Chemosensory species recognition may reduce the frequency of hybridization between native and introduced lizards

2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Gabirot ◽  
A. M. Castilla ◽  
P. López ◽  
J. Martín
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Species Recognition ◽  
Small Populations ◽  
Reproductive Decisions ◽  
Chemical Recognition ◽  
Island Endemics ◽  
Podarcis Hispanica ◽  
Interspecific Recognition ◽  
The Common ◽  
Tongue Flicks

The introduction of alien species to islands by human activity can cause catastrophic consequences for small populations of island endemics. Hybridization between the endangered and endemic insular lizard Podarcis atrata (Boscá, 1916) from the Columbretes Islands (Mediterranean, Spain) and the common mainland lizard Podarcis hispanica (Steindachner, 1870) could potentially occur because mainland haplotypes have already been detected in the islands, the two species are closely genetically related, and the frequency of visitors to these islands is increasing. However, reproductive decisions of lizards are often mediated by species recognition mechanisms based on chemical cues. On the basis of this observation, even if some mainland P. hispanica lizards were introduced to the islands, interspecific recognition might make rare an eventual hybridization with the insular P. atrata. We examined interspecific chemical recognition between the insular P. atrata and the mainland P. hispanica. Our results showed that lizards of both sexes responded more strongly (i.e., directed a significantly higher number of tongue flicks) to scents of conspecific individuals than to scents of heterospecifics. Chemical recognition of conspecifics by endemic island P. atrata lizards may reduce the occurrence of hybridization with introduced mainland P. hispanica lizards and protect the insular gene pool.

scholarly journals Interactions of ants with native and invasive lady beetles and the role of chemical cues in intraguild interference

Chemoecology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roman Bucher ◽  
Laura M. Japke ◽  
Ayse Gül Ünlü ◽  
Florian Menzel
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Harmonia Axyridis ◽  
Species Recognition ◽  
Lady Beetle ◽  
Lasius Niger ◽  
Beetle Species ◽  
Beetle Elytra ◽  
Lady Beetles ◽  
Ant Aggression

AbstractThe predator-predator naïveté hypothesis suggests that non-native predators benefit from being unknown to native predators, resulting in reduced intraguild interference with native predators. This novelty advantage should depend on the ability of native predators to recognize cues of non-native predators. Here, we compared ant aggression and lady beetle reaction in four native and the invasive lady beetle species Harmonia axyridis. In addition, we tested whether lady beetle cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are involved in species recognition, which might explain naïveté if the invasive species has a specific CHC profile. To this end, we conducted behavioral assays confronting two native ant species with both living lady beetles and lady beetle elytra bearing or lacking CHCs of different lady beetle species. Finally, we characterized CHC profiles of the lady beetles using GC–MS. In general, the aggression of Lasius niger was more frequent than that of Myrmica rubra and L. niger aggression was more frequent towards most native lady beetle species compared to H. axyridis. The removal of CHCs from lady beetle elytra reduced aggression of both ant species. If CHCs of respective lady beetle species were added on cue-free elytra, natural strength of L. niger aggression could be restored. CHC analyses revealed a distinct cue composition for each lady beetle species. Our experiments demonstrate that the presence of chemical cues on the surface of lady beetles contribute to the strength of ant aggression against lady beetles. Reduced aggression of L. niger towards H. axyridis and reduced avoidance behavior in H. axyridis compared to the equally voracious C. septempunctata might improve the invasive lady beetle’s access to ant-tended aphids.

The scent of the others: chemical recognition in two distinct populations of the European whip snake, Hierophis viridiflavus

2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Bresciani ◽  
Federica Dendi ◽  
Sara Fornasiero ◽  
Marco Zuffi ◽  
Elena Cecchinelli
Keyword(s):  
Communication Systems ◽  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Reproductive Season ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Chemical Recognition ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
Whip Snake

AbstractIsolated populations of a given species may diverge from conspecifics for a certain series of traits. It is of particular interest when this divergence involves the signals and the related responses used by sexually reproducing animals to identify prospective mating partners. Using behavioural trials during reproductive season, we studied pheromone-mediated response between insular and mainland European whip snakes, Hierophis viridiflavus. Our results revealed that both insular and mainland males can utilise both homotypic and heterotypic chemical cues. However, while insular snakes did not show any preference between the two types of chemical cues, mainland males preferred homotypic odours. These results, though preliminarly, show the existence of asymmetry in the displayed behavioural patterns and support the idea that isolated populations may evolve differences in communication systems.

