Predatory Ant (Labidus Coecus)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Beneficial Species Profile Photo credit: April Nobile, California Academy of Sciences (Specimen: CASENT0104978; from https://www.antweb.org) Common Name: Predatory Ant (Legionary ants; New World army ants) Scientific Name: Labidus coecus Order and Family: Order Hymenoptera; Family Formicidae Size and Appearance: Length (mm) Appearance Egg Larva/Nymph Adult Workers range These ants have a prominent stinger, 12 segmented from 3 – 10 mm antennae without a club, and a two-part waist. The workers are polymorphic and lack eyes and dorsal spines. The workers are red with a smooth and shiny face. Pupa (if applicable) Type of feeder (Chewing, sucking, etc.): Chewing Host(s): Because this predatory ant primarily forages through the ground, it has a more generalized diet but feeds mostly on the brood of other ants and will feed on scavenged items, including human food scraps. Description of Benefits (predator, parasitoid, pollinator, etc.): This army ant is nearly completely subterranean and its raids may foster ant species diversity, which benefits the ecosystem and may control pest insect species in agricultural systems. They do prey on screwworm larvae, which are a pest of livestock. Related species have been used to do this in China for hundreds of years. This predatory ant is found in North, Central, and South America. In the USA, this ant is found in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas. References: Gotwald, W.H. (1995). Army ants: the biology of social predation. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. Harris, R. & Berry, J. (n.d.). Labidus coecus (Latreille), invasive ant threat, information sheet # 8. Retrieved from: https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/51015/8.pdf Klotz, J., Hansen, L., Pospischil, R., & Rust, M. (2008). Urban ants of North American and Europe: identification, biology, and management. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. Species: Labidus coecus. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.antweb.org/description.do?genus=labidus&name=coecus&rank=species .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

ON (19) 633-647.Pdf
ORNITOLOGIA NEOTROPICAL EDITOR RAYMOND McNEIL INDEX TO VOLUME 19, 2008 (Authors, key words, families, latin names) An International Journal of Neotropical Ornithology published by THE NEOTROPICAL ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY INDEX, VOL. 19, 2008 The “S” prefix before page numbers refers to pages in the Proceedings of the VIIIth Neotropi- cal Ornithological Congress held in Venezuela, 13–19 May 2007, and published as a supplement to Volume 19 (2008) of Ornitología Neotropical. Abaco National Park, S165–S171 335–344, 403–416, 451–456, 457–461, Abreu, M., S461–S472 467–471, 495–515, 581–585 Abundance, 345–359, S287–S293, S295– Androgen receptors, S229–S239 S303, S433–S443, S491–S500 Angulo Pratolongo, F., S279–S286 Accipiter erythronemius, 15–29 Animal communication, 175–199 Acute stress responses, S241–S251 Antagonism, S485–S490 Adaptations, S511–S519 Antioquia, 467–471, 495–515 Addis, E., S241–S251 Antshrike, 293–297 Adrenocortical responses, S241–S251 Ara, S173–S181 Advances, S329–S337, S339–S346 Ara ararauna, 321–328, S113–S122 Aggressive interactions, 329–334 Ara chloropterus, 321–328 Agile Tit-Tyrant, 117–122 Ara macao, 321–328 Agroecosystems, S575–S585 Ara militaris, 255–263 Agroforestry, 15–29 Araucaria angustifolia, 15–29 Aguaruna indigenous communities, S587– Arbeláez, D., S567–S574 S594 Arbeláez-Alvarado, D., S549–S565 Aguaruna-Jívaro communities, S587–S594 Ardea cocoi, 485–493 Águila Poma, 611–616 Ardiles, K., 485–493 Aimophila sumichrasti, 123–127 Areta, J. I., 201–211 Alarcón-Nieto, G., 371–376 Argentina, 15–29, 31–41, 71–80, 109–116, Albrieu, C., S311–S319, S433–S443 161–174, 201–211, 299–303, 315–319, Alducin-Chávez, G.
