Modifications of oxygen consumption in the ant Dolichoderus quadripunctatus exposed to very powerful gamma irradiation]

The oxygen consumption of irradiated workers ants of Dolichoderus quadripunctatus, shows a significant increase when ants received a hight dose (50 000 or 100 000 Rad) of gamma rays.     

The raiding success of Pheidole megacephala on other ants in both its native and introduced ranges

We studied the behaviour of the invasive African myrmicine ant, Pheidole megacephala, when confronted with colonies of other common ant species in Cameroon, a part of its native range, and in Mexico, where it has been introduced. P. megacephala raided the nests of the other ants in both cases. Eleven species out of 12 put up a rather strong resistance to raiding P. megacephala workers in Cameroon compared to only three species out of 11 in Mexico, where only colonies of Solenopsis geminata, Dorymyrmex pyramicus and Dolichoderus bispinosus resisted these raids. We conclude that P. megacephala's heightened ability to successfully raid colonies of competing ants may help explain its success and the decline of native ants in areas where it has been introduced.     

Azteca Ants as Antiherbivore Agents of Tococa formicaria (Melastomataceae) in Brazilian Cerrado

Several ant species have been found associated with domatia of plant species of the genus Tococa (Melastomataceae). In the present study we investigated the relationships between Tococa formicaria Mart. and ants in the Cerrado (savanna-like vegetation) from central Brazil. We addressed questions about the utilisation of domatia by different ant species and their efficiency in reducing herbivory. We found 8 ant species in the domatia, with Azteca sp. 1 being present in 47.2% of the sampled individuals. The other species found were: Azteca sp. 2, Camponotus sp., Dolichoderus gr. diversus, Dolichoderus lutosus, Leptothorax sp., Oligomyrmex sp. and Linepithema sp. The dominance of Azteca sp. 1 was significantly higher in the larger individuals, with about 85% of individuals in the highest size class being occupied by this species. We performed experiments of attack to live baits (termites) on T. formicaria leaves and on leaves of control species (any other neighbouring plant species of similar size). The recruitment rates were significantly higher on T. formicaria leaves. We also showed that herbivory was significantly lower in T. formicaria individuals occupied by Azteca sp. 1 than in individuals occupied by other ant species. The results of this study may be considered as evidence to support the assumption of a mutualistic relationship through defence against herbivory between Azteca ants and T. formicaria.     

Competition hierarchy and plant defense in a guild of ants on tropical Passiflora

In facultative ant–plant interactions, ants may compete with each other for food provided by extrafloral nectar (EFN) plants. We studied resource competition and plant defense in a guild of ants that use the same EFN resource provided by two species of Passiflora in a seasonal rain forest in tropical China. At least 22 ant species were recorded using the EFN resource, although some of those species were rare. Among these ants, Paratrechina sp.1 and Dolichoderus thoracicus were more aggressive than other species. Ant aggressiveness measured as ant behavioral dominance index (BDI) was positively correlated with ant abundance on the Passiflora species studied. Ant BDI was also positively correlated to the protection that ants provided against herbivory. In Passiflora siamica, the number of workers patrolling on the plants did negatively correlate with average leaf loss per plant. We conclude that in this facultative Passiflora–ant system, plant defense upon herbivore was indeed influenced by the total number of ants present on plant and the aggressiveness of these ants.     

Glucagon secretion in the hibernating edible dormouse (Glis glis)

Plasma glucose and glucagon concentrations were measured in edible dormice during the bout of hibernation, arousal and active periods. During lethargy, plasma glucose and glucagon were low, compared to active values and did not fluctuate throughout the phase. During rewarming, plasma glucose regularly increased from 17 degrees to 37 degrees C while plasma glucagon rose after the 17 degrees C stage and reached the higher values at 26 degrees C, then slightly decreased at 37 degrees C. During arousal, plasma levels of free amino acids progressively increased. The effect of temperature and secretagogue (glucose and arginine) on glucagon secretion was studied using perfused pancreas from hibernating edible dormouse. In vitro rewarming of pancreas induced an increase in glucagon secretion. Glucagon secretion was regulated by glucose (inhibitory effect) and by arginine (stimulating effect) up to 25 degrees C. The effect of temperature and glucagon on oxygen uptake of hibernating edible dormouse brown fat was studied using an in vitro technique. Rewarming strongly increased oxygen consumption from 10 to 37 degrees C. Glucagon enhanced oxygen consumption up to 20 degrees C.     

