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139 results for “Social parasitism”
Biogeography and evolution of social parasitism in Australian Myrmecia bulldog ants revealed by phylogenomics
<p>Studying the historical biogeography and life history transitions from eusocial colony life to social parasitism contributes to our understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms generating biodiversity in eusocial insects. The bulldog ants in the genus <em>Myrmecia</em> are a well-suited system for testing competing evolutionary hypotheses about how their species diversity was assembled through time because the genus is endemic to Australia with the single exception of the species <em>Myrmecia apicalis </em>inhabiting the Pacific Island of New Caledonia and because at least one social parasite species exists in the genus. However, the evolutionary mechanisms underlying the disjunct biogeographic distribution of <em>M. apicalis</em> and the life history transition(s) to social parasitism remain unexplored. To study the biogeographic origin of the isolated, oceanic species <em>M. apicalis</em> and to reveal the origin and evolutionary history of social parasitism in the genus, we reconstructed a comprehensive phylogeny of the ant subfamily Myrmeciinae. We utilized Ultra Conserved Elements (UCEs) as molecular markers to generate a comprehensive molecular genetic dataset consisting of 2,287 loci per taxon on average for 66 out of the 93 known <em>Myrmecia </em>species as well as for the sister lineage <em>Nothomyrmecia macrops</em> and selected outgroup taxa. Our time-calibrated phylogeny inferred that: (i) stem myrmeciine ants originated during the Paleocene ~58 Ma ago; (ii) the current disjunct biogeographic distribution of <em>M. apicalis </em>was driven by long-distance dispersal from Australia to New Caledonia during the Miocene ~14 Ma ago; (iii) the single social parasite species, <em>M. inquilina</em>, exploits three host species and evolved directly from one of the known host species, <em>M. nigriceps</em>, most likely via the intraspecific route of social parasite evolution in sympatry; and (iv) 5 of the 9 previously established taxonomic species groups are non-monophyletic. We suggest minor changes to reconcile the molecular phylogenetic results with the taxonomic classification. Our study enhances our understanding of the evolution and biogeography of Australian bulldog ants in the genus <em>Myrmecia</em>, contributes to our knowledge about the evolution of social parasitism in ants, and provides a solid phylogenetic foundation for future inquiries </p>
Data from: The socially parasitic ant Polyergus mexicanus has host-associated genetic population structure and related neighboring nests
<p>The genetic structure of populations can be both a cause and a consequence of ecological interactions. For parasites, genetic structure may be a consequence of preferences for host species or of mating behavior. Conversely, genetic structure can determine where conspecific interactions among parasites lay on a spectrum from cooperation to conflict. We used microsatellite loci to characterize the genetic structure of a population of the socially parasitic dulotic (aka "slave-making") ant (<i>Polyergus mexicanus</i>), which is known for its host-specificity and conspecific aggression. First, we assessed whether the pattern of host species use by the parasite has influenced parasite population structure. We found that host species use was correlated with subpopulation structure, but this correlation was imperfect: some subpopulations used one host species exclusively, while others used several. Second, we examined the viscosity of the parasite population by measuring the relatedness of pairs of neighboring parasitic ant nests at varying distances from each other. Although natural history observations of local dispersal by queens suggested the potential for viscosity, there was no strong correlation between relatedness and distance between nests. However, 35% of nests had a closely related neighboring nest, indicating that kinship could potentially affect the nature of some interactions between nests of this social parasite. Our findings confirm that ecological forces like host species selection can shape the genetic structure of parasite populations, and that such genetic structure has the potential to influence parasite-parasite interactions in social parasites via inclusive fitness.</p>
Global biogeography of ant social parasites: Exploring patterns and mechanisms of an inverse latitudinal diversity gradient
<p><strong>Aim</strong>: One of the most consistent global biogeographic patterns is the latitudinal diversity gradient where species richness peaks within the equatorial tropics and decreases towards the poles. Here, we explore the global biogeography of socially parasitic ants, which comprises the most diverse group of social parasites in the Hymenoptera. We test the biogeographic hypothesis that ant social parasites are distributed along an inverse latitudinal diversity gradient by peaking in diversity outside of the equatorial tropics.</p> <p><strong>Location</strong>: Global</p> <p><strong>Taxon</strong>: Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)</p> <p><strong>Methods</strong>: We assembled a comprehensive biogeographic dataset for all 371 taxonomically described socially parasitic ant species. We used phylogenetic and taxonomic studies to compare species richness with the number of species representing independent evolutionary origins of social parasitism across a latitudinal gradient. In addition, we compared ant social parasite diversity across biogeographic regions using rarefaction to account for different sampling efforts. Finally, we tested for a correlation between latitude and the proportion of ant social parasite species within regional ant faunae.</p> <p><strong>Results</strong>: The geographic distribution records and the inferred 91 origins of socially parasitic life histories show that both species richness and the number of species representing independent evolutionary origins of social parasitism peak in the northern hemisphere outside of the equatorial tropics. Based on rarefaction curves, northern latitude regions harbour the most ant social parasite species, but the diversity of independent evolutionary origins is not significantly different between northern and southern hemispheres. The proportion of ant social parasite species within regional faunae is correlated with latitude only in the northern hemisphere.</p> <p><strong>Main conclusions</strong>: The inverse latitudinal diversity gradient of ant social parasites contrasts with the biogeographic pattern observed in free-living, non-parasitic ant species and appears to be driven by large species radiations as well as by the presence of specialized life histories exclusive to the northern hemisphere.</p>
