Choice of optimal oviposition sites by Hoplobatrachus occipitalis (Anura: Ranidae) in an unpredictable and patchy environment

Oecologia ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Spieler ◽  
K. E. Linsenmair
2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaspar Bruner ◽  
Hermógenes Fernández-Marín ◽  
Justin C. Touchon ◽  
William T. Wcislo

Parental care is rare in most lower vertebrates. By selecting optimal oviposition sites, however, mothers can realize some benefits often associated with parental care. We found three ovoid reptilian eggs within a mature nest of a relatively basal fungus-growing ant,Apterostigmacf.goniodes(Attini), in central Panama. In laboratory colonies,A.cf.goniodesworkers attended and cared for the eggs. Two blind snakes,Liotyphlops albirostris(Anomalepididae), successfully hatched, which is the first rearing record for this species. The ants did not disturb the snakes, and the snakes did not eat the ants; we found no ants in the dissected stomachs of the snakes. We review other associations between nesting fungus-growing ants and egg-laying vertebrates, which together suggest that attine nests may provide a safe, environmentally buffered location for oviposition, even in basal attine taxa with relatively small colony sizes.


Behaviour ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 157 (7) ◽  
pp. 683-697
Author(s):  
Manami Kawaguchi ◽  
Takashi Kuriwada

Abstract When suitability of sites for parent is incompatible with that for their eggs, parent–offspring conflict occurs — the parent must choose between the optimal oviposition site for eggs and that suitable for itself. We examined effects of predator cue on parental habitat use and oviposition site in Physa acuta. We assessed desiccation risk in eggs and the relationship between water depth and predation risk. Predator cues induced the elevation of parental habitat away from the bottom but had no effect on the oviposition site. Oviposition site choice is not by-product of escape response. Eggs that were exposed to desiccation failed to hatch, indicating high desiccation risk. Eggs laid at deeper levels were at higher risk of stripping from oviposition substrates by crayfishes. Although the middle-water level would be suitable oviposition sites, the parents selected an oviposition site in the upper level. There are other benefits and costs of oviposition site selection.


Ecography ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary E. Clark ◽  
Thomas G. Wolcott ◽  
Donna L. Wolcott ◽  
Anson H. Hines

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 231
Author(s):  
Milos Sevarika ◽  
Marco Valerio Rossi Stacconi ◽  
Roberto Romani

Dryocosmus kuriphilus is a gall-inducing insect, which can cause significant damage on plants of the genus Castanea Mill., 1754. Antennae and ovipositor are the main sensory organs involved in the location of suitable oviposition sites. Antennal sensilla are involved in the host plant location, while ovipositor sensilla assess the suitability of the ovipositional bud. On both organs, diverse sensillar organs are present. Here, the distribution and ultrastructural organization of the sensilla were investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The antennae of D. kuriphilus are filiform and composed of 14 antennomeres, with the distal flagellomere bearing the highest number of sensilla. On the antennae, 6 sensilla types were found; sensilla chaetica, campaniformia, coeloconica-I, coeloconica-II, trichoidea and placoidea. The sensilla placoidea and trichoidea were the most abundant types. On the external walls of the ovipositor, gustatory and mechanoreceptive sensilla were observed. Internally, the egg channel hosted two additional sensory structures. The putative functional role of each sensilla in the context of insect’s ecology is discussed as well as the ovipositional mechanism used by this insect.


Ecology ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 493-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilkka Hanski
Keyword(s):  

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ganyu Zhang ◽  
Wenjuan Guo ◽  
Xiaoyi Wang ◽  
Qian Wang ◽  
Jin Cui ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Elongated rostra play an important role in the egg-laying of weevils, and its emergence plays a key role in the adaptive radiation of weevils. Eucryptorrhynchus scrobiculatus Motschulsky and E. brandti Harold co-occur on the same only host Ailanthus altissima, while their oviposition sites are different. In order to understand the adaptation between the rostra of the two weevils and their oviposition sites, the structural differentiation of the rostra in E. scrobiculatus and E. brandti was compared. Results The present study reveals that: (1) The rostra length of E. scrobiculatus and E. brandti was found to be correlated with body size, larger weevils have a correspondingly longer rostrum. The increase of rostra length may be a byproduct of larger weevils. (2) There were significant differences in the external shape of the two rostra, especially the shape of the mandibles of the mouthparts at the apex of the rostra used to excavate an oviposition cavity. (3) There was no difference in the size of the abductor muscles that control the extension of the mandibles, but there were significant differences in the size of the adductor muscles that control the contraction of the mandibles. Conclusions These structural differences reflect the functional potential ovipositional tactics of rostra, which is considered to be a response to the ecological demands of egg deposition, and also provide new insights into the coexistence of two weevil species in the same host A. altissima.


1999 ◽  
Vol 160 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Stephen Cantrell ◽  
Chris Cosner

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