MYRMECOLOGICAL NOTES by WILLIAM MORTON WHEELER Biological Laboratories, Harvard University
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Sociogenetic Organization of the Red Honey Ant (Melophorus Bagoti)
insects Article Sociogenetic Organization of the Red Honey Ant (Melophorus bagoti) Nathan Lecocq de Pletincx * and Serge Aron Evolutionary Biology & Ecology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +32-472015404 Received: 6 October 2020; Accepted: 2 November 2020; Published: 4 November 2020 Simple Summary: Monogamy is thought to be a major factor having favored the evolution of a non- reproductive worker caste in eusocial insects because it optimizes the relatedness among colony members. However, polyandry evolved secondarily in a large number of species. By increasing the genetic diversity within colonies, multiple mating can enhance worker task efficiency and resistance to diseases. Polyandry may also favor social harmony by reducing worker–queen conflict over male parentage. This is because in colonies headed by a single, multiple-mated queen, workers can increase their inclusive fitness by rearing their brothers (queen sons) rather than their nephews (offspring of other workers). Using DNA microsatellites, we showed that nests of the red honey ant, Melophorus bagoti, are headed by a single, multiple-mated queen. Morphometric analyses revealed two distinct worker subcastes: majors and minors; yet, we found no relationship between worker patriline and worker subcaste. Workers can produce males in the presence of the queen under natural conditions, which contrasts with predictions of inclusive fitness theory. Abstract: Kin selection and inclusive fitness are thought to be key factors explaining the reproductive altruism displayed by workers in eusocial insect species. However, when a colony’s queen has mated with <2 males, workers may increase their fitness by producing their own male offspring. -
The Nature of Northern Australia
THE NATURE OF NORTHERN AUSTRALIA Natural values, ecological processes and future prospects 1 (Inside cover) Lotus Flowers, Blue Lagoon, Lakefield National Park, Cape York Peninsula. Photo by Kerry Trapnell 2 Northern Quoll. Photo by Lochman Transparencies 3 Sammy Walker, elder of Tirralintji, Kimberley. Photo by Sarah Legge 2 3 4 Recreational fisherman with 4 barramundi, Gulf Country. Photo by Larissa Cordner 5 Tourists in Zebidee Springs, Kimberley. Photo by Barry Traill 5 6 Dr Tommy George, Laura, 6 7 Cape York Peninsula. Photo by Kerry Trapnell 7 Cattle mustering, Mornington Station, Kimberley. Photo by Alex Dudley ii THE NATURE OF NORTHERN AUSTRALIA Natural values, ecological processes and future prospects AUTHORS John Woinarski, Brendan Mackey, Henry Nix & Barry Traill PROJECT COORDINATED BY Larelle McMillan & Barry Traill iii Published by ANU E Press Design by Oblong + Sons Pty Ltd The Australian National University 07 3254 2586 Canberra ACT 0200, Australia www.oblong.net.au Email: [email protected] Web: http://epress.anu.edu.au Printed by Printpoint using an environmentally Online version available at: http://epress. friendly waterless printing process, anu.edu.au/nature_na_citation.html eliminating greenhouse gas emissions and saving precious water supplies. National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry This book has been printed on ecoStar 300gsm and 9Lives 80 Silk 115gsm The nature of Northern Australia: paper using soy-based inks. it’s natural values, ecological processes and future prospects. EcoStar is an environmentally responsible 100% recycled paper made from 100% ISBN 9781921313301 (pbk.) post-consumer waste that is FSC (Forest ISBN 9781921313318 (online) Stewardship Council) CoC (Chain of Custody) certified and bleached chlorine free (PCF). -
Level 1 Fauna Survey of the Gruyere Gold Project Borefields (Harewood 2016)
GOLD ROAD RESOURCES LIMITED GRUYERE PROJECT EPA REFERRAL SUPPORTING DOCUMENT APPENDIX 5: LEVEL 1 FAUNA SURVEY OF THE GRUYERE GOLD PROJECT BOREFIELDS (HAREWOOD 2016) Gruyere EPA Ref Support Doc Final Rev 1.docx Fauna Assessment (Level 1) Gruyere Borefield Project Gold Road Resources Limited January 2016 Version 3 On behalf of: Gold Road Resources Limited C/- Botanica Consulting PO Box 2027 BOULDER WA 6432 T: 08 9093 0024 F: 08 9093 1381 Prepared by: Greg Harewood Zoologist PO Box 755 BUNBURY WA 6231 M: 0402 141 197 T/F: (08) 9725 0982 E: [email protected] GRUYERE BOREFIELD PROJECT –– GOLD ROAD RESOURCES LTD – FAUNA ASSESSMENT (L1) – JAN 2016 – V3 TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY 1. INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................1 2. SCOPE OF WORKS ...............................................................................................1 3. RELEVANT LEGISTALATION ................................................................................2 4. METHODS...............................................................................................................3 4.1 POTENTIAL VETEBRATE FAUNA INVENTORY - DESKTOP SURVEY ............. 3 4.1.1 Database Searches.......................................................................................3 4.1.2 Previous Fauna Surveys in the Area ............................................................3 4.1.3 Existing Publications .....................................................................................5 4.1.4 Fauna -
The Functions and Evolution of Social Fluid Exchange in Ant Colonies (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Marie-Pierre Meurville & Adria C
