DOCSLIB.ORG

The Pennsylvania State University

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University The Graduate School Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology SOCIAL INSECTS AS SOLITARY VEHICLES A Dissertation in Ecology by Emilia Solá Gracia 2017 Emilia Solá Gracia Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy August 2017 ii The dissertation of Emilia Solá Gracia was reviewed and approved* by the following: David P. Hughes Assistant Professor of Entomology and Biology Dissertation Advisor Chair of Committee Nina Jenkins Senior Research Associate Victoria Braithwaite Professor of Fisheries and Biology Ephraim Hanks Assistant Professor Jason Kaye Professor of Soil Biogeochemistry Professor in Charge *Signatures are on file in the Graduate School iii ABSTRACT Parasite-host interactions affect more than the two main characters. Organisms living in tight-knit communities depend on each other in order to survive. Individuals harboring a parasite can affect the delicate balance within these communities. While on the other hand the community could also have a strong effect on a parasite’s life cycle. I explore the effects infected individuals have on the within-nest dynamics of ant colonies. Additionally, I investigate the effects of infectious and non-infectious cadaver exposure have on worker behavior, as well as determine the effects workers have on the fungus protruding from the infectious cadavers. Using both a coevolved fungus, Ophiocordyceps unilateralis sensus lato, and a generalist fungus, Beauveria bassiana, I found infected workers do not strongly affect the within nest dynamics of Camponotus castaneus, the natural host of O. unilateralis s. l. Furthermore C. castaneus and C. pennsylvanicus manage infectious and non-infectious cadavers differently. Workers from C. castaneus colonies are adept in quickly removing cadavers with internal and external fungal development. While C. pennsylvanicus workers must come in contact with fungal tissue in order to recognize the disease threat. However, I found C. pennsylvanicus workers to be highly effective in reducing the infectivity of hazardous fungal conidia (i.e. asexual spores). Such findings could be caused by the wood nesting ecology this species has, as well as the higher aggression towards infectious cadavers. My research lays the foundation for future studies which focus on using semi-natural settings to study parasite- host and community dynamics. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................. vi LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................... ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................................... x DEDICATION ......................................................................................................................... xi Chapter 1: Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1 Background ...................................................................................................................... 1 Behavioral mechanisms for parasite defense ................................................................... 2 Objectives......................................................................................................................... 6 Chapter 2: Within the fortress: the tolerance of a specialized parasite in a social insect society ......................................................................................................... 8 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 9 Materials and Methods ..................................................................................................... 12 Results .............................................................................................................................. 19 Discussion ........................................................................................................................ 22 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 28 Chapter 3: Observations on a generalist entomopathogen within a social insect fortress............................................................................................................................. 36 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 37 Materials and Methods ..................................................................................................... 40 Results .............................................................................................................................. 45 Discussion ........................................................................................................................ 47 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 51 Chapter 4: Dynamics surrounding the dead: Do ant colonies recognize disease threats? ................................................................................................................. 60 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 61 Materials and Methods ..................................................................................................... 65 Results .............................................................................................................................. 76 Discussion ........................................................................................................................ 79 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 84 Chapter 5: The effectiveness of social behaviors in reducing fungal pathogenicity ........ 103 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 104 v Materials and Methods ..................................................................................................... 107 Results .............................................................................................................................. 114 Discussion ........................................................................................................................ 116 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 118 Chapter 6 Conclusion anf future directions ....................................................................... 128 Appendix A: Supplementary material for Chapter 2 ......................................................... 132 Appendix B: Supplementary material for Chapter 3 ......................................................... 137 Appendix C: Supplementary material for Chapter 4 ......................................................... 