The Developmental Basis of Worker Caste Polymorphism in Ants

1991 ◽  
Vol 138 (5) ◽  
pp. 1218-1238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana E. Wheeler
Keyword(s):  
Caste Polymorphism ◽  
Worker Caste

scholarly journals Worker caste polymorphism has a genetic basis in Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants

2003 ◽  
Vol 100 (16) ◽  
pp. 9394-9397 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. O. H. Hughes ◽  
S. Sumner ◽  
S. Van Borm ◽  
J. J. Boomsma
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Caste Polymorphism ◽  
Worker Caste

Insecticidal Activities of the Leaf Extract of the Invasive Alien Plant, Chromolaena odorata (L.) (Asteraceae) Against Macrotermes species (Termites)

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-153
Author(s):  
O. Uyi, ◽  
I.G. Amolo ◽  
A.D. Adetimehin
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Extract ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Chromolaena Odorata ◽  
Leaf Extracts ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Biological Efficacy ◽  
Invasive Alien Plant ◽  
Impregnation Technique ◽  
Aqueous Leaf Extract ◽  
Worker Caste

Several studies have demonstrated the biological efficacy of leaf, stem and root powders or extracts of Chromolaena odorata (L.) King and Robinson against insect pests but those that are focused on the biological efficacy of aqueous leaf extracts against Macrotermes species are scanty. Current management of termites with synthetic insecticides is being discouraged due to human and environmental hazards. Therefore, the insecticidal effectiveness of aqueous leaf extract C. odorata against Macrotermes species was investigated. Five concentrations (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0% (w/v)) of the aqueous extract of C. odorata plant were evaluated for repellency and toxicity on the worker caste of Macrotermes species following standard procedures. The filter paper impregnation technique was used for the bioassay. Percentage repellency was monitored for 30 minutes and mortality recorded at 12, 24 and 36 hours post exposure. The leaf extract of C. odorata significantly repelled 95% of Macrotermes species at the highest concentration of 10% (w/v) after 30 minutes post treatment exposure. Mortality of Macrotermes species was independent of treatment concentration, but dependent on duration of exposure. All treatment concentrations of aqueous leaf extract of C. odorata caused significant mortality against Macrotermes species ranging between 94% and 98% compared to the control; indicating very great potential for adoption and use in the management of Macrotermes species.

scholarly journals Impact of “non-lethal” tarsal clipping on bumble bees (Bombus vosnesenskii) may depend on queen stage and worker size

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Mola ◽  
Clara Stuligross ◽  
Maureen L. Page ◽  
Danielle Rutkowski ◽  
Neal M. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Material ◽  
Population Monitoring ◽  
First Year ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Worker Size ◽  
Monitoring Tools ◽  
Individual Survival ◽  
Body Sizes ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Worker Caste

Abstract Recent bumble bee declines have prompted the development of novel population monitoring tools, including the use of putatively non-lethal tarsal clipping to obtain genetic material. However, the potential side effects of tarsal clipping have only been tested in the worker caste of a single domesticated species, prompting the need to more broadly test whether tarsal clipping negatively affects sampled individuals. To determine if tarsal clipping reduces queen survivorship and colony establishment, we collected wild queens of Bombus vosnesenskii and clipped tarsi from a single leg of half the individuals. We reared captive queens and estimated survivorship and nest establishment success. We also clipped tarsi of workers from a subset of colonies across a range of body sizes. We found no consistent negative effect of clipping on queen survival. In the first year, clipped nest-searching queens suffered heavy mortality, but there was no effect on foraging queens. The following year, we found no effect of clipping on queen survival or establishment. Clipping did not reduce overall worker survival but reduced survivorship for those in the smallest size quartile. Implications for insect conservation Our findings suggest tarsal clipping does not have consistent negative effects on individual survival. However, our results varied with queen behavioral state, year, and worker size, suggesting differences within and among species and interactions with landscape stressors warrant further study. In the interim, we recommend researchers and conservationists minimize the use of tarsal clipping for sensitive species, populations, or small workers except in cases of exceptional scientific need.

scholarly journals Phylogeny of the ant genus Aphaenogaster (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Iberian Peninsula, with the description of a new species

Sociobiology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiko Gómez ◽  
David Martinez ◽  
Xavier Espadaler
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Phylogenetic Tree ◽  
Iberian Peninsula ◽  
Worker Caste ◽  
A New Species

A phylogenetic tree of the Iberian Aphaenogaster species - except for A. splendida (Roger) - and a key to the worker caste of all Iberian Aphaenogaster species are proposed. The position of A. striativentris Forel and A. cardenai Espadaler is discussed, stating the possibility that this second species may belong to a new, undescribed genus. Aphaenogaster ulibeli n. sp. is described from the Iberian Peninsula. Its closest relatives are A. gibbosa (Latreille) and A. striativentris. Its habitat seems to be restricted to caducifolia forests in the Western Central Massif. 

scholarly journals Honeybee (Apis mellifera) Maternal Effect Causes Alternation of DNA Methylation Regulating Queen Development

Sociobiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 5935
Author(s):  
Xu Jiang He ◽  
Hao Wei ◽  
Wu Jun Jiang ◽  
Yi Bo Liu ◽  
Xiao Bo Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Maternal Effect ◽  
Caste Differentiation ◽  
Hippo Signaling ◽  
Thorax Length ◽  
Queen Cell ◽  
Epigenetic Analysis ◽  
Worker Caste

