeum Vysočiny Jihlava, Masarykovo náměstí 55, 586 01, Jihlava, Czech Republic.
| | - Pavel Bezděčka
- Muzeum Vysočiny Jihlava, Masarykovo náměstí 55, 586 01, Jihlava, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Fibich
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Dukelská 135, 379 01, Třeboň, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Branišovská 1160/31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Klimeš
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Branišovská 1160/31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Renyard A, Gooding C, Chalissery JM, Petrov J, Gries G. Effects of macro- and micro-nutrients on momentary and season-long feeding responses by select species of ants. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5727. [PMID: 38459134 PMCID: PMC10923885 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56133-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Few studies have investigated the relative contribution of specific nutrients to momentary and season-long foraging responses by ants. Using western carpenter ants, Camponotus modoc, and European fire ants, Myrmica rubra, as model species, we: (1) tested preferential consumption of various macro- and micro-nutrients; (2) compared consumption of preferred macro-nutrients; (3) investigated seasonal shifts (late May to mid-September) in nutrient preferences; and (4) tested whether nutrient preferences of C. modoc and M. rubra pertain to black garden ants, Lasius niger, and thatching ants, Formica aserva. In laboratory and field experiments, we measured nutrient consumption by weighing Eppendorf tubes containing aqueous nutrient solutions before and after feeding by ants. Laboratory colonies of C. modoc favored nitrogenous urea and essential amino acids (EAAs), whereas M. rubra colonies favored sucrose. Field colonies of C. modoc and M. rubra preferentially consumed EAAs and sucrose, respectively, with no sustained shift in preferred macro-nutrient over the course of the foraging season. The presence of a less preferred macro-nutrient in a nutrient blend did not diminish the blend's 'appeal' to foraging ants. Sucrose and EAAs singly and in combination were equally consumed by L. niger, whereas F. aserva preferred EAAs. Baits containing both sucrose and EAAs were consistently consumed by the ants studied in this project and should be considered for pest ant control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asim Renyard
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - Claire Gooding
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Jaime M Chalissery
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Jonathan Petrov
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Gerhard Gries
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Comparing Ant Assemblages and Functional Groups across Urban Habitats and Seasons in an East Asia Monsoon Climate Area. Animals (Basel) 2022; 13:ani13010040. [PMID: 36611650 PMCID: PMC9817932 DOI: 10.3390/ani13010040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
China's East Asia monsoon zone is undergoing rapid land-use conversion and urbanization. Safeguarding remaining biodiversity requires reducing, mitigating, and/or eliminating the negative impacts of human-induced landscape modification. In this study, we sampled ground-dwelling ants at 40 plots over 12 continuous months in a suburban area in southwestern China to examine whether and how vegetation composition and habitat fragmentation affected species richness and assemblage composition for the general ant community and, specifically, for principal functional groups (including Opportunists and Generalized Myrmicinae). Warmer seasons were associated with a higher capture rate for all functional groups. Patterns of ant species richness among Opportunists were more sensitive to vegetation and fragmentation than for Generalized Myrmicinae, and these effects generally varied with season. Patterns of ant assemblage composition for Opportunists were exclusively sensitive to vegetation, whereas Generalized Myrmicinae were sensitive to both vegetation and fragmentation with variation among seasons. Overall, our findings highlight the important role of seasonality, vegetation composition, and habitat fragmentation in mediating the impacts of human-induced landscape modification on urbanized ant communities, which make an essential functional contribution to biodiversity in the East Asia monsoon zone.
