Interspecific relationships in co‐occurring populations of social parasites and their host ants

Myrmica ant colonies host numerous insect species, including the larvae of Maculinea butterflies and Microdon myrmicae hoverflies. Little is known about the interspecific relationships among these social parasites and their host ants occurring in sympatric populations. We investigated communities of social parasites to assess the strategies allowing them to share the same pool of resources (i.e. Myrmica colonies). The present study was carried out at five sites inhabited by different social parasite communities, each comprising varying proportions of Maculinea teleius, Maculinea nausithous, Maculinea alcon, and Microdon myrmicae. We investigated their spatial distributions, host segregation, the degree of chemical similarity between social parasites and hosts, and temporal overlaps in colony resource exploitation. Spatial segregation among social parasites was found in two populations and it arises from microhabitat preferences and biological interactions. Local conditions can drive selection on one social parasite to use a Myrmica host species that is not exploited by other social parasites. Myrmica scabrinodis and Myrmica rubra nests infested by larvae of two social parasite species were found and the most common co‐occurrence was between Ma. teleius and Mi. myrmicae. The successful coexistence of these two species derives from their exploitation of the host colony resources at different times of the year. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 109 , 699–709.     

Atp1a3‐deficient heterozygous mice show lower rank in the hierarchy and altered social behavior

Atp1a3 is the Na‐pump alpha3 subunit gene expressed mainly in neurons of the brain. Atp1a3‐deficient heterozygous mice (Atp1a3^+/?) show altered neurotransmission and deficits of motor function after stress loading. To understand the function of Atp1a3 in a social hierarchy, we evaluated social behaviors (social interaction, aggression, social approach and social dominance) of Atp1a3^+/? and compared the rank and hierarchy structure between Atp1a3^+/? and wild‐type mice within a housing cage using the round‐robin tube test and barbering observations. Formation of a hierarchy decreases social conflict and promote social stability within the group. The hierarchical rank is a reflection of social dominance within a cage, which is heritable and can be regulated by specific genes in mice. Here we report: (1) The degree of social interaction but not aggression was lower in Atp1a3^+/? than wild‐type mice, and Atp1a3^+/? approached Atp1a3^+/? mice more frequently than wild type. (2) The frequency of barbering was lower in the Atp1a3^+/? group than in the wild‐type group, while no difference was observed in the mixed‐genotype housing condition. (3) Hierarchy formation was not different between Atp1a3^+/? and wild type. (4) Atp1a3^+/? showed a lower rank in the mixed‐genotype housing condition than that in the wild type, indicating that Atp1a3 regulates social dominance. In sum, Atp1a3^+/? showed unique social behavior characteristics of lower social interaction and preference to approach the same genotype mice and a lower ranking in the hierarchy.     

综合性三级医院公益性评价的灰关联聚类分析

摘要 目的 对不同地区的7家综合性三级医院进行公益性水平的初步评价与分析。方法 运用灰关联聚类分析。 结果 7家三级医院的公益性水平总体偏低,仅各有一家医院经灰关联聚类分析归类为好与中,其余5家医院均归类为欠佳,不同地区三级医院公益性水平有一定差别。结论 灰关联聚类分析证明公立三级综合性医院公益性水平亟待加强,应从公益性的影响因素入手提高与改善公立三级医院的公益性水平。     

Direct and indirect genetic effects in life‐history traits of flour beetles (Tribolium castaneum)

Indirect genetic effects (IGEs) are the basis of social interactions among conspecifics, and can affect genetic variation of nonsocial and social traits. We used flour beetles (Tribolium castaneum) of two phenotypically distinguishable populations to estimate genetic (co)variances and the effect of IGEs on three life‐history traits: development time (DT), growth rate (GR), and pupal body mass (BM). We found that GR was strongly affected by social environment with IGEs accounting for 18% of the heritable variation. We also discovered a sex‐specific social effect: male ratio in a group significantly affected both GR and BM; that is, beetles grew larger and faster in male‐biased social environments. Such sex‐specific IGEs have not previously been demonstrated in a nonsocial insect. Our results show that beetles that achieve a higher BM do so via a slower GR in response to social environment. Existing models of evolution in age‐structured or stage‐structured populations do not account for IGEs of social cohorts. It is likely that such IGEs have played a key role in the evolution of developmental plasticity shown by Tenebrionid larvae in response to density. Our results document an important source of genetic variation for GR, often overlooked in life‐history theory.     