140 Appendix D: Supplementary material for Chapter 5 ......................................................... 143 References ............................................................................................................................... 146 vi LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2.1- Proportion of time spent in trophallaxis 6 days post-injection. ............................ 29 Figure 2.2- Extended trophallaxis observations ..................................................................... 30 Figure 2.3- Mean distance between focal individuals and nest entrance ............................... 32 Figure A .1- Mortality cuves ................................................................................................... 132 Figure A.2- Time spent within the nest .................................................................................. 133 Figure 3.1- Proportion of time workers spent in trophallaxis while inside the nest ............... 53 Figure 3.2- Number of trophallaxis events occuring within the nest ..................................... 55 Figure 3.3- Percent of the time individuals spent within the nest during our observational bouts .......................................................................................................... 57 Figure 3.4- Proportion time individuals performed vigilance behaviors while inside the nest ................................................................................................................................... 58 Figure B.1- Nest vigilance categorization .............................................................................. 137 Figure B.2- Healthy Beauveria bassiana growth from cadaver ............................................. 138 Figure B.3- Survival rate per treatment.................................................................................. 139 Figure 4.1- Time spent within th nest, percent of contacts, mortality, and infection for Camponotus castaneus nests which are open for the first 12 hours of exposure ............. 86 vii Figure 4.2- Time spent within th nest, percent of contacts, mortality, and infection for Camponotus pennsylvanicus nests which are open for the first 12 hours of exposure .... 88 Figure 4.3- Time spent within
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Colonization Overseas by Long-Range Aerial Drift in a Formicoxenine Ant (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
    Ent. Tidskr. 136 (2015) Long distance colonisation of an ant Colonization overseas by long-range aerial drift in a Formicoxenine ant (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) BErnhard SEifErT & andErS hagman Seifert, B. & hagman, a.: Colonization overseas by long-range aerial drift in a formico- xenine ant (hymenoptera, formicidae). [Luftspridning över havet av en liten ettermyra (Hymenoptera, Formicidae).] – Entomologisk Tidskrift 136 (1-2): 5-15. Uppsala, Swe- den 2015. iSSn 0013-886x. Temnothorax crassispinus (Karavajev, 1926) has been found new for Sweden on the island “hästnacken” in the Stockholm archipelago. it is morphologically extremely similar to its Swedish sibling T. nylanderi (förster, 1850). Three different exploratory data analysis methods achieved a full species separation with perfectly congruent classifications in a total of 135 nest samples from the entire European range. all Swedish samples of both spe- cies were clearly classified with posterior probabilities of p>0.998 if run as wild-card in a confirmative linear discriminant analysis. The close association of both species to temper- ate Quercus forest allows to reconstruct time and routes of postglacial immigration of both species from an italo-iberian (T. nylanderi) and Balkan (T. crassipinus) refuge. according to this, T. nylanderi entered the Swedish mainland in about 8300 BP (Skåne) and spread north to the Stockholm area until 5000 BP. Simultaneously, the advance of T. crassipinus from SE Europe was stopped by T. nylanderi along a 900-km long front line running from nW Poland through East germany south to Bavaria. Based on arguments from zoogeog- raphy, dispersal behavior, reproduction biology, meteorology and physiology, long-range aerial drift across the Baltic Sea is by far the most probable way for colonizing hästnacken by T.
    [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]
  • Ant–Fungus Species Combinations Engineer Physiological Activity Of
    © 2014. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd | The Journal of Experimental Biology (2014) 217, 2540-2547 doi:10.1242/jeb.098483 RESEARCH ARTICLE Ant–fungus species combinations engineer physiological activity of fungus gardens J. N. Seal1,2,*, M. Schiøtt3 and U. G. Mueller2 ABSTRACT such complexity, the fungus-gardening insects have evolved obligate Fungus-gardening insects are among the most complex organisms macro-symbioses with specific clades of fungi, and use fungal because of their extensive co-evolutionary histories with obligate symbionts essentially as an external digestive organ that allows the fungal symbionts and other microbes. Some fungus-gardening insect insect to thrive on otherwise non-digestible substrates, such as lineages share fungal symbionts with other members of their lineage structural carbohydrates of plants (e.g. cellulose) (Aanen et al., and thus exhibit diffuse co-evolutionary relationships, while others 2002; Aylward et al., 2012a; Aylward et al., 2012b; Bacci et al., exhibit little or no symbiont sharing, resulting in host–fungus fidelity. 1995; Farrell et al., 2001; De Fine Licht and Biedermann, 2012; The mechanisms that maintain this symbiont fidelity are currently Martin, 1987a; Mueller et al., 2005). One of the most striking unknown. Prior work suggested that derived leaf-cutting ants in the attributes of these symbioses is the degree of physiological genus Atta interact synergistically with leaf-cutter fungi (Attamyces) integration: the insect host functions as a distributor of fungal by exhibiting higher fungal growth rates and enzymatic activities than enzymes, which digest plant fibers external to the insect’s body when growing a fungus from the sister-clade to Attamyces (so-called (Aanen and Eggleton, 2005; Aylward et al., 2012b; De Fine Licht ‘Trachymyces’), grown primarily by the non-leaf cutting and Biedermann, 2012; De Fine Licht et al., 2013; Martin, 1987b; Trachymyrmex ants that form, correspondingly, the sister-clade to Schiøtt et al., 2010).