The importance of the spermathecal duct in bumblebees

The elongated spermathecal duct of bumblebees has been studied in hibernating queens, queens shortly after hibernation, mature egg-laying queens and uninseminated queens captured during summer, and workers. Only rather small size differences are found when comparing spermathecae of queens and workers. Clear differences between bumblebee queens and workers are found when comparing the histochemistry of the spermathecal ducts. Adult queens, regardless of age and reproductive status have spermathecal ducts that contain PAS positive material, whereas workers do not. It is suggested that the polysaccharides in the spermathecal ducts of queens are necessary as a source of energy for the rapid activation of spermatozoa passing through the duct prior to oocyte fertilization. An ultrastructural investigation revealed the presence of high glycogen content in the cells lining the duct of queens. Assuming that sperm cells are kept in a rather inactive state in the reservoir, the carbohydrate (glycogen) probably serves as an energy source for the sperm. The comparatively increased spermathecal duct length of bumblebees may increase the retention time of sperm inside the lumen.     

Seasonal changes in the cardiorespiratory responses to hypercarbia and temperature in the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana

We assessed the seasonal variations in the effects of hypercarbia (3 or 5% inspired CO2) on cardiorespiratory responses in the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana at different temperatures (10, 20 and 30 degrees C). We measured breathing frequency, blood gases, acid-base status, hematocrit, heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen consumption. At 20 and 30 degrees C, the rate of oxygen consumption had a tendency to be lowest during winter and highest during summer. Hypercarbia-induced changes in breathing frequency were proportional to body temperature during summer and spring, but not during winter (20 and 30 degrees C). Moreover, during winter, the effects of CO2 on breathing frequency at 30 degrees C were smaller than during summer and spring. These facts indicate a decreased ventilatory sensitivity during winter. PaO2 and pHa showed no significant change during the year, but PaCO2 was almost twice as high during winter than in summer and spring, indicating increased plasma bicarbonate levels. The hematocrit values showed no significant changes induced by temperature, hypercarbia or season, indicating that the oxygen carrying capacity of blood is kept constant throughout the year. Decreased body temperature was accompanied by a reduction in heart rate during all four seasons, and a reduction in blood pressure during summer and spring. Blood pressure was higher during winter than during any other seasons whereas no seasonal change was observed in heart rate. This may indicate that peripheral resistance and/or stroke volume may be elevated during this season. Taken together, these results suggest that the decreased ventilatory sensitivity to hypercarbia during winter occurs while cardiovascular parameters are kept constant.     

Normothermy,torpor, and arousal in hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) from Dunedin

Abstract

We measured oxygen consumption of hedgehogs from Dunedin during normothermy, torpor, and arousal from torpor during the winter. Basal oxygen consumption and minimum thermal conductance were not significantly different from expected values for an average mammal of the same body mass. Torpid oxygen consumption at 5°C was only 0.5% of resting normothermic oxygen consumption at the same temperature. Oxygen consumption during arousal was not significantly different to that predicted theoretically or to that recorded during resting normothermy over the same time period. Using previous measures of pre‐hibernal body fat content, we build a simple model showing the relative energetic implications for a hedgehog of entering or not entering hibernation, and suggest that, at low temperatures, body fat stores would be depleted in <1 day and >100 days in non‐hibernating and hibernating hedgehogs, respectively.     

Thermal constraints on foraging of tropical canopy ants

Small cursorial ectotherms risk overheating when foraging in the tropical forest canopy, where the surfaces of unshaded tree branches commonly exceed 50 °C. We quantified the heating and subsequent cooling rates of 11 common canopy ant species from Panama and tested the hypothesis that ant workers stop foraging at temperatures consistent with the prevention of overheating. We created hot experimental “sunflecks” on existing foraging trails of four ant species from different clades and spanning a broad range of body size, heating rate, and critical thermal maxima (CT_max). Different ant species exhibited very different heating rates in the lab, and these differences did not follow trends predicted by body size alone. Experiments with ant models showed that heating rates are strongly affected by color in addition to body size. Foraging workers of all species showed strong responses to heating and consistently abandoned focal sites between 36 and 44 °C. Atta colombica and Azteca trigona workers resumed foraging shortly after heat was removed, but Cephalotes atratus and Dolichoderus bispinosus workers continued to avoid the heated patch even after >5 min of cooling. Large foraging ants (C. atratus) responded slowly to developing thermal extremes, whereas small ants (A. trigona) evacuated sunflecks relatively quickly, and at lower estimated body temperatures than when revisiting previously heated patches. The results of this study provide the first field-based insight into how foraging ants respond behaviorally to the heterogeneous thermal landscape of the tropical forest canopy.     