Collapse
|
5
|
Queiroz ACM, Marques TG, Ribas CR, Cornelissen T, Nogueira A, Schmidt FA, Feitosa R, Sobrinho TG, Quinet Y, Baccaro FB, Ulysséa MA, Vargas AB, Morini MSC, Souza JLP, Paolucci L, Dáttilo W, Del‐Claro K, Lange D, Santos J, Silva RR, Campos RBF, Albuquerque EZ, Izzo T, Rabello AM, Solar RRC, Soares SA, Carvalho KS, Moraes AB, Torezan‐Silingardi HM, Nahas L, dos Santos IA, Costa‐Milanez CB, Esteves F, Frizzo T, Harada AY, DaRocha W, Diehl‐Fleig E. Ant diversity decreases during the dry season: A meta‐analysis of the effects of seasonality on ant richness and abundance. Biotropica 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antônio C. M. Queiroz
- Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia Aplicada, Laboratório de Ecologia de Formigas Instituto de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de Lavras ‐ UFLA, Campus Universitário Lavras Brazil
| | - Tatianne G. Marques
- Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada, Instituto Federal do Norte de Minas Gerais ‐ IFNMG ‐ Campus Salinas Salinas Brazil
| | - Carla R. Ribas
- Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia Aplicada, Laboratório de Ecologia de Formigas Instituto de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de Lavras ‐ UFLA, Campus Universitário Lavras Brazil
- Lancaster Environment Centre Lancaster University Lancaster UK
| | - Tatiana G. Cornelissen
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, UFMG Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | - Anselmo Nogueira
- Laboratório de Interações Planta‐Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas Universidade Federal do ABC São Bernardo do Campo Brazil
| | - Fernando A. Schmidt
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Formigas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza Universidade Federal do Acre Rio Branco Brazil
| | - Rodrigo M. Feitosa
- Departamento de Zoologia, Laboratório de Sistemática e Biologia de Formigas Universidade Federal do Paraná Curitiba Brazil
| | - Tathiana G. Sobrinho
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Biológicas, Laboratório de Sistemática e Ecologia de Insetos Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Campus São Mateus São Mateus Brazil
| | - Yves Quinet
- Departamento de Biologia, Laboratório de Entomologia Universidade Estadual do Ceará Fortaleza Brazil
| | | | - Mônica A. Ulysséa
- Laboratório de Sistemática, Evolução e Biologia de Hymenoptera Museu de Zoologia da USP São Paulo Brazil
- Moreau Lab Cornell University Comstock Hall Ithaca NY USA
| | - André B. Vargas
- Centro Universitário de Volta Redonda – UniFOA Volta Redonda Brazil
| | - Maria Santina C. Morini
- Laboratório de Mirmecologia do Alto Tietê, Núcleo de Ciências Ambientais Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes Mogi das Cruzes Brazil
| | | | - Lucas N. Paolucci
- Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Viçosa Viçosa Brazil
| | - Wesley Dáttilo
- Red de Ecoetología Instituto de Ecología AC Xalapa Mexico
| | - Kleber Del‐Claro
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e de Interações Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia Brazil
| | - Denise Lange
- Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Campus Santa Helena Santa Helena Brazil
| | - Jean C. Santos
- Departamento de Ecologia, Laboratório de Ecologia & Biodiversidade Universidade Federal de Sergipe São Cristóvão Brazil
| | - Rogério R. Silva
- Coordenação de Ciências da Terra e Ecologia, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi Belém Brazil
| | - Renata B. F. Campos
- Laboratório de Ecologia, ambiente e território, PPG Gestão Integrada do Território Universidade Vale do Rio Doce Governador Valadares Brazil
| | - Emília Z. Albuquerque
- School of Life Sciences, Rabeling Lab Arizona State University Tempe Arizona USA
- AntLab, National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution Washington District of Columbia USA
| | - Thiago Izzo
- Departamento de Botânica e Ecologia, Laboratório de Ecologia de Comunidades Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso Cuiabá Brazil
| | - Ananza M. Rabello
- Instituto de Estudos do Xingu, Universidade Federal do Sul e Sudeste do Pará São Félix do Xingu Brazil
| | - Ricardo R. C. Solar
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Centro de Síntese Ecológica e Conservação Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | - Stela A. Soares
- Secretaria Estadual de Educação de Mato Grosso do Sul Campo Grande Brazil
| | - Karine S. Carvalho
- Departamento de Ciências Naturais Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Campus Vitória da Conquista Vitória da Conquista Brazil
| | | | - Helena M. Torezan‐Silingardi
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e de Interações Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia Brazil
| | - Larissa Nahas
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e de Interações Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia Brazil
| | | | - Cinthia B. Costa‐Milanez
- Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto Ouro Preto Brazil