不同地区三级医院患者公益性评价比较及影响因素研究

????? 目的 了解不同地区患者对三级公立医院公益性的评价,探究公益性评价的影响因素。方法 通过问卷的形式,在东、中、西3个地区选择在三级医院就诊的患者进行调查, 使用Pearson Chi-square、非参数检验和Logistic回归方法对数据进行分析。 结果 患者对于公立医院的公益性评价存在一定的地区差异,但公益性总体评价的影响因素类似,医疗服务的适宜性和公平性是主要影响因素。结论 加强三级公立医院的公益性应该着重提高医疗服务的适宜性,提高医疗服务的公平性。     

Littermate Influences on Behavioral Development in Acomys cahirinus and Mus musculus

To assess the influence of “littermate” characteristics on early social interactions, preweaning spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) were raised in pairs consisting of pups differing in age by 15 days, or with a Mus musculus agemate. Whereas the older pups appeared to be relatively unaffected by the replacement of their original littermate with a younger pup, the frequencies of suckling and social contact by the younger pups differed as a function of the age of littermates with whom they were raised. Likewise, although the behaviour of Acomys pups raised with conspecifics vs. Mus agemates did not vary, Mus pups housed with a Mus littermate displayed more frequent interactions with their littermate and less contact with the foster mother than did Mus pups raised with an Acomys littermate. It was concluded that the effective preweaning social environment of Mus and A. cahirinus consists of more than the mother. In particular, littermate characteristics appear to influence interactions between the pups themselves as well as with other social partners.     

Performance of Myrmica ant colonies is correlated with the presence of social parasites

1. The performance of ant colonies depends on different factors such as nest site, colony structure or the presence of pathogens and social parasites. Myrmica ants host various types of social parasites, including the larvae of Maculinea butterflies and Microdonmyrmicae (Schönrogge) hoverfly. How these social parasites affect host colony performance is still unexplored. 2. It was examined how the presence of Maculinea teleius Bergsträsser, Maculinea alcon (Denis & Schiffermüller), and M. myrmicae larvae, representing different feeding and growth strategies inside host colonies, is associated with worker survival, the number of foragers, and colony productivity parameters such as growth and reproduction. 3. It was found that the presence of social parasites is negatively associated with total colony production and the production of ant larvae and gynes. Male production was lower only in nests infested by M. teleius, whereas the number of worker pupae was significantly higher in all types of infested colonies than in uninfested colonies. Laboratory observations indicated that nests infested by Maculinea larvae are characterised by a higher number of foragers compared to uninfested nests but we did not find differences in worker survival among nest types. 4. The observed pattern of social parasite influence on colony productivity can be explained by the feeding strategies of parasitic larvae. The most negative effect was found for M. teleius, which feeds on the largest host brood and eliminates a high number of sexual forms. The strong, adverse influence of all studied parasite species on gyne production may result in low queen production in Myrmica populations exposed to these social parasites.     

Rolling stones and stable homes: social structure,habitat diversity and population genetics of the Hawaiian spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris)

Spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) exhibit different social behaviours at two regions in the Hawaiian Archipelago: off the high volcanic islands in the SE archipelago they form dynamic groups with ever‐changing membership, but in the low carbonate atolls in the NW archipelago they form long‐term stable groups. To determine whether these environmental and social differences influence population genetic structure, we surveyed spinner dolphins throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago with mtDNA control region sequences and 10 microsatellite loci (n = 505). F‐statistics, Bayesian cluster analyses, and assignment tests revealed population genetic separations between most islands, with less genetic structuring among the NW atolls than among the SE high islands. The populations with the most stable social structure (Midway and Kure Atolls) have the highest gene flow between populations (mtDNA Φ_ST < 0.001, P = 0.357; microsatellite F_ST = ?0.001; P = 0.597), and a population with dynamic groups and fluid social structure (the Kona Coast of the island of Hawai’i) has the lowest gene flow (mtDNA 0.042 < Φ_ST < 0.236, P < 0.05; microsatellite 0.016 < F_ST < 0.040, P < 0.001). We suggest that gene flow, dispersal, and social structure are influenced by the availability of habitat and resources at each island. Genetic comparisons to a South Pacific location (n = 16) indicate that Hawaiian populations are genetically depauperate and isolated from other Pacific locations (mtDNA 0.216 < F_ST < 0.643, P < 0.001; microsatellite 0.058 < F_ST < 0.090, P < 0.001); this isolation may also influence social and genetic structure within Hawai’i. Our results illustrate that genetic and social structure are flexible traits that can vary between even closely‐related populations.     

Genetic differentiation across the social transition in a socially polymorphic sweat bee,Halictus rubicundus

Eusociality is widely considered a major evolutionary transition. The socially polymorphic sweat bee Halictus rubicundus, solitary in cooler regions of its Holarctic range and eusocial in warmer parts, is an excellent model organism to address this transition, and specifically the question of whether sociality is associated with a strong barrier to gene flow between phenotypically divergent populations. Mitochondrial DNA (COI) from specimens collected across the British Isles, where both solitary and social phenotypes are represented, displayed limited variation, but placed all specimens in the same European lineage; haplotype network analysis failed to differentiate solitary and social lineages. Microsatellite genetic variability was high and enabled us to quantify genetic differentiation among populations and social phenotypes across Great Britain and Ireland. Results from conceptually different analyses consistently showed greater genetic differentiation between geographically distant populations, independently of their social phenotype, suggesting that the two social forms are not reproductively isolated. A landscape genetic approach revealed significant isolation by distance (Mantel test r = 0.622, P < 0.001). The Irish Sea acts as physical barrier to gene flow (partial Mantel test r = 0.453, P < 0.01), indicating that geography, rather than expression of solitary or social behaviour (partial Mantel test r = −0.238, P = 0.053), had a significant effect on the genetic structure of H. rubicundus across the British Isles. Although we cannot reject the hypothesis of a genetic underpinning to differences in solitary and eusocial phenotypes, our data clearly demonstrate a lack of reproductive isolation between the two social forms.     

Experimental Conversion of Colony Social Organization in Fire Ants (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solenopsis invicta</Emphasis>): Worker Genotype Manipulation in the Absence of Queen Effects

Colony social organization in the fire ant Solenopsis invicta appears to be under strong genetic control. In the invasive USA range, polygyny (multiple queens per colony) is marked by the presence of the Gp-9 ^b allele in most of a colony’s workers, whereas monogyny (single queen per colony) is associated with the exclusive occurrence of the Gp-9 ^B allele. Ross and Keller, Behav Ecol Sociobiol 51:287–295 (2002) experimentally manipulated social organization by cross-fostering queens into colonies of the alternate form, thereby changing adult worker Gp-9 genotype frequencies over time. Although these authors showed that social behavior switched predictably when the frequency of b-bearing adult workers crossed a threshold of 5–10%, the possibility that queen effects caused the conversions could not be excluded entirely. We addressed this problem by fostering polygyne brood into queenright monogyne colonies. All such treatment colonies switched social organization to become polygyne, coincident with their proportions of b-bearing workers exceeding 12%. Our results support the conclusion that polygyny in S. invicta is induced by a minimum frequency of colony workers carrying the b allele, and further confirm that its expression is independent of queen genotype or history, worker genotypes at genes not linked to Gp-9, and colony genetic diversity.     