ISSN 1997-3500 Myrmecological News myrmecologicalnews.org Myrmecol. News 31: 1-30 doi: 10.25849/myrmecol.news_031:001 13 January 2021 Review Article Trophallaxis: the functions and evolution of social fluid exchange in ant colonies (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Marie-Pierre Meurville & Adria C. LeBoeuf Abstract Trophallaxis is a complex social fluid exchange emblematic of social insects and of ants in particular. Trophallaxis behaviors are present in approximately half of all ant genera, distributed over 11 subfamilies. Across biological life, intra- and inter-species exchanged fluids tend to occur in only the most fitness-relevant behavioral contexts, typically transmitting endogenously produced molecules adapted to exert influence on the receiver’s physiology or behavior. Despite this, many aspects of trophallaxis remain poorly understood, such as the prevalence of the different forms of trophallaxis, the components transmitted, their roles in colony physiology and how these behaviors have evolved. With this review, we define the forms of trophallaxis observed in ants and bring together current knowledge on the mechanics of trophallaxis, the contents of the fluids transmitted, the contexts in which trophallaxis occurs and the roles these behaviors play in colony life. We identify six contexts where trophallaxis occurs: nourishment, short- and long-term decision making, immune defense, social maintenance, aggression, and inoculation and maintenance of the gut microbiota. Though many ideas have been put forth on the evolution of trophallaxis, our analyses support the idea that stomodeal trophallaxis has become a fixed aspect of colony life primarily in species that drink liquid food and, further, that the adoption of this behavior was key for some lineages in establishing ecological dominance. -
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. -
The Nature of Northern Australia
THE NATURE OF NORTHERN AUSTRALIA Natural values, ecological processes and future prospects 1 (Inside cover) Lotus Flowers, Blue Lagoon, Lakefield National Park, Cape York Peninsula. Photo by Kerry Trapnell 2 Northern Quoll. Photo by Lochman Transparencies 3 Sammy Walker, elder of Tirralintji, Kimberley. Photo by Sarah Legge 2 3 4 Recreational fisherman with 4 barramundi, Gulf Country. Photo by Larissa Cordner 5 Tourists in Zebidee Springs, Kimberley. Photo by Barry Traill 5 6 Dr Tommy George, Laura, 6 7 Cape York Peninsula. Photo by Kerry Trapnell 7 Cattle mustering, Mornington Station, Kimberley. Photo by Alex Dudley ii THE NATURE OF NORTHERN AUSTRALIA Natural values, ecological processes and future prospects AUTHORS John Woinarski, Brendan Mackey, Henry Nix & Barry Traill PROJECT COORDINATED BY Larelle McMillan & Barry Traill iii Published by ANU E Press Design by Oblong + Sons Pty Ltd The Australian National University 07 3254 2586 Canberra ACT 0200, Australia www.oblong.net.au Email: [email protected] Web: http://epress.anu.edu.au Printed by Printpoint using an environmentally Online version available at: http://epress. friendly waterless printing process, anu.edu.au/nature_na_citation.html eliminating greenhouse gas emissions and saving precious water supplies. National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry This book has been printed on ecoStar 300gsm and 9Lives 80 Silk 115gsm The nature of Northern Australia: paper using soy-based inks. it’s natural values, ecological processes and future prospects. EcoStar is an environmentally responsible 100% recycled paper made from 100% ISBN 9781921313301 (pbk.) post-consumer waste that is FSC (Forest ISBN 9781921313318 (online) Stewardship Council) CoC (Chain of Custody) certified and bleached chlorine free (PCF). -
Download Full Article 1.3MB .Pdf File
October 1947 MEM. NAT. Mus. VrcT., 15, 1947 https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.1947.15.01 NEW SPECIES OF TlIE GENERA PROLASIUS FOREL AND l\IELOPHORUS LUBBOCI( (1-IY.MENOPTERA FOR.l\UCIDAE) By J. J. lllcAreavey, S . .J. Plate 1, Fig. 1. (Received for publication May '2i, 194:i) Although this paper is concerned almost entirely with species of Prolasius, it fa not meant to be a revision of that genus. Species described by Clark from the Otway Ranges (l\Icm. Nat. Mus. Viet. 8, pp. 66-70, 1934), aucl seY<'l'al species previously l'egarded as belonging to other genera, have been included as well as a number of new species. Since, howeYer, only those 11ew species of which considerable nurnbers of specimens could be examinecl arc described in this paper, and since it is known that there arc undescribed species in various collections, a complete revision of the genus Prolasius -would contain more than t\vice the number of ants here described. ,Vheeler included among JJrolasi11s the spe('ies Noto11c11s hick 'Jllani Clark and Noto11c11s rotundiccJ>S Clark (Roy. Soe. Viet. 42, pp. 126-127, ]929), though in his art iclc (Psyche 42, l\larch pp. 68-72, 1935) he docs 11ot give the reason for this change. This does not appear to be correct, since apart from the difference i11 the structure of the thorax, neither of tht�e species has the ocelli, ,vhich are always present in Prolasius. However, from the descriptions and figures, neither of these species seem to belong to ]\T oto11c11s, for the pronotum and rnetanoturu lack the character istics of that genus, and again ocelli should be present, as in other species of Notoncus. -
Idiosyncratic Route-Based Memories in Desert Ants, Melophorus Bagoti: How Do They Interact with Path-Integration Vectors?