Thermal acclimation of metabolic rate may be seasonally dependent in the subtropical anuran Latouche's frog (Rana latouchii, Boulenger)

We tested the hypothesis that the lack of metabolic thermal acclimation ability in tropical and subtropical amphibians is dependent on season and investigated the effects of body size, sex, time of day, and season on metabolic rates in Rana latouchii. The males were acclimated at 15 degrees, 20 degrees, and 25 degrees C, and their oxygen consumption was measured at 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, and 30 degrees C in all four seasons, with the exception that we did not measure oxygen consumption at 30 degrees C in winter frogs. We also acclimated the males at 30 degrees C in summer for investigating diel variation of metabolic rate. The females were acclimated at 20 degrees and 25 degrees C, and their oxygen consumption was measured at 15 degrees , 20 degrees , 25 degrees , and 30 degrees C in summer. Our results showed that metabolic rates of R. latouchii differed by time of day, season, and acclimation temperature but did not differ by sex if the results were adjusted for differences in body mass. Summer males exhibited a 26%-48% increase in metabolic rates from the lowest values in the seasons. There was a trend of increased oxygen consumption in cold-acclimated males, but it was significant only at 15 degrees and 25 degrees C in summer, autumn, and winter. These results support the hypothesis that thermal acclimation of metabolism is seasonally dependent, which has not been reported in other tropical and subtropical amphibians.     

Seasonal variation in blood and muscle oxygen stores attributed to diving behavior, environmental temperature and pregnancy in a marine predator, the California sea lion

Survival depends on an animal's ability to find and acquire prey. In diving vertebrates, this ability is directly related to their physiological capability (e.g. oxygen stores). We studied the seasonal variation in oxygen stores, body temperature and body condition in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) (CSL) as a function of seasonal variation in temperature, primary productivity, diving behavior and reproductive stage. During summer, blood oxygen stores were significantly greater and muscle oxygen stores were significantly lower than in winter. Total oxygen stores, body condition and body temperature did not change between seasons but variations in body temperature were greater during summer. Changes in oxygen stores are partly attributed to diving behavior, temperature and pregnancy that could increase oxygen consumption. Blood and muscle oxygen stores appear to be influenced by reproductive state. Blood oxygen stores are more likely influenced by diving behavior and temperature than muscle oxygen stores.     

Ants impact the composition of the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities of a myrmecophytic tank bromeliad

In an inundated Mexican forest, 89 out of 92 myrmecophytic tank bromeliads (Aechmea bracteata) housed an associated ant colony: 13 sheltered Azteca serica, 43 Dolichoderus bispinosus, and 33 Neoponera villosa. Ant presence has a positive impact on the diversity of the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities (n = 30 bromeliads studied). A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that the presence and the species of ant are not correlated to bromeliad size, quantity of water, number of wells, filtered organic matter or incident radiation. The PCA and a generalized linear model showed that the presence of Azteca serica differed from the presence of the other two ant species or no ants in its effects on the aquatic invertebrate community (more predators). Therefore, both ant presence and species of ant affect the composition of the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in the tanks of A. bracteata, likely due to ant deposition of feces and other waste in these tanks.     

Study of the testis in the active and hibernating hedgehog

The structure and ultrastructure of the hedgehog's testis has been studied during active and hibernating states. The maximum activity of the hedgehog's testis manifest itself in spring and summer. In autumn they enter in a seasonal resting, in which, the interstitial cells atrophy and it can observe primary spermatocytes resting next to spermatogonia and supporting cells in the seminiferous tubules. These have a minimal diameter and contain only primary spermatocytes in hibernating period also the seminiferous epithelium that compound the walls of the tubules are about 72 microns thick in the active period and about 47 microns in hibernation. The Sertoli cells shows a small diameter in hibernation than in the active season. The nucleus has one or two nucleoli with distinguish themselves from those observed in the active season because of their closer union with the inner nuclear envelope. In autumn (resting period) the interstitial tissue regress and the Leydig cells are aggregated in blocks with little cytoplasm, minimum size nuclei and 1 or 2 nucleolus closely to the inner nuclear membrane. Like then in the ovary, the hedgehog's testis follows a seasonal cycle determined by the temperature and environmental changes and it have a power of physiological adaptation inherent of a typical hibernating animal.     