The complex relationship between behavioral attributes,social status,and whole blood serotonin in male Macaca fascicularis

Among group-housed male Cercopithecus aethiops, dominant animals have higher concentrations of whole bood serotonin (WBS) than their subordinate counterparts. In contrast, there appears to be no relationship between social status and WBS in Macaca nemestrina. We report here the relationship between social status and WBS among 29 male Macaca fascicularis housed in groups of five. Membership in these groups was disrupted periodically (20 times in 26 months) with a reorganization manipulation. Concentrations of WBS were assessed just prior to the 20th (final) social reorganization and at 1, 2, and 5 weeks following that reorganization. Correlations between these repeated samples were high, indicating considerable intraindividual stability in WBS. Overall, there were no persistent differences in WBS between clearly dominant (ranked 1 or 2) and subordinate (ranked 3, 4, or 5) monkeys, despite the substantial behavioral differences between such animals and the stability of social status across time. A multivariate analysis indicated that WBS was best predicted by a model that included a positive relationship with the interaction between rate of grooming and social status (P < 0.002), a negative relationship with extreme aggressiveness (P = 0.03), and a positive relationship with time spent alone (P < 0.04). Further analysis of the social status by grooming rate interaction revealed that WBS was higher in dominants than subordinates, but only if the dominants also initiated grooming frequently. These differences in the relationship WBS and social status in C. aethiops and M. fascicularis may reflect differences in the behavioral dynamics underlying the dominance hierarchies in small groups of these two species.     

Detailed analysis of paternal knockout Grb10 mice suggests effects on stability of social behavior,rather than social dominance

Imprinted genes are highly expressed in monoaminergic regions of the midbrain and their functions in this area are thought to have an impact on mammalian social behaviors. One such imprinted gene is Grb10, of which the paternal allele is generally recognized as mediating social dominance behavior. However, there has been no detailed study of social dominance in Grb10 ^+/p mice. Moreover, the original study examined tube‐test behavior in isolated mice 10 months of age. Isolation testing favors more territorial and aggressive behaviors, and does not address social dominance strategies employed in group housing contexts. Furthermore, isolation stress impacts midbrain function and dominance related behavior, often through alterations in monoaminergic signaling. Thus, we undertook a systematic study of Grb10 ^+/p social rank and dominance behavior within the cage group, using a number of convergent behavioral tests. We examined both male and female mice to account for sex differences and tested cohorts aged 2, 6 and 10 months to examine any developments related to age. We found group‐housed Grb10 ^+/p mice do not show evidence of enhanced social dominance, but cages containing Grb10 ^+/p and wild‐type mice lacked the normal correlation between three different measures of social rank. Moreover, a separate study indicated isolation stress induced inconsistent changes in tube test behavior. Taken together, these data suggest future research on Grb10 ^+/p mice should focus on the stability of social behaviors, rather than dominance per se.     

Sex‐dependent effects of Cacna1c haploinsufficiency on juvenile social play behavior and pro‐social 50‐kHz ultrasonic communication in rats

As cross‐disorder risk gene, CACNA1C is implicated in the etiology of all major neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by deficits in social behavior and communication and there is evidence for sex‐dependent influences of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms within CACNA1C on diagnosis, course, and recovery in humans. In this study, we aimed, therefore, at further exploring the role of Cacna1c in regulating behavioral phenotypes, focusing on sex‐specific differences in social behavior and communication during the critical developmental period of adolescence in rats. Specifically, we compared rough‐and‐tumble play, concomitant emission of pro‐social 50‐kHz ultrasonic vocalizations, and social approach behavior in response to playback of 50‐kHz ultrasonic vocalizations between constitutive heterozygous Cacna1c ^+/? females and wildtype Cacna1c ^+/+ littermate controls, and contrasted present female findings to data previously reported in males. Our results show for the first time that partial depletion of Cacna1c leads to sex‐dependent alterations in social behavior and communication in rats. In females, Cacna1c haploinsufficiency led to hypermasculinization, with rough‐and‐tumble play behavior, in general, and pinning behavior, in particular, being even higher than in males without affecting concomitant 50‐kHz ultrasonic vocalizations. In males, in contrast, rough‐and‐tumble play behavior was not altered, yet emission of 50‐kHz ultrasonic vocalizations was diminished following partial Cacna1c depletion. The behavioral responses elicited by playback of 50‐kHz ultrasonic vocalizations were reduced upon partial Cacna1c depletion in both sexes. It thus can be concluded that Cacna1c plays a prominent sex‐dependent role in regulating juvenile rat social play behavior and pro‐social 50‐kHz ultrasonic communication with relevance to sex‐specific effects seen in neuropsychiatric disorders.     