    [Show full text]
  • Effect of Temperature and Social Environment on Worker Size in The
    Effect of temperature and social environment on worker size in the ant Temnothorax nylanderi Mathieu Molet, Romain Péronnet, Sébastien Couette, Christophe Canovas, Claudie Doums To cite this version: Mathieu Molet, Romain Péronnet, Sébastien Couette, Christophe Canovas, Claudie Doums. Effect of temperature and social environment on worker size in the ant Temnothorax nylanderi. Journal of Thermal Biology, Elsevier, 2017, 67, pp.22-29. 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2017.04.013. hal-01517405 HAL Id: hal-01517405 https://hal.sorbonne-universite.fr/hal-01517405 Submitted on 3 May 2017 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. Effect of temperature and social environment on worker size in the ant Temnothorax nylanderi Mathieu Moleta*, Romain Péronneta, Sébastien Couetteb,c, Christophe Canovasa, Claudie Doumsc,d aSorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris UMR7618, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France bBiogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, Univ Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 6 bv Gabriel, 21000 Dijon cEPHE, PSL Research University, 75014 Paris dInstitut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), EPHE, CNRS, UPMC Univ Paris 06, MNHN, Sorbonne Universités ,45 rue Buffon, CP 39, 75005 Paris, France [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] *Corresponding author.
    [Show full text]
  • Morphological Variability of Intercastes in the Ant Temnothorax Nylanderi: Pattern of Trait Expression and Modularity
    Morphological variability of intercastes in the ant Temnothorax nylanderi: pattern of trait expression and modularity Y. Okada, L. Plateaux & C. Peeters Insectes Sociaux International Journal for the Study of Social Arthropods ISSN 0020-1812 Insect. Soc. DOI 10.1007/s00040-013-0296-4 1 23 Author's personal copy Insect. Soc. DOI 10.1007/s00040-013-0296-4 Insectes Sociaux RESEARCH ARTICLE Morphological variability of intercastes in the ant Temnothorax nylanderi: pattern of trait expression and modularity Y. Okada • L. Plateaux • C. Peeters Received: 2 November 2012 / Revised: 6 March 2013 / Accepted: 6 March 2013 Ó International Union for the Study of Social Insects (IUSSI) 2013 Abstract Ants have distinct morphological castes (queens intercaste variability, and suggests the existence of con- and workers), but aberrant queen-worker ‘‘intercastes’’ straints on recombination of caste-specific modular traits. occasionally occur, both in wild and laboratory conditions. Intercastes are rare, however, such novel phenotypes may Keywords Intercaste Modularity have evolutionary significance. Their morphology is highly Morphological integrationÁ PolyphenismÁ Á variable in any given species, providing valuable informa- tion about the integration of queen traits (e.g. ocelli, wings, complex segmentation of thorax, large gaster and ovaries, Introduction spermatheca). Generally, these traits are all diminished or absent in workers. We used multivariate morphometry to In a proportion of eusocial insects, reproductive division of analyze an exceptionally large sample of 101 intercastes of labor is based on morphological specialization among col- Temnothorax nylanderi. We determined distributions and ony members. This is most pronounced in ants because correlations of traits, and confirmed the mosaic nature of workers always lack wings and often show greatly reduced intercastes.
    [Show full text]
  • Hibernation Conditions Contribute to the Differential Resistance to Cadmium Between Urban and Forest Ant Colonies
    animals Article Hibernation Conditions Contribute to the Differential Resistance to Cadmium between Urban and Forest Ant Colonies Lauren Jacquier 1,*, Mathieu Molet 1,Céline Bocquet 1 and Claudie Doums 2,3 1 Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris (IEES-Paris), UPEC, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, IRD, INRA, 75005 Paris, France; [email protected] (M.M.); [email protected] (C.B.) 2 Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE-PSL, Université des Antilles, 75005 Paris, France; [email protected] 3 Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes-Paris Sciences Lettre University, 75014 Paris, France * Correspondence: [email protected] Simple Summary: The resistance of organisms to trace metals can have a genetic or a plastic origin. Indeed, differential environmental conditions experienced before the exposure to trace metals could physiologically condition organisms and plastically enhance their subsequent resistance to trace metals. In this study on the ant Temnothorax nylanderi, we investigated whether the better cadmium resistance of urban colonies relative to forest colonies could originate from the distinct hibernation conditions that they experienced prior to cadmium exposure. We compared the ability of urban and forest colonies to resist cadmium depending on whether they had hibernated in their respective urban or forest habitats or under a laboratory common garden setup. We found that urban colonies resisted cadmium better than forest colonies when they had hibernated under a common garden. Citation: Jacquier, L.; Molet, M.; Surprisingly, this difference was not observed between urban and forest colonies that had hibernated Bocquet, C.; Doums, C.