Effects of group size and pine defence chemicals on Diprionid sawfly survival against ant predation

The defence chemicals and behavioural adaptations (gregariousness and active defensive behaviour) of pine sawfly larvae may be effective against ant predation. However, previous studies have tested their defences against very few species of ants, and few experiments have explored ant predation in nature. We studied how larval group size (groups of 5 and 20 in Neodiprion sertifer and 10, 20 and 40 in Diprion pini) and variation in levels of defence chemicals in the host tree (Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris) affect the survival of sawfly larvae. Food preference experiments showed that ants do eat sawfly larvae, although they are not their most preferred food item. According to our results, ant predation significantly increases the mortality rate of sawfly larvae. Larval mortality was minor on pine tree branches where ant traffic was excluded. We also found that a high resin acid concentration in the host tree significantly decreased the mortality of D. pini larvae when ants were present. However, there was no such relationship between the chemical concentrations of the host tree and larval mortality for N. sertifer. Surprisingly, grouping did not help sawfly larvae against ant predation. Mortality risk was the same for all group sizes. The results of the study seemingly contradict previous understanding of the effectiveness of defence mechanisms of pine sawfly against ant predation, and suggest that ants (Formica exsecta in particular) are effective predators of sawfly larvae.An erratum to this article can be found at     

扶桑绵粉蚧及其蜜露对红火蚁的召集作用

为了明确扶桑绵粉蚧Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley及其蜜露对红火蚁Solenopsis invicta Buren的召集作用,利用双向选择诱集装置测定了扶桑绵粉蚧雌成虫及其分泌蜜露对红火蚁工蚁的诱集数量动态。结果表明：（1）蜜露对红火蚁工蚁具有强烈的召集作用,不管扶桑绵粉蚧存在与否,均可在10~20 min出现觅食工蚁的数量高峰,之后随着蜜露量减少,觅食工蚁诱集数量也逐渐降低,明显高于对照;（2）仅有扶桑绵粉蚧雌成虫存在时,红火蚁觅食工蚁数量呈现逐渐增加的趋势,50 min才达到数量高峰,之后无明显下降趋势;（3）对比蜜露和雌成虫对红火蚁工蚁的诱集结果发现,蜜露对红火蚁工蚁的召集作用明显较强,10 min即可出现91.50头的觅食工蚁数量高峰,而雌成虫对红火蚁的诱集量较低,诱集高峰出现在42 min,诱集量仅为39.17头。因此,扶桑绵粉蚧及其蜜露均对红火蚁工蚁具有一定的召集作用,蜜露的召集作用明显较强,而雌成虫的召集作用较为稳定,未随着时间延长出现明显下降。     

Effect of whole body gamma radiation on hepatic LDH activity,lactate, pyruvate concentration and rate of oxygen consumption in Bufo melanostictus

Whole body Co60 gamma radiation induced changes in lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, pyruvate, lactate content and rate of oxygen (O2) consumption in a tropical hibernating anuran (Bufo melanostictus). In 3.5 and 7 Gy treated groups, a significant increase in LDH activity and lactate/pyruvate ratio was observed, whereas a significant decrease in O2 consumption rate was observed in treated animals on post-irradiation day (PID) 1, 5 and 10. Increase in LDH activity was observed on PID-1 in both the treated groups, reached to a peak on PID-5 in 7 Gy treated group and then declined on PID-10.     

Comparative morphology of cephalic exocrine glands among castes of the black ant Lasius niger

The glandular system is crucially involved in main aspects of ant social life. The function of glands has been primarily studied in the workers (the non-reproductive individuals in a colony). In contrast, little information is available on queens (the reproductive females in a colony) or males in spite of the obvious functional differences between these castes. Here we report a comparison of the general morphology of the mandibular, propharyngeal and postpharyngeal glands between the three castes of the black ant Lasius niger. The analysis clearly shows that all these cephalic glands differ in relative size between castes and suggests a link between gland structure and its behavioral role in queens, workers and males. In particular, males present a hypertrophied mandibular gland. This is consistent with the fact that these glands might be the source of the sex pheromone in this caste. By contrast, queens exhibited the most developed postpharyngeal glands. This is consistent with the production of particular cues by queens for workers to help them to distinguish between reproductive and non-reproductive females. Finally, the propharyngeal glands were most developed in the worker caste and of similar relative size in males and queens. Their function is still enigmatic.     