| | - Flávia Esteves
- Department of Entomology Institute for Biodiversity Science & Sustainability, California Academy of Sciences San Francisco USA
| | - Tiago Frizzo
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade de Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro Brasília Brazil
| | - Ana Y. Harada
- Coordenação em Zoologia, Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi Belém Brazil
| | - Wesley DaRocha
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Laboratório de Mirmecologia (CPDC) Centro de Pesquisa do Cacau (CEPEC) Ilhéus Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Morris JR, Perfecto I. An aggressive nonconsumptive effect mediates pest control and multipredator interactions in a coffee agroecosystem. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e2653. [PMID: 35543106 PMCID: PMC9788006 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Natural pest control is an alternative to pesticide use in agriculture, and may help to curb insect declines and promote crop production. Nonconsumptive interactions in natural pest control that historically have received far less attention than consumptive interactions, may have distinct impacts on pest damage suppression and may also mediate positive multipredator interactions. Additionally, when nonconsumptive effects are driven by natural enemy aggression, variation in alternative resources for enemies may impact the strength of pest control. Here we study control of the coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei, by a keystone arboreal ant species, Azteca sericeasur, which exhibits a nonconsumptive effect on CBB by throwing them off coffee plants. We conducted two experiments to investigate: (1) if the strength of this behavior is driven by spatial or temporal variability in scale insect density (an alternative resource that Azteca tends for honeydew), (2) if this behavior mediates positive interactions between Azteca and other ground-foraging ants, and (3) the effect this behavior has on the overall suppression of CBB damage in multipredator scenarios. Our behavioral experiment showed that nearly all interactions between Azteca and CBB are nonconsumptive and that this behavior occurs more frequently in the dry season and with higher densities of scale insects on coffee branches. Our multipredator experiment revealed that borers thrown off coffee plants by Azteca can survive and potentially damage other nearby plants but may be suppressed by ground-foraging ants. Although we found no non-additive effects between Azteca and ground-foraging ants on overall CBB damage, together, both species resulted in the lowest level of plant damage with the subsequent reduction in "spillover" damage caused by thrown CBB, indicating spatial complementarity between predators. These results present a unique case of natural pest control, in which damage suppression is driven almost exclusively by nonconsumptive natural enemy aggression, as opposed to consumption or prey behavioral changes. Furthermore, our results demonstrate the variability that may occur in nonconsumptive pest control interactions when natural enemy aggressive behavior is impacted by alternative resources, and also show how these nonconsumptive effects can mediate positive interactions between natural enemies to enhance overall crop damage reduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R. Morris
- School for Environment and SustainabilityUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Ivette Perfecto
- School for Environment and SustainabilityUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chouvenc T, Ban PM, Su NY. Life and Death of Termite Colonies, a Decades-Long Age Demography Perspective. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.911042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A eusocial insect colony represents a complex biological entity that must ensure degrees of perennity once it reaches maturity (production of dispersing imagoes over many successive years) to optimize its reproductive success. It is known that a subterranean termite colony invests differentially in different castes over time and adjusts colony functions depending on colony internal and external conditions over many years of activity. However, the current study demonstrates that Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki field mature colonies go through dramatic demographic changes and breeding structure shifts, even many years after they have reached reproductive success. By analyzing the changes in age demography of C. formosanus colonies from four field sites, we here provide a new perspective on how a colony may function over decades, which reveals that each colony demographic trajectory is unique. In a way, throughout its life, a termite colony displays its own “demographic individuality” that drives its growth, its foraging ability, its competitiveness, its age demography, its senescence and ultimately its death. This study is therefore a narrated story of the life -and death- of different C. formosanus field colonies over decades of observation.