Data from: DNA methylation reflects tissue and caste identity but not parasitism-induced changes in a social insect
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Data from: Parasite prevalence in a social host has colony-wide impacts on transcriptional activity and survival
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Social trematodes parasites increase standing army size in areas of greater invasion threat
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Data and code from: Climate and parasite pressure jointly shape traits mediating the coevolution between an ant social parasite and its host
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Biogeography and evolution of social parasitism in Australian Myrmecia bulldog ants revealed by phylogenomics
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Social network structure is robust to parasite induced changes in contact behavior of domestic sheep
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Data from: Parasites alter interaction patterns in fish social networks
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Global biogeography of ant social parasites: Exploring patterns and mechanisms of an inverse latitudinal diversity gradient
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Data from: The socially parasitic ant Polyergus mexicanus has host-associated genetic population structure and related neighboring nests
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Collective decision-making when quantity is more important than quality: Lessons from a kidnapping social parasite
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Data from: Parasite infections in a social carnivore: evidence of their fitness consequences and factors modulating infection load
There are substantial individual differences in parasite composition and infection load in wildlife populations. Few studies have investigated the factors shaping this heterogeneity in large wild mammals or the impact of parasite infections on Darwinian fitness, particularly in juveniles. A host's parasite composition and infection load can be shaped by factors that determine contact with infective parasite stages and those that determine the host's resistance to infection, such as abiotic and social environmental factors, and age. Host-parasite interactions and synergies between co-infecting parasites may also be important. We test predictions derived from these different processes to investigate factors shaping infection loads (faecal egg/oocyte load) of two energetically costly gastrointestinal parasites: the hookworm Ancylostoma and the intracellular Cystoisospora, in juvenile spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) in the Serengeti National Park, in Tanzania. We also assess whether parasite infections curtail survival to adulthood and longevity. Ancylostoma and Cystoisospora infection loads declined as the number of adult clan members increased, a result consistent with an encounter-reduction effect whereby adults reduced encounters between juveniles and infective larvae, but were not affected by the number of juveniles in a clan. Infection loads decreased with age, possibly because active immune responses to infection improved with age. Differences in parasite load between clans possibly indicate variation in abiotic environmental factors between clan den sites. The survival of juveniles (< 365 days old) to adulthood decreased with Ancylostoma load, increased with age and was modulated by maternal social status. High-ranking individuals with low Ancylostoma loads had a higher survivorship during the first four years of life than high-ranking individuals with high Ancylostoma loads. These findings suggest that high infection loads with energetically costly parasites such as hookworms during early life can have negative fitness consequences.
Data from: Parasite-induced plasticity in host social behaviour depends on sex and susceptibility
Understanding the effects of parasites on host behaviour, of host behaviour on parasite infection, and the reciprocal interactions between these processes is vital to improving our understanding of animal behaviour and disease dynamics. However, behaviour and parasite infection are both highly variable within and between individual hosts, and how this variation affects behaviour-parasite feedbacks is poorly understood. For example, it is unclear how an individual's behaviour before infection might change once it becomes infected, or as the infection progresses, and how these changes depend on the host's parasite susceptibility. Here, using the guppy, Poecilia reticulata, and a directly-transmitted ectoparasite, Gyrodactylus turnbulli, I show that parasite-induced behavioural plasticity depends on host sex and susceptibility. Among females, time spent shoaling ('sociality'), a behaviour that increases parasite transmission, did not depend on infection status (infected/not) or susceptibility. By contrast, male sociality in the absence of infection was negatively correlated with susceptibility, suggesting the most susceptible males use behaviour to avoid infection. However, in late infection when parasite transmission is most likely, male sociality and susceptibility became positively correlated, suggesting susceptible males modify their behaviour upon infection potentially to increase transmission and mating opportunities. I discuss the implications of these patterns for disease dynamics.