Blunted functional responses to pre- and postjunctional sympathetic stimulation in hibernating myocardium

Regional reductions in norepinephrine-tracer uptake are found in pigs with hibernating myocardium. Clinical studies would suggest that this is evidence for denervation; however, the functional responses to sympathetic stimulation have not been evaluated, and our previous studies with beta-adrenergic stimulation have not suggested denervation hypersensitivity. Therefore, pigs were chronically instrumented to produce hibernating myocardium characterized by chronic regional dysfunction and histological viability. Open-chest studies were performed to determine changes in regional function in response to both pre- and postjunctional stimulation. Regional segment shortening was reduced at rest in hibernating myocardium compared with controls (13 +/- 3% vs. 27 +/- 3%, P = 0.004). During stellate ganglion stimulation, regional function increased in both groups of animals (P = 0.008 vs. baseline), but the increase in hibernating myocardium was blunted compared with controls (Delta%, 3 +/- 2% vs. 8 +/- 3%, P = 0.04). Similar results occurred with intracoronary tyramine (10 mug/kg). Functional improvement during intravenous epinephrine infusion (0.35 mug.kg(-1).min(-1)) was also blunted in hibernating myocardium compared with controls (Delta%, 7 +/- 1% vs. 15 +/- 2%, P = 0.04). Even when the improvement in function was expressed relative to the reduced baseline, there was no evidence for catecholamine-mediated hypersensitivity in hibernating myocardium. We therefore conclude that functional responses to both pre- and postjunctional sympathetic stimulation are blunted in pigs with hibernating myocardium. In contrast to previous studies of infarcted, denervated, and acutely stunned myocardium, there is no catecholamine-induced hypersensitivity in hibernating myocardium. These data suggest a downregulation in functional responses to stimulation that would protect hibernating myocardium from demand-induced ischemia at the expense of contractile reserve during sympathetic stimulation.     

Inter- and intraspecific aggression in the invasive longlegged ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The longlegged ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes (Fr. Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is a highly invasive species that can aggressively displace other ant species. We conducted laboratory assays to examine interspecies aggression of A. gracilipes versus 15 sympatric ant species found in the urban environment and disturbed habitat in Malaysia: Monomorium pharaonis (L.), Monomorium floricola (Jerdon), Monomorium orientale Mayr, Monomorium destructor (Jerdon), Pheidole parva Mayr, Crematogaster sp., Solenopsis geminata (F.), Tapinoma indicum (Forel), Tapinoma melanocephalum (F.), Technomyrmnex butteli Forel, Dolichoderus thoracicus (Smith), Paratrechina longicornis (Latrielle), Oecophylla smaragdina (F), Camponotus sp., and Tetraponera rufonigra (Jerdon). A. gracilipes showed aggressive behavior toward all opponent species, except the smallest M. orientale. Opponent species size (body size, head width, and mandible width) was significantly correlated with A. gracilipes aggression level and mortality rate. We also found a significant positive relationship between A. gracilipes aggression level and the mortality of the opponent species. The results suggest that invasive populations of A. gracilipes would have the greatest impact on larger ant species. In addition, we examined the intraspecific aggression of A. gracilipes. We found that A. gracilipes from different localities in Malaysia showed intraspecific aggression toward one another. This finding differs from the results of studies conducted in Christmas Island earlier. Differences in the genetic variability among populations may explain these differing results.     

Field Release and Establishment of the Decapitating Fly Pseudacteon curvatus on Red Imported Fire Ants in Florida

Decapitating phorid flies in the genus Pseudacteon are being studied as classical biological control agents of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier (Diptera: Phoridae) is a small decapitating fly that attacks small fire ant workers. We released a biotype of P. curvatus from Formosa, Argentina, at three sites near Gainesville, FL. Field releases were conducted in the spring and summer of 2003 and monitored monthly. Flies were discovered within 5 weeks at the spring site and then monthly thereafter. By late spring 2004, flies released at this site had expanded 1.6 km both north and south and about 0.8 km westward. Initially, we found no flies from the two summer 2003 releases but we were successful at finding them 8 months after release during spring 2004. This paper documents the first successful release(s) of P. curvatus on red imported fire ants in the United States.