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108 results for “Fire ants”
Data from: A Comprehensive Account of the Breeding Systems of the Fire Ant Solenopsis invicta
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Data from: The fire ant social chromosome supergene variant Sb shows low diversity but high divergence from SB
Variation in social behavior is common yet little is known about the genetic architectures underpinning its evolution. A rare exception is in the fire ant Solenopsis invicta: Alternative variants of a supergene region determine whether a colony will have exactly one or up to dozens of queens. The two variants of this region are carried by a pair of "social chromosomes", SB and Sb, which resemble a pair of sex chromosomes. Recombination is suppressed between the two chromosomes in the supergene region. While the X-like SB can recombine with itself in SB/SB queens, recombination is effectively absent in the Y-like Sb because Sb/Sb queens die before reproducing. Here, we analyze whole genome sequences of eight haploid SB males and eight haploid Sb males. We find extensive SB-Sb di↵erentiation throughout the >19Mb long supergene region. We find no evidence of "evolutionary strata" with different levels of divergence comparable to those reported in several sex chromosomes. A high proportion of substitutions between the SB and Sb haplotypes are nonsynonymous, suggesting inefficacy of purifying selection in Sb sequences, similar to that for Y-linked sequences in XY systems. Finally, we show that the Sb haplotype of the supergene region has 635-fold less nucleotide diversity than the rest of the genome. We discuss how this reduction could be due to a recent selective sweep affecting Sb specifically or associated with a population bottleneck during the invasion of North America by the sampled population.
Data from: Ants, fire and bark traits affect how African savanna trees recover following damage
Bark damage resulting from elephant feeding is common in African savanna trees with subsequent interactions with fire, insects and other pathogens often resulting in tree mortality. Yet, surprisingly little is known about how savanna trees respond to bark damage. We addressed this by investigating how the inner bark of marula (Sclerocarya birrea), a widespread tree species favoured by elephants, recovers after bark damage. We used a long-term fire experiment in the Kruger National Park to measure bark recovery with and without fire. At 24 months post-damage, mean wound closure was 98, 92, and 72% respectively in annual and biennial burns and fire exclusion treatments. Fire exclusion resulted in higher rates of ant colonisation of bark wounds, and such ant colonisation resulted in significantly lower bark recovery. We also investigated how ten common savanna tree species respond to bark damage and tested for relationships between bark damage, bark recovery and bark traits while accounting for phylogeny. We found phylogenetic signal in bark dry matter content, bark N and bark P, but not in bark thickness. Bark recovery and damage was highest in species which had thick moist inner bark and low wood densities (Anacardiaceae), intermediate in species which had moderate inner bark thickness and wood densities (Fabaceae) and lowest in species which had thin inner bark and high wood densities (Combretaceae). Elephants prefer species with thick, moist inner bark, traits that also appear to result in faster recovery rates.
Data from: Propagule pressure and colony social organization are associated with the successful invasion and rapid range expansion of fire ants in China
We characterized patterns of genetic variation in populations of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta in China using mitochondrial DNA sequences and nuclear microsatellite loci to test predictions as to how propagule pressure and subsequent dispersal following establishment jointly shape the invasion success of this ant in this recently invaded area. Fire ants in Wuchuan (Guangdong province) are genetically differentiated from those found in other large infested areas of China. The immediate source of ants in Wuchuan appears to be somewhere near Texas, which ranks first among states in the southern USA infested states in the exportation of goods to China. Most colonies from spatially distant, outlying areas in China are genetically similar to one another and appear to share a common source (Wuchuan, Guangdong province), suggesting that long-distance jump dispersal has been a prevalent means of recent spread of fire ants in China. Furthermore, most colonies at outlier sites are of the polygyne social form (featuring multiple egg-laying queens per nest), reinforcing the important role of this social form in the successful invasion of new areas and subsequent range expansion following invasion. Several analyses consistently revealed characteristic signatures of genetic bottlenecks for S. invicta populations in China. The results of this study highlight the invasive potential of this pest ant, suggest that the magnitude of international trade may serve as a predictor of propagule pressure and indicate that rates and patterns of subsequent range expansion are partly determined by the interplay between species traits and the trade and transportation networks.
Data from: Decreased small mammal and on-host tick abundance in association with invasive red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta)
Invasive species may impact pathogen transmission by altering the distributions and interactions among native vertebrate reservoir hosts and arthropod vectors. Here, we examined the direct and indirect effects of the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) on the native tick, small mammal and pathogen community in southeast Texas. Using a replicated large-scale field manipulation study, we show that small mammals were more abundant on treatment plots where S. invicta populations were experimentally reduced. Our analysis of ticks on small mammal hosts demonstrated a threefold increase in the ticks caught per unit effort on treatment relative to control plots, and elevated tick loads (a 27-fold increase) on one common rodent species. We detected only one known human pathogen (Rickettsia parkeri), present in 1.4% of larvae and 6.7% of nymph on-host Amblyomma maculatum samples but with no significant difference between treatment and control plots. Given that host and vector population dynamics are key drivers of pathogen transmission, the reduced small mammal and tick abundance associated with S. invicta may alter pathogen transmission dynamics over broader spatial scales.