Collapse
|
8
|
Lesne P, Dussutour A, Behmer ST. Effect of queen number on colony-level nutrient regulation, food collection and performance in two polygynous ant species. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 138:104365. [PMID: 35121008 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2022.104365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
There is growing appreciation for how social interactions influence animal foraging behavior, especially with respect to key nutrients. Ants, given their eusocial nature and ability to be reared and manipulated in the laboratory, offer unique opportunities to explore how social interactions influence nutrient regulation and related processes. At the colony-level, ants simultaneously regulate their protein and carbohydrate intake; a regulation tied to the presence of larvae. However, even though 45% of the approximately 10,000 ant species are polygynous, we know little about the influence of queen number on colony-level foraging behavior and performance. Here we explored the direct effects of queen number on colony-level protein-carbohydrate regulation, food collection, survival, and brood production in two polygynous ant species (Nylanderia fulva and Solenopsis invicta). For both species we conducted choice and no-choice experiments using small experimental colonoids (20 workers) with 0, 1, or 2 queens. Both species regulated their relative intake of protein and carbohydrate around a P1:C2 mark. However, only N. fulva responded to the addition of queens, increasing overall food collection, biasing intake towards carbohydrates, and over-collecting imbalanced foods. N. fulva also exhibited reduced survival and reproduction on protein-biased foods. In contrast, S. invicta showed no response to queen number and reduced food collection on the protein-biased diet while maintaining high survival and reproduction. Our results demonstrate the potential for queens of some ant species to impact colony-level foraging and performance, with interspecific variation likely being shaped by differences in life history traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Lesne
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
| | - Audrey Dussutour
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center for Integrative Biology (CBI), CNRS, University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Spencer T Behmer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Becker JE, McCluney KE. Urbanization‐driven climate change increases invertebrate lipid demand, relative to protein—A response to dehydration. Funct Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jamie E. Becker
- 217 Life Sciences Bowling Green State University Bowling Green OH USA
| | - Kevin E. McCluney
- 217 Life Sciences Bowling Green State University Bowling Green OH USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lach L, Volp TM, Wilder SM. Previous diet affects the amount but not the type of bait consumed by an invasive ant. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2019; 75:2627-2633. [PMID: 30706632 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent research on multiple invasive ant species has revealed the importance of carbohydrates for achieving high activity levels and outcompeting native ants. However, comparatively little is known about the role of diet and macronutrient preferences for uptake of insecticidal baits used to control invasive ants. We tested whether diet affected yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes Fr Smith) survival and behavior, and whether bait preference would be complementary to past diet. RESULTS We found that colonies fed only crickets for 28 days had fewer live workers and queens, and less brood per live queen than colonies fed crickets + honeydew but did not differ significantly from colonies fed only honeydew. Colonies that had been fed only crickets were more active (as assessed by interaction with a novel object), retrieved 16-17 times more bait per worker overall, and consumed more of the six bait types than cricket + honeydew and honeydew-only fed colonies. However, prior diet did not affect bait choice. The two highest sugar bait formulations combined accounted for most of the bait consumed across all treatments (cricket-only 74.8% ± 28.1; cricket + honeydew 69.2% ± 12.4; honeydew-only 62.5% ± 30.4). CONCLUSION Yellow crazy ant colonies fare better without protein than without carbohydrates. Yellow crazy ants ate the most bait when fed only crickets but did not choose baits complementary to their previous diet. Baits in a sugar-rich carrier may be most effective for the control of yellow crazy ants, regardless of the relative availability of macronutrients. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lori Lach
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, PO Box 6811, Cairns, QLD, 4870
| | - Trevor M Volp
