Novel Worker-Like Behavior Observed in Gynes of the Social Parasite <i>Tetramorium microgyna</i>. [PDF]
Ecol EvolOur article reports, to our knowledge, the first observations of inquiline gynes performing worker tasks for their host colony. We dissected these gynes to establish that they were all unmated. We hypothesize that nest excavation by social parasites represents an artifact of a non‐parasitic past.
Brassard F, Kwapich C.
europepmc +2 more sources
Landscape configuration and soil properties shape ant-mediated seed dispersal in tropical dry forest agricultural landscapes. [PDF]
J Anim EcolWe show that ant‐mediated seed dispersal components respond differently to local soil conditions and landscape structure in Caatinga agricultural mosaics. Low‐intensity rainfed croplands maintained or enhanced seed removal compared to natural remnants, highlighting how small‐scale agriculture can sustain key ecological processes in human‐modified dry ...
Silva JM +5 more
europepmc +2 more sources
Recognition and Aggression of conspecific and heterospecific worker in Acromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus (Forel) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) [PDF]
Sociobiology, 2015 Aggressive behavior is important for social insects because it makes possible for the colony to defend itself and the offspring from the action of invasive species.
Tiago Georg Pikart +4 more
doaj +2 more sources
Spiroplasma Display an Intricate Continuum of Infection Heterogeneity and Persistence in Myrmica Ants. [PDF]
Mol EcolABSTRACT Many bacterial taxa evolved facultative symbiotic associations with insects and spread through host populations by horizontal and maternal transmission. Co‐infection at the individual host level may facilitate or constrain the spread of facultative symbionts.
Castillo Franco D +6 more
europepmc +2 more sources
Daily Foraging Activity of Acromyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Leaf-cutting ants [PDF]
Sociobiology, 2016 Leaf-cutting ants are well-known insects due to their remarkable activity as herbivores and the considerable economic damage they cause to many crops.
Mariane Aparecida Nickele +3 more
doaj +5 more sources
Leafcutter Ant Farmers Prevent Loss of Edible Symbiotic Structures by Maintaining Allelic Diversity in Their Multinucleate Fungal Crop. [PDF]
Mol EcolABSTRACT Leafcutter ants farm the domesticated fungal cultivar Leucoagaricus gongylophorus in subterranean nests containing up to hundreds of discrete garden chambers. The fungal cultivar produces edible symbiotic structures called gongylidia (nutritious swollen hyphal cells consumed by the ants) and expresses a form of polyploidy (multiple ...
Rødsgaard-Jørgensen A +3 more
europepmc +2 more sources
OCORRÊNCIA DE FORMIGAS CORTADEIRAS NA REGIÃO DA DEPRESSÃO CENTRAL DO ESTADO DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL [PDF]
Ciência Rural, 2002 Com o objetivo de identificar as espécies de formigas cortadeiras que existem na região da Depressão Central do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, de verificar sua predominância e distribuição geográfica, realizou-se um levantamento em 51 municípios.
Douglas D. Grürzmacher +2 more
doaj +1 more source
The effect of homeopathic preparations on the activity level of Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants=Atividade de formigas cortadeiras Acromyrmex spp. submetidas a preparações homeopáticas [PDF]
Acta Scientiarum. Agronomy, 2012 The effect of homeopathic preparations on the activities of the leaf-cutting ants Acromyrmex spp. was studied. A field experiment involving ant nests in six experimental areas was performed using a randomised complete block design.
Pedro Boff +2 more
doaj +1 more source
A single Streptomyces symbiont makes multiple antifungals to support the fungus farming ant Acromyrmex octospinosus [PDF]
, 2013 Attine ants are dependent on a cultivated fungus for food and use antibiotics produced by symbiotic Actinobacteria as weedkillers in their fungus gardens. Actinobacterial species belonging to the genera Pseudonocardia, Streptomyces and Amycolatopsis have
Brearley, Charles +6 more
core +2 more sources
mBio, 2021 Many fungus-growing ants engage in a defensive symbiosis with antibiotic-producing ectosymbiotic bacteria in the genus Pseudonocardia, which help protect the ants’ fungal mutualist from a specialized mycoparasite, Escovopsis.
Gaspar Bruner-Montero +5 more
doaj +1 more source