[Show full text]
Check List 8(4): 722–730, 2012 © 2012 Check List and Authors Chec List ISSN 1809-127X (Available at Journal of Species Lists and Distribution
Check List 8(4): 722–730, 2012 © 2012 Check List and Authors Chec List ISSN 1809-127X (available at www.checklist.org.br) Journal of species lists and distribution Check list of ground-dwelling ants (Hymenoptera: PECIES S Formicidae) of the eastern Acre, Amazon, Brazil OF Patrícia Nakayama Miranda 1,2*, Marco Antônio Oliveira 3, Fabricio Beggiato Baccaro 4, Elder Ferreira ISTS 1 5,6 L Morato and Jacques Hubert Charles Delabie 1 Universidade Federal do Acre, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza. BR 364 – Km 4 – Distrito Industrial. CEP 69915-900. Rio Branco, AC, Brazil. 2 Instituo Federal do Acre, Campus Rio Branco. Avenida Brasil 920, Bairro Xavier Maia. CEP 69903-062. Rio Branco, AC, Brazil. 3 Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Campus Florestal. Rodovia LMG 818, Km 6. CEP 35690-000. Florestal, MG, Brazil. 4 Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia. CP 478. CEP 69083-670. Manaus, AM, Brazil. 5 Comissão Executiva do Plano da Lavoura Cacaueira, Centro de Pesquisas do Cacau, Laboratório de Mirmecologia – CEPEC/CEPLAC. Caixa Postal 07. CEP 45600-970. Itabuna, BA, Brazil. 6 Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz. CEP 45650-000. Ilhéus, BA, Brazil. * Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract: The ant fauna of state of Acre, Brazilian Amazon, is poorly known. The aim of this study was to compile the species sampled in different areas in the State of Acre. An inventory was carried out in pristine forest in the municipality of Xapuri. This list was complemented with the information of a previous inventory carried out in a forest fragment in the municipality of Senador Guiomard and with a list of species deposited at the Entomological Collection of National Institute of Amazonian Research– INPA.
[Show full text]
Digging Deeper Into the Ecology of Subterranean Ants: Diversity and Niche Partitioning Across Two Continents
diversity Article Digging Deeper into the Ecology of Subterranean Ants: Diversity and Niche Partitioning across Two Continents Mickal Houadria * and Florian Menzel Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Soil fauna is generally understudied compared to above-ground arthropods, and ants are no exception. Here, we compared a primary and a secondary forest each on two continents using four different sampling methods. Winkler sampling, pitfalls, and four types of above- and below-ground baits (dead, crushed insects; melezitose; living termites; living mealworms/grasshoppers) were applied on four plots (4 × 4 grid points) on each site. Although less diverse than Winkler samples and pitfalls, subterranean baits provided a remarkable ant community. Our baiting system provided a large dataset to systematically quantify strata and dietary specialisation in tropical rainforest ants. Compared to above-ground baits, 10–28% of the species at subterranean baits were overall more common (or unique to) below ground, indicating a fauna that was truly specialised to this stratum. Species turnover was particularly high in the primary forests, both concerning above-ground and subterranean baits and between grid points within a site. This suggests that secondary forests are more impoverished, especially concerning their subterranean fauna. Although subterranean ants rarely displayed speciﬁc preferences for a bait type, they were in general more specialised than above-ground ants; this was true for entire communities, but also for the same species if they foraged in both strata. Citation: Houadria, M.; Menzel, F.
[Show full text]
James K. Wetterer
James K. Wetterer Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University 5353 Parkside Drive, Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: (561) 799-8648; FAX: (561) 799-8602; e-mail: [email protected] EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, Seattle, WA, 9/83 - 8/88 Ph.D., Zoology: Ecology and Evolution; Advisor: Gordon H. Orians. MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, East Lansing, MI, 9/81 - 9/83 M.S., Zoology: Ecology; Advisors: Earl E. Werner and Donald J. Hall. CORNELL UNIVERSITY, Ithaca, NY, 9/76 - 5/79 A.B., Biology: Ecology and Systematics. UNIVERSITÉ DE PARIS III, France, 1/78 - 5/78 Semester abroad: courses in theater, literature, and history of art. WORK EXPERIENCE FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY, Wilkes Honors College 8/04 - present: Professor 7/98 - 7/04: Associate Professor Teaching: Biodiversity, Principles of Ecology, Behavioral Ecology, Human Ecology, Environmental Studies, Tropical Ecology, Field Biology, Life Science, and Scientific Writing 9/03 - 1/04 & 5/04 - 8/04: Fulbright Scholar; Ants of Trinidad and Tobago COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, Department of Earth and Environmental Science 7/96 - 6/98: Assistant Professor Teaching: Community Ecology, Behavioral Ecology, and Tropical Ecology WHEATON COLLEGE, Department of Biology 8/94 - 6/96: Visiting Assistant Professor Teaching: General Ecology and Introductory Biology HARVARD UNIVERSITY, Museum of Comparative Zoology 8/91- 6/94: Post-doctoral Fellow; Behavior, ecology, and evolution of fungus-growing ants Advisors: Edward O. Wilson, Naomi Pierce, and Richard Lewontin 9/95 - 1/96: Teaching: Ethology PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 7/89 - 7/91: Research Associate; Ecology and evolution of leaf-cutting ants Advisor: Stephen Hubbell 1/91 - 5/91: Teaching: Tropical Ecology, Introduction to the Scientific Method VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, Department of Psychology 9/88 - 7/89: Post-doctoral Fellow; Visual psychophysics of fish and horseshoe crabs Advisor: Maureen K.
