Moisture enhances the positive effect of leaf-cutting ant refuse dumps on soil biota activity

2013 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anahí Fernandez ◽  
Alejandro G. Farji-Brener ◽  
Patricia Satti
Keyword(s):  
Soil Biota ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Refuse Dumps ◽  
Positive Effect

scholarly journals Abiotic and Biotic Factors Influencing the Effect of Microplastic on Soil Aggregation

Soil Systems ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anika Lehmann ◽  
Katharina Fitschen ◽  
Matthias Rillig
Keyword(s):  
Soil Structure ◽  
Soil Aggregates ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Soil Aggregation ◽  
Soil Biota ◽  
Aggregate Formation ◽  
Sterile Soil ◽  
Soil Aggregate Stability ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors ◽  
Positive Effect

Plastic is an anthropogenic, ubiquitous and persistent contaminant accumulating in our environment. The consequences of the presence of plastics for soils, including soil biota and the processes they drive, are largely unknown. This is particularly true for microplastic. There is only little data available on the effect of microplastics on key soil processes, including soil aggregation. Here, we investigated the consequences of polyester microfiber contamination on soil aggregation of a sandy soil under laboratory conditions. We aimed to test if the microfiber effects on soil aggregation were predominantly physical or biological. We found that soil biota addition (compared to sterile soil) had a significant positive effect on both the formation and stabilization of soil aggregates, as expected, while wet-dry cycles solely affected aggregate formation. Polyester microfiber contamination did not affect the formation and stability of aggregates. But in the presence of soil biota, microfibers reduced soil aggregate stability. Our results show that polyester microfibers have the potential to alter soil structure, and that these effects are at least partially mediated by soil biota.

scholarly journals Refuse attracts? Effect of refuse dumps of leaf-cutting ants on floral traits

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anahí Fernandez ◽  
Mariana Tadey ◽  
Alejandro G. Farji-Brener
Keyword(s):  
Floral Traits ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Refuse Dumps

Experimental studies on the life-cycle ofRaillietiella gigliolii(Pentastomida: Cephalobaenida) in the South American worm-lizardAmphisbaena alba: a unique interaction involving two insects

Parasitology ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 471-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith M. Winch ◽  
J. Riley
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
South American ◽  
Atta Cephalotes ◽  
The South ◽  
Rhinoceros Beetle ◽  
Trophic Links ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Refuse Dumps

SUMMARYRaillietiella giglioliiis a cephalobaenid pentastomid which inhabits the lungs of the South American worm-lizardAmphisbaena alba. The host is a facultative inquiline of nests of the leaf-cutting antAtta cephaloteswhere it feeds occasionally (and possibly by accident) on ants but more often on beetles and their larvae which are themselves inquilines of ant nests. Ants store exhausted leaf-substrate in special underground chambers which serve as refuse dumps and it is here that larvae of the three-horned rhinoceros beetleCoetosis bilobafeed: these larvae are also known to be prey items ofA. alba. From observations of captive colonies ofAtta, we have demonstrated that pentastomid-egg contaminated faeces ofA. alba, introduced into the colony, are rapidly cut up and thrown onto the refuse dump, where, under natural circumstances they will be eaten byCoelosis. These larvae have an unusual and highly specialized gut physiology and parasite eggs will develop to an infective stage within the haemocoel in 70–96 days. Cockroaches are refractory to infection. Ants are the vital link in transmission since they literally deliver eggs to theCoelosislarvae. The strong trophic links which exist between the various components of the life-cycle offset a low fecundity of 100 eggs/female parasite/day but nonetheless maintain a high prevalence (86%) of infection.

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