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, PO Box 6811, Cairns, QLD, 4870
| | - Shawn M Wilder
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Corby-Harris V, Bowsher JH, Carr-Markell M, Carroll MJ, Centrella M, Cook SC, Couvillon M, DeGrandi-Hoffman G, Dolezal A, Jones JC, Mogren CL, Otto CRV, Lau P, Rangel J, Schürch R, St. Clair A. Emerging Themes from the ESA Symposium Entitled “Pollinator Nutrition: Lessons from Bees at Individual to Landscape Levels”. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/0005772x.2018.1535951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
|
12
|
Oberhauser FB, Koch A, Czaczkes TJ. Small differences in learning speed for different food qualities can drive efficient collective foraging in ant colonies. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-018-2583-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
|
13
|
Moving targets: determinants of nutritional preferences and habitat use in an urban ant community. Urban Ecosyst 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-018-0796-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
14
|
Stahlschmidt ZR, Walman RM, Mills AM. Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) and seasonality influence community refuge use. Biol Invasions 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-018-1737-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
|
15
|
Cologna CT, Rodrigues RS, Santos J, de Pauw E, Arantes EC, Quinton L. Peptidomic investigation of Neoponera villosa venom by high-resolution mass spectrometry: seasonal and nesting habitat variations. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2018; 24:6. [PMID: 29467797 PMCID: PMC5816382 DOI: 10.1186/s40409-018-0141-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Advancements in proteomics, including the technological improvement in instrumentation, have turned mass spectrometry into an indispensable tool in the study of venoms and toxins. In addition, the advance of nanoscale liquid chromatography coupled to nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry allows, due to its high sensitivity, the study of venoms from species previously left aside, such as ants. Ant venoms are a complex mixture of compounds used for defense, predation or communication purposes. The venom from Neoponera ants, a genus restricted to Neotropical regions, is known to have cytolytic, hemolytic, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities. Moreover, venoms from several Neoponera species have been compared and differences in their toxicity related to nesting habitat variation were reported. Therefore, the present study aimed to perform a deep peptidomic analysis of Neoponera villosa venom and a comparison of seasonal and nesting habitat variations using high-resolution mass spectrometry. Methods Specimens of N. villosa ants were captured in Panga Natural Reserve (Uberlândia, MG, Brazil) from arboreal and ground-dwelling nests during summer and winter time. The venom glands were dissected, pooled and disrupted by ultra-sonic waves. The venom collected from different habitats (arboreal and ground-dwelling) and different seasons (summer and winter) was injected into a nanoACQUITY ULPC hyphened to a Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometer. The raw data were analyzed using PEAKS 7. Results The results showed a molecular diversity of more than 500 peptides among these venoms, mostly in the mass range of 800–4000 Da. Mutations and post-translational modifications were described and differences among the venoms were observed. Part of the peptides matched with ponericins, a well-known antimicrobial peptide family. In addition, smaller fragments related to ponericins were also identified, suggesting that this class of antimicrobial peptide might undergo enzymatic cleavages. Conclusion There are substantial differences among the venom of N. villosa ants collected in different seasons and from different nest habitats. The venom composition is affected by climate changes that influence prey availability and predator presence. Clearly, nano-LC-MS boosted the knowledge about ant venom, a rich source of unexplored and promising bioactive compounds. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40409-018-0141-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camila Takeno Cologna
- 1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP Brazil.,2Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, MolSys, Department of Chemistry, Liège Université, Liège, Belgium
| | | | - Jean Santos
- 3Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG Brazil
| | - Edwin de Pauw
- 2Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, MolSys, Department of Chemistry, Liège Université, Liège, Belgium
| | - Eliane Candiani Arantes
- 1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP Brazil
| | - Loïc Quinton