    [Show full text]
  • Through Arthropod Eyes Gaining Mechanistic Understanding of Calcareous Grassland Diversity
    Through arthropod eyes Gaining mechanistic understanding of calcareous grassland diversity Toos van Noordwijk Through arthropod eyes Gaining mechanistic understanding of calcareous grassland diversity Van Noordwijk, C.G.E. 2014. Through arthropod eyes. Gaining mechanistic understanding of calcareous grassland diversity. Ph.D. thesis, Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Keywords: Biodiversity, chalk grassland, dispersal tactics, conservation management, ecosystem restoration, fragmentation, grazing, insect conservation, life‑history strategies, traits. ©2014, C.G.E. van Noordwijk ISBN: 978‑90‑77522‑06‑6 Printed by: Gildeprint ‑ Enschede Lay‑out: A.M. Antheunisse Cover photos: Aart Noordam (Bijenwolf, Philanthus triangulum) Toos van Noordwijk (Laamhei) The research presented in this thesis was financially spupported by and carried out at: 1) Bargerveen Foundation, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; 2) Department of Animal Ecology and Ecophysiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands; 3) Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Ghent University, Belgium. The research was in part commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation as part of the O+BN program (Development and Management of Nature Quality). Financial support from Radboud University for printing this thesis is gratefully acknowledged. Through arthropod eyes Gaining mechanistic understanding of calcareous grassland diversity Proefschrift ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor aan de Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen op gezag van de rector magnificus prof. mr. S.C.J.J. Kortmann volgens besluit van het college van decanen en ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor in de biologie aan de Universiteit Gent op gezag van de rector prof. dr. Anne De Paepe, in het openbaar te verdedigen op dinsdag 26 augustus 2014 om 10.30 uur precies door Catharina Gesina Elisabeth van Noordwijk geboren op 9 februari 1981 te Smithtown, USA Promotoren: Prof.
    [Show full text]
  • Rachel Raudenbush
    Nathan E. Smith PhD Candidate - Arizona State University – School of Life Sciences EDUCATION Arizona State University Tempe, AZ August 2013-present Animal Behavior PhD student GPA: 4.0 Juniata College Huntingdon, Pennsylvania May 2013 Bachelor of Science Major: Biology Minor: Anthropology GPA: 3.93 Summa cum laude with Honors in biology RESEARCH EXPERIENCES PhD Candidate- Arizona State University Fall 2013-Present Dissertation: Macronutrient Regulation by the Desert Leafcutter Ant Acromyrmex versicolor Research Assistant- Dr. Peter Dedon, MIT Summer 2012 Genomic Mapping of DNA Damage Research Assistant- Dr. Jill Keeney, Juniata College Spring 2011-Spring 2013 Identifying the role of an orphan gene in the mechanism of retrotransposition in yeast Research Assistant- Dr. Norris Muth, Juniata College Spring 2010-Fall 2010 Plant community restoration after mortality of an invasive species AWARDS Social Insect Research Group Student Grant ($1000) Fall 2018 School of Life Sciences Travel Award ($400) Summer 2018, Summer 2017, Fall 2016 School of Life Sciences RTI Graduate Fieldwork Award ($2000) Spring 2017 School of Life Sciences RTI Graduate Fieldwork Award ($1500) Spring 2016 School of Life Sciences Graduate Research Scholarship ($3500) Summer 2015 School of Life Sciences Graduate Research Scholarship ($4000) Summer 2014 The Brumbaugh Science Prize for academic achievement, Juniata College ($500) Spring 2013 The William A. Schlicter Award for academic achievement and character, Juniata College ($500) Spring 2013 Dr. Homer & Ethel Will Endowed Scholarship Fund in Biology, Juniata College ($150) Spring 2012 VonLiebig Student Research Fellowship, Juniata College ($2000) Summer 2010 Robert C. Byrd Scholarship ($1500) Summer 2009 MEMBERSHIPS Animal Behavior Society International Union for the Study of Social Insects Entomological Society of America βββ, National Biological Honor Society Juniata College Honors Society PUBLICATIONS Patrick T.