FIGURES 5–6 in Pseudacteon notocaudatus and Pseudacteon obtusitus (Diptera: Phoridae), two new species of fire ant parasitoids from South America
FIGURES 5–6. Oviscapes, dorsal-ventral view: (5) Pseudacteon obtusitus new species. Holotype. (6) Pseudacteon obtusus Borgmeier. Laboratory reared specimen, Brackenridge Field Laboratory, Austin, 068-01, source population Herradura, Argentina, via USDA-ARS. Scale bar 0.1 mm.
FIGURES 3–4 in Pseudacteon notocaudatus and Pseudacteon obtusitus (Diptera: Phoridae), two new species of fire ant parasitoids from South America
FIGURES 3–4. Oviscapes, dorsal-ventral view: (3) Pseudacteon disneyi Pesquero. Outline sketch based on illustration in Pesquero 2000. (4) Pseudacteon arcuatus Borgmeier. Outline sketch based on illustration in Plowes et al. 2009. Scale bar 0.1 mm.
FIGURES 1–2 in Pseudacteon notocaudatus and Pseudacteon obtusitus (Diptera: Phoridae), two new species of fire ant parasitoids from South America
FIGURES 1–2. Oviscapes, dorsal-ventral view: (1) Pseudacteon notocaudatus new species. Holotype. (2) Pseudacteon pradei Borgmeier. Specimen from Bom Jardim, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, O. Bailez, 18.viii.2012 (UTIC). For clarity of illustration the upper and lower processes are each shown in a perpendicular dorsal view, although in practice they lie in slightly different planes. Scale bar 0.1 mm.
FIGURES 1–7 in New species and records of Pseudacteon Coquillett, 1907 (Diptera, Phoridae), parasitoids of the fire ant Solenopsis geminata group (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
FIGURES 1–7. Pseudacteon pesqueroi new spec.. 1. Head with emphasis on antennae and forehead. 2. Wing. 3. Oviscape dorsal view (dashed long—stylet, dashed short—oviduct). 4. Palpus. 5. Tergite VI. 6. Sternite VI. 7. Oviscape side view (DP– dorsal plate, VP—ventral plate, O—oviduct, S—stylet). Scale bars equivalent to 0.1 mm.
FIGURES 8–14. Pseudacteon plowesi new spec. 8 in New species and records of Pseudacteon Coquillett, 1907 (Diptera, Phoridae), parasitoids of the fire ant Solenopsis geminata group (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
FIGURES 8–14. Pseudacteon plowesi new spec. 8. Head with emphasis on antennae and forehead. 9. Wing. 10. Ovipositor dorsal view (dashed long—stylet, dashed short—oviduct). 11. Palpus. 12. Tergite VI. 13. Sternite VI. 14. Ovipositor side view (DP dorsal plate, VP– ventral plate, dashed long—stylet); Scale bars equivalent to 0.1 mm.
Data from: Evolution of long centromeres in fire ants
Background: Centromeres are essential for accurate chromosome segregation, yet sequence conservation is low even among closely related species. Centromere drive predicts rapid turnover because some centromeric sequences may compete better than others during female meiosis. In addition to sequence composition, longer centromeres may have a transmission advantage. Results: We report the first observations of extremely long centromeres, covering on average 34 % of the chromosomes, in the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta. By comparison, cytological examination of Solenopsis geminata revealed typical small centromeric constrictions. Bioinformatics and molecular analyses identified CenSol, the major centromeric satellite DNA repeat. We found that CenSol sequences are very similar between the two species but the CenSol copy number in S. invicta is much greater than that in S. geminata. In addition, centromere expansion in S. invicta is not correlated with the duplication of CenH3. Comparative analyses revealed that several closely related fire ant species also possess long centromeres. Conclusions: Our results are consistent with a model of simple runaway centromere expansion due to centromere drive. We suggest expanded centromeres may be more prevalent in hymenopteran insects, which use haplodiploid sex determination, than previously considered.
FIGURES 18‑20 in New Nicoletiidae (Zygentoma: Insecta) from Brazil living in fire-ant (Hymenoptera: Insecta) nests
FIGURES 18‑20: Allotrichotriura saevissima gen. nov. sp. nov., female. 18. Posterior abdomen, ventral (ovipositor outlined). 19. Gonapophyses VIII, distal divisions. 20. Gonapophyses IX, distal divisions. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.