[Show full text]
James K. Wetterer
James K. Wetterer Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University 5353 Parkside Drive, Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: (561) 799-8648; FAX: (561) 799-8602; e-mail: [email protected] EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, Seattle, WA, 9/83 - 8/88 Ph.D., Zoology: Ecology and Evolution; Advisor: Gordon H. Orians. MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, East Lansing, MI, 9/81 - 9/83 M.S., Zoology: Ecology; Advisors: Earl E. Werner and Donald J. Hall. CORNELL UNIVERSITY, Ithaca, NY, 9/76 - 5/79 A.B., Biology: Ecology and Systematics. UNIVERSITÉ DE PARIS III, France, 1/78 - 5/78 Semester abroad: courses in theater, literature, and history of art. WORK EXPERIENCE FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY, Wilkes Honors College 8/04 - present: Professor 7/98 - 7/04: Associate Professor Teaching: Principles of Ecology, Behavioral Ecology, Human Ecology, Environmental Studies, Tropical Ecology, Biodiversity, Life Science, and Scientific Writing 9/03 - 1/04 & 5/04 - 8/04: Fulbright Scholar; Ants of Trinidad and Tobago COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, Department of Earth and Environmental Science 7/96 - 6/98: Assistant Professor Teaching: Community Ecology, Behavioral Ecology, and Tropical Ecology WHEATON COLLEGE, Department of Biology 8/94 - 6/96: Visiting Assistant Professor Teaching: General Ecology and Introductory Biology HARVARD UNIVERSITY, Museum of Comparative Zoology 8/91- 6/94: Post-doctoral Fellow; Behavior, ecology, and evolution of fungus-growing ants Advisors: Edward O. Wilson, Naomi Pierce, and Richard Lewontin 9/95 - 1/96: Teaching: Ethology PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 7/89 - 7/91: Research Associate; Ecology and evolution of leaf-cutting ants Advisor: Stephen Hubbell 1/91 - 5/91: Teaching: Tropical Ecology, Introduction to the Scientific Method VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, Department of Psychology 9/88 - 7/89: Post-doctoral Fellow; Visual psychophysics of fish and horseshoe crabs Advisor: Maureen K.
[Show full text]
Taxonomic Classification of Ants (Formicidae)
bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/407452; this version posted September 4, 2018. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY 4.0 International license. Taxonomic Classification of Ants (Formicidae) from Images using Deep Learning Marijn J. A. Boer1 and Rutger A. Vos1;∗ 1 Endless Forms, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, 2333 BA, Netherlands *[email protected] Abstract 1 The well-documented, species-rich, and diverse group of ants (Formicidae) are important 2 ecological bioindicators for species richness, ecosystem health, and biodiversity, but ant 3 species identification is complex and requires specific knowledge. In the past few years, 4 insect identification from images has seen increasing interest and success, with processing 5 speed improving and costs lowering. Here we propose deep learning (in the form of a 6 convolutional neural network (CNN)) to classify ants at species level using AntWeb 7 images. We used an Inception-ResNet-V2-based CNN to classify ant images, and three 8 shot types with 10,204 images for 97 species, in addition to a multi-view approach, for 9 training and testing the CNN while also testing a worker-only set and an AntWeb 10 protocol-deviant test set. Top 1 accuracy reached 62% - 81%, top 3 accuracy 80% - 92%, 11 and genus accuracy 79% - 95% on species classification for different shot type approaches. 12 The head shot type outperformed other shot type approaches.
[Show full text]
Borowiec Et Al-2020 Ants – Phylogeny and Classification
A Ants: Phylogeny and 1758 when the Swedish botanist Carl von Linné Classification published the tenth edition of his catalog of all plant and animal species known at the time. Marek L. Borowiec1, Corrie S. Moreau2 and Among the approximately 4,200 animals that he Christian Rabeling3 included were 17 species of ants. The succeeding 1University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA two and a half centuries have seen tremendous 2Departments of Entomology and Ecology & progress in the theory and practice of biological Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, classiﬁcation. Here we provide a summary of the NY, USA current state of phylogenetic and systematic 3Social Insect Research Group, Arizona State research on the ants. University, Tempe, AZ, USA Ants Within the Hymenoptera Tree of Ants are the most ubiquitous and ecologically Life dominant insects on the face of our Earth. This is believed to be due in large part to the cooperation Ants belong to the order Hymenoptera, which also allowed by their sociality. At the time of writing, includes wasps and bees. ▶ Eusociality, or true about 13,500 ant species are described and sociality, evolved multiple times within the named, classiﬁed into 334 genera that make up order, with ants as by far the most widespread, 17 subfamilies (Fig. 1). This diversity makes the abundant, and species-rich lineage of eusocial ants the world’s by far the most speciose group of animals. Within the Hymenoptera, ants are part eusocial insects, but ants are not only diverse in of the ▶ Aculeata, the clade in which the ovipos- terms of numbers of species.