    [Show full text]
  • The Coexistence
    Myrmecological News 13 37-55 2009, Online Earlier Natural history and phylogeny of the fungus-farming ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Attini) Natasha J. MEHDIABADI & Ted R. SCHULTZ Abstract Ants of the tribe Attini comprise a monophyletic group of approximately 230 described and many more undescribed species that obligately depend on the cultivation of fungus for food. In return, the ants nourish, protect, and disperse their fungal cultivars. Although all members of this tribe cultivate fungi, attine ants are surprisingly heterogeneous with regard to symbiont associations and agricultural system, colony size and social structure, nesting behavior, and mating system. This variation is a key reason that the Attini have become a model system for understanding the evolution of complex symbioses. Here, we review the natural-history traits of fungus-growing ants in the context of a recently published phylo- geny, collating patterns of evolution and symbiotic coadaptation in a variety of colony and fungus-gardening traits in a number of major lineages. We discuss the implications of these patterns and suggest future research directions. Key words: Hymenoptera, Formicidae, fungus-growing ants, leafcutter ants, colony life, natural history, evolution, mating, agriculture, review. Myrmecol. News 13: 37-55 (online xxx 2008) ISSN 1994-4136 (print), ISSN 1997-3500 (online) Received 12 June 2009; revision received 24 September 2009; accepted 28 September 2009 Dr. Natasha J. Mehdiabadi* (contact author) & Dr. Ted R. Schultz* (contact author), Department of Entomology and Laboratories of Analytical Biology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, P.O. Box 37012, NHB, CE518, MRC 188, Washington, DC 20013-7012, USA. E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] * Both authors contributed equally to the work.
    [Show full text]
  • Hymenoptera: Formicidae
    NATAL NEST DISTRIBUTION AND PLEOMETROSIS IN THE DESERT LEAF-CUTTER ANT A CROMYRMEX I/ERSICOLOR (PERGANDE) (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE) BY STEVEN W. RISSING,* ROBERT A. JOHNSON,* AND GREGORY B. POLLOCK** While most ant colonies are started by single queens, colony foundation by groups of queens, pleometrosis, also occurs (Wilson 1971, H6lldobler and Wilson 1977). Several extensively studied, highly pleometrotic species are notably similar with respect to important aspects of colony ontogeny and population dynamics. Myrmecocystus mimicus, Solenopsis invicta and l/'eromessor per- gandei queens found colonies mutualistically without respect to relatedness (Bartz and H6lldobler 1982, Tschinkel and Howard 1983, Pollock and Rissing 1985, Rissing and Pollock 1986). Further, while adult colonies of these species are highly territorial (Htill- dobler 1976a, 1981; Wilson et al. 1971; Went et al. 1972, Wheeler and Rissing 1975), natal colonies are clumped with brood raiding and subsequent worker defection from brood-raided colonies occur- ring (references cited above for M. mimicus and S. invicta, for F. pergandei: Rissing and Pollock, in press). Given such frequently deleterious natal colony interactions, adaptive value of b.abitat selection by founding queens resulting in clumping of natal nests is unclear. Natal nests of M. mimicus are generally clumped in areas devoid of adult nests (Bartz and H6lldobler 1982), yet still occur near such nests (B. H611dobler, pers. comm.), and queens of S. invicta show some preference for microtopographic features (Tschinkel and Howard 1983). Here we present data relating habitat selection and clumping of natal nests of the highly pleometrotic leaf- cutter ant Acromyrmex versicolor (Pergande) directly to survival of founding queens.
    [Show full text]
  • Hybridization in Ants
    Rockefeller University Digital Commons @ RU Student Theses and Dissertations 2020 Hybridization in Ants Ian Butler Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.rockefeller.edu/ student_theses_and_dissertations Part of the Life Sciences Commons HYBRIDIZATION 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 Ian Butler June 2020 © Copyright by Ian Butler 2020 HYBRIDIZATION IN ANTS Ian Butler, Ph.D. The Rockefeller University 2020 Interspecific hybridization is a relatively common occurrence within all animal groups. Two main factors make hybridization act differently in ants than in other species: eusociality and haplodiploidy. These factors serve to reduce the costs of interspecific hybridization in ants while simultaneously allowing them to take advantage of certain benefits. Eusociality may mitigate the effects of hybridization by allowing hybrids to be shunted into the worker caste, potentially reducing the effects of hybrid sterility. In haplodiploid species, males do not have a father. They instead develop from unfertilized eggs as haploid clones of their mother. This means that interspecifically mated queens do not completely sacrifice reproductive potential even if all hybrids are sterile because they can still produce fertile males. These factors in turn suggest that hybridization should be more common among the social Hymenoptera than other animal groups. Nevertheless, current data suggest that ants hybridize at rates similar to other animal groups, although these data are limited. Furthermore, there is a large amount of overlap between cases of interspecific hybridization and cases of genetic caste determination. A majority of the cases in ants where caste is determined primarily by genotype are associated with hybridization.
    [Show full text]