Queen-worker caste dimorphism is a typical trait for honeybees (Apis mellifera). We previously showed a maternal effect on caste differentiation and queen development, where queens emerged from queen-cell eggs (QE) had higher quality than queens developed from worker cell eggs (WE). In this study, newly-emerged queens were reared from QE, WE, and 2-day worker larvae (2L). The thorax size and DNA methylation levels of queens were measured. We found that queens emerging from QE had significantly larger thorax length and width than WE and 2L. Epigenetic analysis showed that QE/2L comparison had the most different methylated genes (DMGs, 612) followed by WE/2L (473), and QE/WE (371). Interestingly, a great number of DMGs (42) were in genes belonging to mTOR, MAPK, Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog, FoxO, and Hippo signaling pathways that are involved in regulating caste differentiation, reproduction and longevity. This study proved that honeybee maternal effect causes epigenetic alteration regulating caste differentiation and queen development.

scholarly journals Three new species of Leptanilloides Mann from Andean Ecuador (Formicidae: Leptanilloidinae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 1201 (1) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAVID A. DONOSO ◽  
JUAN M. VIEIRA ◽  
ALEXANDER L. WILD
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Generic Diagnosis ◽  
Army Ant ◽  
First Case ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
Worker Caste

We report three new species of the ant genus Leptanilloides from Andean Ecuador. Leptanilloides nomada sp. n. and L. caracola sp. n. are described from the worker caste, the latter from a unique specimen; L. nubecula sp. n. is described from workers, males, and two gyne subcastes previously unknown for the entire subfamily. Phenotypic variation in morphological characters in the new species L. nomada and L. nubecula is more plastic than suggested by the traditional generic diagnosis. These records represent the first case of three Leptanilloides species occurring in sympatry. We discuss aspects of the army ant syndrome and its relevance to the genus Leptanilloides.Tres nuevas especies del género de hormigas Leptanilloides son descritas a partir de especimenes encontrados en Los Andes ecuatorianos. Leptanilloides nomada sp. n. y L. caracola sp. n. son descritas en base a obreras, ésta última es descrita a partir de un sólo espécimen. L. nubecula sp. n. es descrita en base a obreras, machos y dos subcastas de ginas previamente desconocidas para toda la subfamilia. La variación fenotípica encontrada en algunos caracteres morfológicos de las nuevas especies L. nomada y L. nubecula es más plástica de lo que sugiere la diagnosis genérica tradicional. Estos registros constituyen el primer ejemplo de tres especies de Leptanilloides viviendo en simpatría. Discutimos aspectos del síndrome de las hormigas legionarias y su aplicación al género Leptanilloides.

Taxonomic revision of the genus Prionopelta Mayr, 1866 (Formicidae: Amblyoponinae) for the Neotropical region

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4821 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-249
Author(s):  
NATALIA LADINO ◽  
RODRIGO M. FEITOSA
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Neotropical Region ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
Geographical Data ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Identification Keys ◽  
Worker Caste ◽  
First Time

The ant genus Prionopelta Mayr, 1866 is revised for the Neotropics. Morphological traits combined with geographical data led to the recognition of eight species, four of them described here as new: Prionopelta dubia sp. n., Prionopelta menininha sp. n., Prionopelta minuta sp. n., and Prionopelta tapatia sp. n. Prionopelta marthae Forel, 1909 is proposed as a new junior synonym of Prionopelta antillana Forel, 1909. External morphological descriptions of the worker caste for all species are provided, as well as for some of the males and queens, mostly described here for the first time. Identification keys for all known castes, distribution maps and high-resolution illustrations are supplied for all species.

The ant genus Stenamma Westwood (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) redefined, with a description of a new genus Propodilobus

Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2221 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAEL G. BRANSTETTER
Keyword(s):  
New Genus ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
New Diagnosis ◽  
Worker Caste

The myrmicine ant genus Stenamma Westwood is redefined and a new diagnosis of the worker caste is presented. Justified by both morphology and molecular data, two species are removed from Stenamma and transferred to the genus Lordomyrma Emery: L. bhutanensis (Baroni Urbani) comb. n. and L. sinensis (Ma, Xu, Makio & DuBois) comb. n. Based on compelling differences in morphology, a third species originally described in Stenamma is transferred to the genus Propodilobus gen. n.: P. pingorum (DuBois) comb. n. Molecular results also indicate that Stenamma, as newly defined here, is a monophyletic genus that forms a clade with Aphaenogaster Mayr and Messor Forel. Additional notes on the diversity and distributions of Stenamma, Lordomyrma, and Propodilobus are provided.

scholarly journals Monograph of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the World, Part I: Nylanderia in the Afrotropics

Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 3110 (1) ◽  
pp. 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHN S. LAPOLLA ◽  
PETER G. HAWKES ◽  
BRIAN L. FISHER
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
The World ◽  
Worker Caste ◽  
First Time

The taxonomy of the Afrotropical Nylanderia fauna is revised for the first time. Fourteen native species are revealed, of which eight are described as new: N. boltoni LaPolla and Fisher, N. brevisetula LaPolla and Fisher, N. impolita LaPolla and Fisher, N. luteafra LaPolla and Fisher, N. scintilla LaPolla and Fisher, N. silvula LaPolla and Fisher, N. umbella LaPolla and Fisher, and N. usambarica LaPolla, Hawkes and Fisher. Two species, N. jaegerskioeldi and N. natalensis, have workers that are indistinguishable from each other, and males are the only reliable way to separate these two species. Three non-native Nylanderia species are thought to have been introduced to Africa: N. bourbonica, N. vaga, and N. vividula. An identification key to the worker caste is provided.

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