Socially acquired information from chemical cues in the common lizard, Lacerta vivipara

2006 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 965-974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Aragón ◽  
Manuel Massot ◽  
Julien Gasparini ◽  
Jean Clobert
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Common Lizard ◽  
The Common ◽  
Lacerta Vivipara

Species Recognition by Chemical Cues in Neotropical Snakes

Copeia ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 (3) ◽  
pp. 472-477
Author(s):  
Marianne Gabirot ◽  
Pablo Picerno ◽  
Jorge Valencia ◽  
Pilar Lopez ◽  
José Martin
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Species Recognition

scholarly journals Nestmate recognition of early brood in ants

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur de Fouchier ◽  
Chloe Leroy ◽  
Abderrahman Khila ◽  
Patrizia d'Ettorre
Keyword(s):  
Brood Parasitism ◽  
Nestmate Recognition ◽  
Social Insect ◽  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Species Recognition ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Social Parasites ◽  
Chemical Basis ◽  
Chemical Signature ◽  
Colony Fitness

Brood is critically important in social insect colonies. It carries the colony fitness through delivering future reproductive adults as well as workers that will increase the colony's workforce. Adoption of non-nestmate brood can be a mean to increase colony's workforce but entails the risk of rearing unrelated sexuals or social parasites. For early brood (eggs and L1 larvae), this balance is less positive as young brood need a substantial amount of resource before becoming workers. Thus, it appears beneficial for ant workers to discriminate between nestmate and alien brood using the chemical cues displayed at the brood's surface. However, the chemical signature of ant early brood stages and its use by workers remains understudied. To fill this gap, we investigated the chemical basis of early brood nestmate and cross-species recognition in six Formicoid ants. We also tested the discrimination behaviour of workers in brood retrieval trials. We observed clear species-level cues and discrimination against heterospecific brood. We also found that eggs and most young larvae display a colony signature but that only some species discriminate against non-nestmate eggs and L1 larvae. Interestingly, these species appear to also be those belonging to genera subject to brood parasitism.

Thoughts on Geographic Variation in Behavior

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan A. Foster ◽  
John A. Endler
Keyword(s):  
Geographic Variation ◽  
Species Recognition ◽  
Behavioral Characteristics ◽  
Combined Effects ◽  
Common Condition ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Past Behavior ◽  
The Common ◽  
Selection Gene

In the past, behavior was assumed to be largely invariant within species, particularly those elements of behavior used as criteria of mate choice or in species recognition (see Magurran this volume, Verrell this volume). As is obvious from this volume, geographic variation could well be the common condition rather than the exception, and this applies to the full spectrum of behavioral phenotypes. Not only must students of behavior avoid typological thinking (Mayr 1963), but those wishing to infer similarity of behavior among populations must demonstrate the similarity just as surely as those interested in exploring population differentiation must demonstrate the differences. Behavior is as much a phenotype as is morphology; it is the expression of the combined effects of genotype and environment. Like other traits, behavior varies geographically because it is subject to geographically varying conditions and, hence, to natural selection, gene flow, and genetic drift. The chapters in this book provide examples of this variation, of the underlying genetic bases for the differences, and in many cases, the causes of the geographic variation. The study of geographic variation in behavior is in very early stages and lags well behind research on geographic variation in other kinds of traits (Endler 1977, 1986, 1995). Consequently, we cannot answer with assurance many of the questions we would like to be able to answer. However, we can take a first step using the insights offered by the research presented in this book. Before doing so, we briefly address some of the methodological issues that emerged over the course of the research because many are specific to the study of behavior or of geographic variation. We hope this will help others avoid problems encountered in these early studies. Many of the methodological issues discussed in the chapters in this book are related to the difficulty of working with behavioral characteristics that are extremely labile and responsive to environmental conditions. The remainder are issues related to the interpretation of data collected to assess patterns and causes of geographic variation. We will examine them in turn.

Is the reaction to chemical cues of predators affected by age or experience in fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra)?

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Ibáñez ◽  
Barbara A. Caspers ◽  
Pilar López ◽  
José Martín ◽  
E. Tobias Krause
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Predator Recognition ◽  
Test Arena ◽  
Potential Predator ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Chemical Recognition ◽  
Behavioural Reaction ◽  
Salamandra Salamandra ◽  
In Fire

Predation is one of the strongest forces driving natural selection. Predator success reduces future prey fitness to zero. Thus, recognition and avoidance of a potential predator is an essential fitness-relevant skill for prey. Being well equipped in the predator-prey arms race is highly adaptive. In this context we tested whether age and/or potential experience of fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) affected their behaviour towards the chemical signature of a potential predator. We evaluated the space use of salamanders in a test arena with a shelter containing chemical cues from a predator (i.e., a rat) and a clean shelter. Our results demonstrate that naïve subadult fire salamanders do show a significant behavioural reaction towards rat odour. However, they do not avoid the chemical cues of the potential predator, but instead have a significant preference for the shelter with rat faeces. In contrast to this, both the naïve adult and wild-caught adult fire salamanders showed neither a preference nor an avoidance of rat scent. These results could suggest a role of age in odour-based predator recognition in salamanders. Similarly, predator recognition through chemical cues could be more important early in life when the young fire salamanders are more vulnerable to predatory attacks and less important in other life stages when salamanders are less subjected to predation. In conclusion, future studies considering wild-caught subadults should disentangle the importance of previous experience for predator chemical recognition.

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