Data from: Bacterial communities within Phengaris (Maculinea) alcon caterpillars are shifted following transition from solitary living to social parasitism of Myrmica ant colonies
Bacterial symbionts are known to facilitate a wide range of physiological processes and ecological interactions for their hosts. In spite of this, caterpillars with highly diverse life histories appear to lack resident microbiota. Gut physiology, endogenous digestive enzymes, and limited social interactions may contribute to this pattern, but the consequences of shifts in social activity and diet on caterpillar microbiota are largely unknown. Phengaris alcon caterpillars undergo particularly dramatic social and dietary shifts when they parasitize Myrmica ant colonies, rapidly transitioning from solitary herbivory to ant tending (i.e., receiving protein‐rich regurgitations through trophallaxis). This unique life history provides a model for studying interactions between social living, diet, and caterpillar microbiota. Here, we characterized and compared bacterial communities within P. alcon caterpillars before and after their association with ants, using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and quantitative PCR. After being adopted by ants, bacterial communities within P. alcon caterpillars shifted substantially, with a significant increase in alpha diversity and greater consistency in bacterial community composition in terms of beta dissimilarity. We also characterized the bacterial communities within their host ants (Myrmica schencki), food plant (Gentiana cruciata), and soil from ant nest chambers. These data indicated that the aforementioned patterns were influenced by bacteria derived from caterpillars' surrounding environments, rather than through transfers from ants. Thus, while bacterial communities are substantially reorganized over the life cycle of P. alcon caterpillars, it appears that they do not rely on transfers of bacteria from host ants to complete their development.
Data from: Collective defence portfolios of ant hosts shift with social parasite pressure
Host defences become increasingly costly as parasites breach successive lines of defence. Because selection favours hosts that successfully resist parasitism at the lowest possible cost, escalating coevolutionary arms races are likely to drive host defence portfolios towards ever more expensive strategies. We investigated the interplay between host defence portfolios and social parasite pressure by comparing 17 populations of two Temnothorax ant species. When successful, collective aggression not only prevents parasitation but also spares host colonies the cost of searching for and moving to a new nest site. However, once parasites breach the host's nest defence, host colonies should resort to flight as the more beneficial resistance strategy. We show that under low parasite pressure, host colonies more likely responded to an intruding Protomognathus americanus slavemaker with collective aggression, which prevented the slavemaker from escaping and potentially recruiting nest-mates. However, as parasite pressure increased, ant colonies of both host species became more likely to flee rather than to fight. We conclude that host defence portfolios shift consistently with social parasite pressure, which is in accordance with the degeneration of frontline defences and the evolution of subsequent anti-parasite strategies often invoked in hosts of brood parasites.
Data from: Nest signature changes throughout colony cycle and after social parasite invasion in social wasps
Social insects recognize their nestmates by means of a cuticular hydrocarbon signature shared by colony members, but how nest signature changes across time has been rarely tested in longitudinal studies and in the field. In social wasps, the chemical signature is also deposited on the nest surface, where it is used by newly emerged wasps as a reference to learn their colony odor. Here, we investigate the temporal variations of the chemical signature that wasps have deposited on their nests. We followed the fate of the colonies of the social paper wasp Polistes biglumis in their natural environment from colony foundation to decline. Because some colonies were invaded by the social parasite Polistes atrimandibularis, we also tested the effects of social parasites on the nest signature. We observed that, as the season progresses, the nest signature changed; the overall abundance of hydrocarbons as well as the proportion of longer-chain and branched hydrocarbons increased. Where present, social parasites altered the host-nest signature qualitatively (adding parasite-specific alkenes) and quantitatively (by interfering with the increase in overall hydrocarbon abundance). Our results show that 1) colony odor is highly dynamic both in colonies controlled by legitimate foundresses and in those controlled by social parasites; 2) emerged offspring contribute little to colony signature, if at all, in comparison to foundresses; and 3) social parasites, that later mimic host signature, initially mark host nests with species-specific hydrocarbons. This study implies that important updating of the neural template used in nestmate recognition should occur in social insects.
Data from: The geographic structure of selection on a coevolving interaction between social parasitic wasps and their hosts hampers social evolution
Social parasites exploit societies, rather than organisms, and rear their brood in social insect colonies at the expense of their hosts, triggering a coevolutionary process that may affect host social structure. The resulting coevolutionary trajectories may be further altered by selection imposed by predators, which exploit the abundant resources concentrated in these nests. Here, we show that geographic differences in selection imposed by predators affects the structure of selection on coevolving hosts and their social parasites. In a multi-year study, we monitored the fate of the annual breeding attempts of the solitary-founding females of Polistes biglumis social wasps in four geographically distinct populations that varied in levels of attack by the congeneric social parasite, P. atrimandibularis. Foundress fitness depended mostly on whether, during the long founding phase, a colony was invaded by social parasites or attacked by predators. Foundresses from each population differed in morphological traits and reproductive tactics that were consistent with selection imposed by their natural enemies and in ways that may affect host sociality. In turn, parasite traits were consistent with selection imposed locally by hosts, implying a geographic mosaic of coevolution in this brood parasitic interaction.
FIGURE 7 in The socially parasitic ant genus Strongylognathus Mayr in North Africa (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
FIGURE 7. Distribution of Strongylognathus afer Emery in northern Tunisia and northeastern Algeria. Squares: literature data; circles: new records. The location of Dir el Kef could not be ascertained, presumably this denomination refers to a mountainous site near Le Kef.
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