- 2Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, MolSys, Department of Chemistry, Liège Université, Liège, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Bockoven AA, Coates CJ, Eubanks MD. Colony‐level behavioural variation correlates with differences in expression of the
foraging
gene in red imported fire ants. Mol Ecol 2017; 26:5953-5960. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.14347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Craig J. Coates
- Department of Entomology Texas A&M University College Station TX USA
| | - Micky D. Eubanks
- Department of Entomology Texas A&M University College Station TX USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Judd TM, Landes JR, Ohara H, Riley AW. A Geometric Analysis of the Regulation of Inorganic Nutrient Intake by the Subterranean Termite Reticulitermes flavipes Kollar. INSECTS 2017; 8:insects8030097. [PMID: 28878148 PMCID: PMC5620717 DOI: 10.3390/insects8030097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Most studies on termite food selection have focused on a single nutrient per choice, however, termites, like all animals, must balance multiple nutrients in their diet. While most studies that use multi-nutrient approaches focus on macromolecules, the ability to balance the intake of inorganic nutrients is also vital to organisms. In this study, we used the geometric framework to test the effects of multiple inorganic nutrients on termite feeding. We presented the subsets of Reticulitermes flavipes colonies with food enriched with varying in levels of KCl, MgSO₄, and FePO₄. Each trial varied two of the three nutrients while the third nutrient was kept constant. The amount of food consumed was measured over two weeks. The termites' feeding patterns during the study suggested that they fed until they reached a limit for MgSO₄. This result suggests that the termites were using the rule of compromise such that the termites would over consume KCl or FePO₄ in order to avoid overeating MgSO₄. Thus, the termite colonies are able to regulate the intake of inorganic nutrients, and by doing so, adjust their intake from multiple resources in order to maintain an intake target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy M Judd
- Department of Biology, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO 63048, USA.
| | - James R Landes
- Department of Biology, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO 63048, USA
| | - Haruna Ohara
- Department of Biology, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO 63048, USA
| | - Alex W Riley
- Department of Biology, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO 63048, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Cook SC, Eubanks MD, Gold RE, Behmer ST. Summer and fall ants have different physiological responses to food macronutrient content. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2016; 87:35-44. [PMID: 26860359 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2016.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Revised: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Seasonally, long-lived animals exhibit changes in behavior and physiology in response to shifts in environmental conditions, including food abundance and nutritional quality. Ants are long-lived arthropods that, at the colony level, experience such seasonal shifts in their food resources. Previously we reported summer- and fall-collected ants practiced distinct food collection behavior and nutrient intake regulation strategies in response to variable food protein and carbohydrate content, despite being reared in the lab under identical environmental conditions and dietary regimes. Seasonally distinct responses were observed for both no-choice and choice dietary experiments. Using data from these same experiments, our objective here is to examine colony and individual-level physiological traits, colony mortality and growth, food processing, and worker lipid mass, and how these traits change in response to variable food protein-carbohydrate content. For both experiments we found that seasonality per se exerted strong effects on colony and individual level traits. Colonies collected in the summer maintained total worker mass despite high mortality. In contrast, colonies collected in the fall lived longer, and accumulated lipids, including when reared on protein-biased diets. Food macronutrient content had mainly transient effects on physiological responses. Extremes in food carbohydrate content however, elicited a compensatory response in summer worker ants, which processed more protein-biased foods and contained elevated lipid levels. Our study, combined with our previously published work, strongly suggests that underlying physiological phenotypes driving behaviors of summer and fall ants are likely fixed seasonally, and change circannually.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven C Cook
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States; Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, United States.