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory 83 (2005) 1–12 www.elsevier.com/locate/ynlme Idiosyncratic route-based memories in desert ants, Melophorus bagoti: How do they interact with path-integration vectors? Martin Kohler, Ru¨diger Wehner* Institute of Zoology, University of Zu¨rich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zu¨rich, Switzerland Received 24 December 2003; revised 10 May 2004; accepted 25 May 2004 Available online 13 August 2004 Abstract Individually foraging desert ants of central Australia, Melophorus bagoti, exhibit amazingly precise mechanisms of visual land- mark guidance when navigating through cluttered environments. If trained to shuttle back and forth between the nest and a feeder, they establish habitual outbound and inbound routes, which guide them idiosyncratically across the natural maze of extended arrays of grass tussocks covering their foraging areas. The route-based memories that usually differ between outbound and inbound runs are acquired already during the first runs to the nest and feeder. If the ants are displaced sideways of their habitual routes, they can enter their stereotyped routes at any place and then follow these routes with the same accuracy as if they had started at the usual point of departure. Furthermore, the accuracy of maintaining a route does not depend on whether homebound ants have been cap- tured at the feeder shortly before starting their home run and, hence, with their home vector still fully available (full-vector ants), or whether they have been captured at the nest after they had already completed their home run (zero-vector ants). Hence, individual landmark memories can be retrieved independently of the state of the path-integration vector with which they have been associated during the acquisition phase of learning. -
Hymenoptera, Formicidae) 1 Doi: 10.3897/Zookeys.700.11784 Research Article Launched to Accelerate Biodiversity Research
A peer-reviewed open-access journal ZooKeys 700: 1–420 (2017)Revision of the ant genus Melophorus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) 1 doi: 10.3897/zookeys.700.11784 RESEARCH ARTICLE http://zookeys.pensoft.net Launched to accelerate biodiversity research Revision of the ant genus Melophorus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) Brian E. Heterick1,2, Mark Castalanelli3, Steve O. Shattuck4 1 Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U1987, Perth WA, Australia, 6845 2 Western Australian Museum, Locked Bag 49, Welshpool DC. WA, Australia, 6986 3 EcoDiagnostics Pty Ltd, 48 Banksia Rd, Welshpool WA 6106 4 C/o CSIRO Entomology, P. O. Box 1700, Canberra, Australia, ACT 2601 Corresponding author: Brian Heterick ([email protected]) Academic editor: B. Fisher | Received 17 January 2017 | Accepted 22 June 2017 | Published 20 September 2017 http://zoobank.org/EBA43227-20AD-4CFF-A04E-8D2542DDA3D6 Citation: Heterick BE, Castalanelli M, Shattuck SO (2017) Revision of the ant genus Melophorus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). ZooKeys 700: 1–420. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.700.11784 Abstract The fauna of the purely Australian formicine ant genus Melophorus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is revised. This project involved integrated morphological and molecular taxonomy using one mitochondrial gene (COI) and four nuclear genes (AA, H3, LR and Wg). Seven major clades were identified and are here designated as the M. aeneovirens, M. anderseni, M. biroi, M. fulvihirtus, M. ludius, M. majeri and M. potteri species-groups. Within these clades, smaller complexes of similar species were also identified and designated species-complexes. The M. ludius species-group was identified purely on molecular grounds, as the morphol- ogy of its members is indistinguishable from typical members of the M. -
Australia's Biodiversity – Responses to Fire
AUSTRALIA’S BIODIVERSITY – RESPONSES TO FIRE Plants, birds and invertebrates A.M. Gill, J.C.Z. Woinarski, A. York Biodiversity Technical Paper, No. 1 Cover photograph credits Group of 3 small photos, front cover: • Cockatiel. The Cockatiel is one of a group of highly mobile birds which track resource-rich areas. These areas fluctuate across broad landscapes in response to local rainfall or fire events. Large flocks may congregate on recently-burnt areas. /Michael Seyfort © Nature Focus • Fern regeneration post-fire, Clyde Mountain, NSW, 1988. /A. Malcolm Gill • These bull ants (Myrmecia gulosa) are large ants which generally build small mounds and prefer open areas in which to forage for food. They are found on frequently burnt sites. Despite their fierce appearance, they feed