[Show full text]
Nymphister Kronaueri Von Beeren & Tishechkin Sp. Nov., an Army Ant
BMC Zoology Nymphister kronaueri von Beeren & Tishechkin sp. nov., an army ant-associated beetle species (Coleoptera: Histeridae: Haeteriinae) with an exceptional mechanism of phoresy von Beeren and Tishechkin von Beeren and Tishechkin BMC Zoology (2017) 2:3 DOI 10.1186/s40850-016-0010-x von Beeren and Tishechkin BMC Zoology (2017) 2:3 DOI 10.1186/s40850-016-0010-x BMC Zoology RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Nymphister kronaueri von Beeren & Tishechkin sp. nov., an army ant-associated beetle species (Coleoptera: Histeridae: Haeteriinae) with an exceptional mechanism of phoresy Christoph von Beeren1,2* and Alexey K. Tishechkin3 Abstract Background: For more than a century we have known that a high diversity of arthropod species lives in close relationship with army ant colonies. For instance, several hundred guest species have been described to be associated with the Neotropical army ant Eciton burchellii Westwood, 1842. Despite ongoing efforts to survey army ant guest diversity, it is evident that many more species await scientific discovery. Results: We conducted a large-scale community survey of Eciton-associated symbionts, combined with extensive DNA barcoding, which led to the discovery of numerous new species, among them a highly specialized histerid beetle, which is formally described here. Analyses of genitalic morphology with support of molecular characters revealed that the new species is a member of the genus Nymphister. We provide a literature review of host records and host-following mechanisms of Eciton-associated Haeteriinae demonstrating that the new species uses an unusual way of phoretic transport to track the nomadic habit of host ants. Using its long mandibles as gripping pliers, the beetle attaches between the ants’ petiole and postpetiole.
[Show full text]
Mechanisms for the Evolution of Superorganismality in Ants
Rockefeller University Digital Commons @ RU Student Theses and Dissertations 2021 Mechanisms for the Evolution of Superorganismality in Ants Vikram Chandra Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.rockefeller.edu/ student_theses_and_dissertations Part of the Life Sciences Commons MECHANISMS FOR THE EVOLUTION OF SUPERORGANISMALITY IN ANTS A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of The Rockefeller University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Vikram Chandra June 2021 © Copyright by Vikram Chandra 2021 MECHANISMS FOR THE EVOLUTION OF SUPERORGANISMALITY IN ANTS Vikram Chandra, Ph.D. The Rockefeller University 2021 Ant colonies appear to behave as superorganisms; they exhibit very high levels of within-colony cooperation, and very low levels of within-colony conflict. The evolution of such superorganismality has occurred multiple times across the animal phylogeny, and indeed, origins of multicellularity represent the same evolutionary process. Understanding the origin and elaboration of superorganismality is a major focus of research in evolutionary biology. Although much is known about the ultimate factors that permit the evolution and persistence of superorganisms, we know relatively little about how they evolve. One limiting factor to the study of superorganismality is the difficulty of conducting manipulative experiments in social insect colonies. Recent work on establishing the clonal raider ant, Ooceraea biroi, as a tractable laboratory model, has helped alleviate this difficulty. In this dissertation, I study the proximate evolution of superorganismality in ants. Using focussed mechanistic experiments in O. biroi, in combination with comparative work from other ant species, I study three major aspects of ant social behaviour that provide insight into the origin, maintenance, and elaboration of superorganismality.