| | - Micky D Eubanks
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States
| | - Roger E Gold
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States
| | - Spencer T Behmer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Dussutour A, Poissonnier LA, Buhl C, Simpson SJ. Resistance to nutritional stress in ants: when being fat is advantageous. J Exp Biol 2016; 219:824-33. [PMID: 26985052 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.136234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
In ants, nutrient acquisition for the whole colony relies on a minority of workers, the foragers, which are often old and lean. Some studies have shown that the link between age, physiology and foraging activity is more flexible than once thought, especially in response to colony or environmental perturbations. This great plasticity offers the intriguing possibility to disentangle the effect of age, behaviour and physiology on the ants' abilities to cope with nutritional stresses. In this paper, we first looked at the capacity of groups of foragers and inner-nest workers to resist starvation and macronutrient imbalance. Second, we investigated whether behavioural task reversion modified the tolerance to nutritional stresses and by extension, changed mortality rate. We found that inner-nest workers live longer than foragers under nutritional stresses but not under optimal conditions. The reversion from foraging to inner-nest activities is followed by an increase in fat content and longevity. Finally, we demonstrated that changes in fat content associated with behavioural transition are highly flexible and strongly correlated to tolerance of nutritional stress. Our results have considerable implications for our understanding of the population dynamics of social insects under adverse nutritional conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Dussutour
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center for Integrative Biology (CBI), Toulouse University, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse 31062, France
| | - Laure-Anne Poissonnier
- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Camille Buhl
- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Stephen J Simpson
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Caut S, Barroso Á, Cerdá X, Amor F, Boulay RR. A year in an ant's life: Opportunism and seasonal variation in the foraging ecology ofAphaenogaster senilis. ECOSCIENCE 2015. [DOI: 10.2980/20-1-3559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
|
21
|
Castillo P, Pietrantonio PV. Differences in sNPF receptor-expressing neurons in brains of fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren) worker subcastes: indicators for division of labor and nutritional status? PLoS One 2013; 8:e83966. [PMID: 24376775 PMCID: PMC3869854 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Accepted: 11/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, the neuronal and molecular mechanisms related to worker division of labor are poorly understood. Workers from different subcastes (major, medium and minors) perform different tasks, which are loosely associated with their size. We hypothesized that the short neuropeptide F (sNPF) signaling system (NPY-like) could be involved in mechanisms of worker division of labor and sensing or responding to colony nutritional requirements. Thus, we investigated the expression of the short neuropeptide F receptor (sNPFR) in the brain and subesophageal ganglion (SEG) of workers from colonies with and without brood. Across worker subcastes a total of 9 clusters of immunoreactive sNPFR cells were localized in the brain and the subesophageal ganglion (SEG); some of these cells were similar to those observed previously in the queen. Worker brain sNPFR cell clusters were found in the protocerebrum near mushroom bodies, in the central complex and in the lateral horn. Other sNPFR immunoreactive cells were found at the edge of the antennal lobes. Across subcastes, we observed both a constant and a differential pattern of sNPFR clusters, with a higher number of sNPFR cells found in minor than in major workers. Those sNPFR cells detected in all worker subcastes appear to be involved in olfaction or SEG functions. The differential expression of clusters in subcastes suggests that sNPFR signaling is involved in regulating behaviors associated with specific subcastes and thus, division of labor. Some sNPFR cells appear to be involved in nutrient sensing and/or brood care, feeding behavior and locomotion. In colonies without brood, workers showed a lower cluster number, and an overall reduced sNPFR signal. Our results suggest the sNPF signaling system is a candidate for the neurobiological control of worker division of labor and sensing brood presence, perhaps correlating with protein requirements and availability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Castillo
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Patricia V. Pietrantonio
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Jandt J, Larson HK, Tellez P, McGlynn TP. To drink or grasp? How bullet ants (Paraponera clavata) differentiate between sugars and proteins in liquids. Naturwissenschaften 2013; 100:1109-14. [DOI: 10.1007/s00114-013-1109-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Revised: 10/14/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
23
|
Rudolph KP, Palmer TM. Carbohydrate as Fuel for Foraging, Resource Defense and Colony Growth - a Long-term Experiment with the Plant-antCrematogaster nigriceps. Biotropica 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
24
|
Kay AD, Shik JZ, Van Alst A, Miller KA, Kaspari M. Diet composition does not affect ant colony tempo. Funct Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2011.01944.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
|