mainly on plant products. /Alan York. Small photo, lower right, front cover: • Fuel reduction burning in dry forest. This burn is towards the “hotter” end of the desirable range. /Alan York Large photo on spine: • Forest fire, Kapalga, NT, 1990. /Malcolm Gill Small photo, back cover: • Cycad response after fire near Darwin, NT. /Malcolm Gill ISBN 0 642 21422 0 Published by the Department of the Environment and Heritage © Commonwealth of Australia, 1999 Information presented in this document may be copied for personal use or pub- lished for educational purposes, provided that any extracts are acknowledged. The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department, or of the Commonwealth of Australia. Biodiversity Convention and Strategy Section Department of the Environment and Heritage GPO Box 636 CANBERRA ACT 2601 General enquiries, telephone 1800 803772 Design: Design One Solutions, Canberra Printing: Goanna Print, Canberra Printed in Australia on recycled Australian paper AUSTRALIA’S BIODIVERSITY – RESPONSES TO FIRE Plants, birds and invertebrates A. -
Rangelands, Western Australia
Biodiversity Summary for NRM Regions Species List What is the summary for and where does it come from? This list has been produced by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPC) for the Natural Resource Management Spatial Information System. The list was produced using the AustralianAustralian Natural Natural Heritage Heritage Assessment Assessment Tool Tool (ANHAT), which analyses data from a range of plant and animal surveys and collections from across Australia to automatically generate a report for each NRM region. Data sources (Appendix 2) include national and state herbaria, museums, state governments, CSIRO, Birds Australia and a range of surveys conducted by or for DEWHA. For each family of plant and animal covered by ANHAT (Appendix 1), this document gives the number of species in the country and how many of them are found in the region. It also identifies species listed as Vulnerable, Critically Endangered, Endangered or Conservation Dependent under the EPBC Act. A biodiversity summary for this region is also available. For more information please see: www.environment.gov.au/heritage/anhat/index.html Limitations • ANHAT currently contains information on the distribution of over 30,000 Australian taxa. This includes all mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and fish, 137 families of vascular plants (over 15,000 species) and a range of invertebrate groups. Groups notnot yet yet covered covered in inANHAT ANHAT are notnot included included in in the the list. list. • The data used come from authoritative sources, but they are not perfect. All species names have been confirmed as valid species names, but it is not possible to confirm all species locations. -
Desert Ants (Melophorus Bagoti) Navigating with Robustness to Distortions of the Natural Panorama
Desert ants (Melophorus bagoti) navigating with robustness to distortions of the natural panorama S. Schwarz, E. Julle-Daniere, L. Morin, P. Schultheiss, A. Wystrach, J. Ives, K. Cheng Abstract Many insects are known to use the terrestrial visual panorama for navigation. Research suggests that large- scale panoramic properties are often used for orientation rather than individual objects, usually called landmarks. We degraded the natural panorama encountered by Australian red honey ants, Melophorus bagoti, to test how robust their orientation based on the terrestrial panorama is. Foraging ants were lured to a feeder at a constant location. Trained ants were allowed to run home individually with food, but were captured just before they entered their nest. The tested ant was brought back to the location of the feeder, now covered, and allowed to run home again under different distortions of the natural panorama. In one experiment, a large tract of the view on one side of the feeder was obstructed by a tall plastic sheet. In a second experiment, the visual heights of terrestrial objects were altered by raising or lowering the ant by 80 cm. Under both kinds of distortions, the ants continued to be well oriented in the homeward direction. Navigation based on the natural terrestrial panorama proved robust to large distortions. Introduction Path integration and view-based navigation utilising the visual panorama are major means of navigation in animals (Cheng and Spetch, 1998; Wehner and Srinivasan, 2003; Etienne and Jeffery, 2004; Wiener et al., 2011). In path integration, the navigator keeps track of the straight-line distance and direction from the starting point (typically home), and then uses this constantly updated vector to navigate back.