FIGURES 14‑17 in New Nicoletiidae (Zygentoma: Insecta) from Brazil living in fire-ant (Hymenoptera: Insecta) nests
FIGURES 14‑17: Allotrichotriura saevissima gen. nov. sp. nov., female. 14. Urosternites I-III. 15. Urosternite V. 16. Urosternite VI. 17. Urosternite VII and subgenital plate. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.
FIGURES 7‑13 in New Nicoletiidae (Zygentoma: Insecta) from Brazil living in fire-ant (Hymenoptera: Insecta) nests
FIGURES 7‑13: Allotrichotriura saevissima gen. nov. sp. nov., female. 7. Antero-lateral area of pronotum. 8. P I. 9. P III. 10. Praetarsus and empodium. 11. Urotergite III. 12. Urotergite IX. 13. Urotergite X. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.
FIGURES 1‑6 in New Nicoletiidae (Zygentoma: Insecta) from Brazil living in fire-ant (Hymenoptera: Insecta) nests
FIGURES 1‑6: Allotrichotriura saevissima gen. nov. sp. nov., female. 1. Head. 2. Mandible. 3. Maxilla. 4. Maxillary palp. 5. Id, detail of the distal article. 6. Labial palp. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.
Data from: Multiple large inversions and breakpoint rewiring of gene expression in the evolution of the fire ant social supergene
Supergenes consist of co-adapted loci that segregate together and are associated with adaptive traits. In the fire ant Solenopsis invicta, two 'social' supergene variants regulate differences in colony queen number and other traits. Suppressed recombination in this system is maintained, in part, by a >9 Mb inversion, but the supergene is larger. Has the supergene in S. invicta undergone multiple large inversions? The initial gene content of the inverted allele of a supergene would be the same as that of the wild-type allele. So, how did the inversion increase in frequency? To address these questions, we cloned one extreme breakpoint in the fire ant supergene. In doing so, we found a second large (>800 Kb) rearrangement. Furthermore, we determined the temporal order of the two big inversions based on the translocation pattern of a third small fragment. Because the S. invicta supergene lacks evolutionary strata, our finding of multiple inversions may support an introgression model of the supergene. Finally, we showed that one of the inversions swapped the promoter of a breakpoint-adjacent gene, which might have conferred a selective advantage relative to the non-inverted allele. Our findings provide a rare example of gene alterations arising directly from an inversion event.
Tube locations of the red imported fire ant (RIFA)
<p><span><i>Solenopsis invicta</i> Buren, also known as the red imported fire ant (RIFA), has had a large negative impact on human and livestock health. However, few studies have further investigated the influence of human land use, which is an important factor affecting the habitats of insects, on the expansion of RIFAs. In addition, there is a lack of knowledge of the empirical associations between RIFA diffusion and land use within countries. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to provide an approach to delineate the areas of RIFA infestations and explore how land-use influences the spatiotemporal diffusion of <i>S. invicta</i>. We used RIFA data from 2008 to 2015 from the RIFA surveillance system, which was conducted by the National RIFA Control Center in Taiwan. Two regions in Taiwan with different RIFA infestation levels were investigated. The ordinary kriging method was applied to show the spatial intensity of RIFAs and the extreme distance estimator method was applied to determine the critical dispersal distances which showed the distance of the highest probability of RIFAs in two consecutive years. In addition, network analyses were used to identify RIFA invasion routes between land-use types. Finally, bivariate <span>local indicators of spatial association</span> were used to capture the invasion process in time and space. The results showed paddy fields, main roads, and warehouses were identified as the top three land-use types of diffusion sources. On average, the critical RIFA dispersal distances were 600 and 650 m in two consecutive years in high- and low-infestation regions, respectively. Finally, RIFAs were likely to diffuse between main roads and warehouses in the low-infestation region. Therefore, it is suggested that RIFA control activities be implemented at least 600 m from the observed spot. Additionally, control activities should be conducted on the identified three land-use types of diffusion sources in the high-infestation region, and the roadsides between main roads and warehouses in the low-infestation region to prevent the accidental spread of RIFAs.</span></p>
Supplementary material 1 from: de Andrade ARM, Cardoso DC, Cristiano MP (2023) Assessing ploidy levels and karyotype structure of the fire ant Solenopsis saevissima Smith, 1855 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae). Comparative Cytogenetics 17: 59-73. https://doi.org/10.3897/compcytogen.17.100945
Results from the karyomorphometrical analyses of Solenopsis saevissima and Chromosome counts frequency by individual and colony of Solenopsis saevissima
Data from: Revisiting the pyrodiversity-biodiversity hypothesis: long-term fire regimes and the structure of ant communities in Neotropical savannas
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Data from: Multiple large inversions and breakpoint rewiring of gene expression in the evolution of the fire ant social supergene
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