[Show full text]
Reprint Covers
TEXAS MEMORIAL MUSEUM Speleological Monographs, Number 7 Studies on the CAVE AND ENDOGEAN FAUNA of North America Part V Edited by James C. Cokendolpher and James R. Reddell TEXAS MEMORIAL MUSEUM SPELEOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS, NUMBER 7 STUDIES ON THE CAVE AND ENDOGEAN FAUNA OF NORTH AMERICA, PART V Edited by James C. Cokendolpher Invertebrate Zoology, Natural Science Research Laboratory Museum of Texas Tech University, 3301 4th Street Lubbock, Texas 79409 U.S.A. Email: [email protected] and James R. Reddell Texas Natural Science Center The University of Texas at Austin, PRC 176, 10100 Burnet Austin, Texas 78758 U.S.A. Email: [email protected] March 2009 TEXAS MEMORIAL MUSEUM and the TEXAS NATURAL SCIENCE CENTER THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78705 Copyright 2009 by the Texas Natural Science Center The University of Texas at Austin All rights rereserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including electronic storage and retrival systems, except by explict, prior written permission of the publisher Printed in the United States of America Cover, The first troglobitic weevil in North America, Lymantes Illustration by Nadine Dupérré Layout and design by James C. Cokendolpher Printed by the Texas Natural Science Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas PREFACE This is the fifth volume in a series devoted to the cavernicole and endogean fauna of the Americas. Previous volumes have been limited to North and Central America. Most of the species described herein are from Texas and Mexico, but one new troglophilic spider is from Colorado (U.S.A.) and a remarkable new eyeless endogean scorpion is described from Colombia, South America.
[Show full text]
Musculature, Homology, and Functional Morphology (Hymenoptera, Aculeata, Formicidae)
JHR 30: 29–49 (2013) Male ant genitalia: musculature, homology, function 29 doi: 10.3897/JHR.30.3535 RESEARCH articLE www.pensoft.net/journals/jhr The male genitalia of ants: musculature, homology, and functional morphology (Hymenoptera, Aculeata, Formicidae) Brendon E. Boudinot1 1 The Evergreen State College, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, WA 98505, USA Corresponding author: Brendon E. Boudinot ([email protected]) Academic editor: Jack Neff | Received 17 July 2012 | Accepted 12 December 2012 | Published 30 January 2013 Citation: Boudinot BE (2013) The male genitalia of ants: musculature, homology, and functional morphology (Hymenoptera, Aculeata, Formicidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 30: 29–49. doi: 10.3897/JHR.30.3535 Abstract The genitalia of male ants are interpreted in the context of the broader Hymenoptera. For the first time muscle homologies are established for twenty six species of ants in nine subfamilies: Amblyoponinae, Cerapachyinae, Dolichoderinae, Ecitoninae, Ectatomminae, Formicinae, Leptanilloidinae, Myrmicinae and Ponerinae. Fifteen muscles in total are found in the external genitalia of male ants and all are ho- mologous with the musculature of basal Hymenoptera (Schulmeister 2001). Secondary fusion, reduc- tion or losses of muscles have occurred in different lineages. From generalized to derived, the functional morphology and qualitative mechanics of three taxa, Formica obscuripes Forel 1886, Messor andrei Mayr (1886) and Labidus coecus Latreille (1802) are described and compared. Special reference is made to the Ecitoninae, where the work of Birket-Smith (1981) is reinterpreted and volsellar homology is clarified. The true digitus of Labidus is revealed to be a small sclerite at the base of the distal volsellar element which is re-identified as the cuspis.
[Show full text]
Species Diversity and Distribution Patterns of the Ants of Amazonian Ecuador
Species Diversity and Distribution Patterns of the Ants of Amazonian Ecuador Kari T. Ryder Wilkie*, Amy L. Mertl, James F. A. Traniello Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America Abstract Ants are among the most diverse, abundant and ecologically significant organisms on earth. Although their species richness appears to be greatest in the New World tropics, global patterns of ant diversity and distribution are not well understood. We comprehensively surveyed ant diversity in a lowland primary rainforest in Western Amazonia, Ecuador using canopy fogging, pitfall traps, baits, hand collecting, mini-Winkler devices and subterranean probes to sample ants. A total of 489 ant species comprising 64 genera in nine subfamilies were identified from samples collected in only 0.16 square kilometers. The most species-rich genera were Camponotus, Pheidole, Pseudomyrmex, Pachycondyla, Brachymyrmex,andCrematogaster. Camponotus and Pseudomyrmex were most diverse in the canopy, while Pheidole was most diverse on the ground. The three most abundant ground-dwelling ant genera were Pheidole, Solenopsis and Pyramica. Crematogaster carinata was the most abundant ant species in the canopy; Wasmannia auropunctata was most abundant on the ground, and the army ant Labidus coecus was the most abundant subterranean species. Ant species composition among strata was significantly different: 80% of species were found in only one stratum, 17% in two strata, and 3% in all three strata. Elevation and the number of logs and twigs available as nest sites were significant predictors of ground-dwelling ant species richness. Canopy species richness was not correlated with any ecological variable measured. Subterranean species richness was negatively correlated with depth in the soil.
[Show full text]