Familial social structure and socially driven genetic differentiation in Hawaiian short‐finned pilot whales

Social structure can have a significant impact on divergence and evolution within species, especially in the marine environment, which has few environmental boundaries to dispersal. On the other hand, genetic structure can affect social structure in many species, through an individual preference towards associating with relatives. One social species, the short‐finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), has been shown to live in stable social groups for periods of at least a decade. Using mitochondrial control sequences from 242 individuals and single nucleotide polymorphisms from 106 individuals, we examine population structure among geographic and social groups of short‐finned pilot whales in the Hawaiian Islands, and test for links between social and genetic structure. Our results show that there are at least two geographic populations in the Hawaiian Islands: a Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) population and a Northwestern Hawaiian Islands/Pelagic population (F_ST and Φ_ST p < .001), as well as an eastern MHI community and a western MHI community (F_ST p = .009). We find genetically driven social structure, or high relatedness among social units and clusters (p < .001), and a positive relationship between relatedness and association between individuals (p < .0001). Further, socially organized clusters are genetically distinct, indicating that social structure drives genetic divergence within the population, likely through restricted mate selection (F_ST p = .05). This genetic divergence among social groups can make the species less resilient to anthropogenic or ecological disturbance. Conservation of this species therefore depends on understanding links among social structure, genetic structure and ecological variability within the species.     

Decreased aggression and increased repetitive behavior in Pten haploinsufficient mice

Aggression is an aspect of social behavior that can be elevated in some individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and a concern for peers and caregivers. Mutations in Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), one of several ASD risk factors encoding negative regulators of the PI3K–Akt–mTOR pathway, have been reported in individuals with ASD and comorbid macrocephaly. We previously showed that a mouse model of Pten germline haploinsufficiency (Pten^+/?) has selective deficits, primarily in social behavior, along with broad overgrowth of the brain. Here, we further examine the social behavior of Pten^+/? male mice in the resident–intruder test of aggression, using a comprehensive behavioral analysis to obtain an overall picture of the agonistic, non‐agonistic and non‐social behavior patterns of Pten^+/? mice during a free interaction with a novel conspecific. Pten^+/? male mice were involved in less aggression than their wild‐type littermates. Pten^+/? mice also performed less social investigation, including anogenital investigation and approaching and/or attending to the intruder, which is consistent with our previous finding of decreased sociability in the social approach test. In contrast to these decreases in social behaviors, Pten^+/? mice showed increased digging. In summary, we report decreased aggression and increased repetitive behavior in Pten^+/? mice, thus extending our characterization of this model of an ASD risk factor that features brain overgrowth and social deficits.     

The evolution of social parasitism in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acromyrmex</Emphasis> leaf-cutting ants: a test of Emery’s rule

Summary Emerys rule predicts that social parasites and their hosts share common ancestry and are therefore likely to be close relatives. Within the leaf-cutting ant genus Acromyrmex, two taxa of social parasites have been found, which are thought to occupy opposite grades of permanent social parasitism, based on their contrasting morphologies: Acromyrmex insinuator differs little in morphology from its free-living congeneric host species and produces a worker caste, and is thus thought to represent an early grade of social parasitism. At the other extreme, Pseudoatta spp. exhibit a very specialised morphology and lack a worker caste, both of which are characteristics of an evolutionarily derived grade of social parasitism. Here we present a molecular phylogeny using partial sequences of cytochrome oxidase I and II of about half of the known Acromyrmex species including two social parasites, their hosts and all congeneric species occurring sympatrically. We show that the two inquiline parasites represent two separate origins of social parasitism in the genus Acromyrmex. The early-grade social parasite A. insinuator is highly likely to be the sister species of its host Acromyrmex echinator, but the derived social parasite Pseudoatta sp. is not the sister species of its extant host Acromyrmex rugosus.Received 18 November 2002; revised 16 July 2003; accepted 24 July 2003.     

医务社工与志愿者在医院服务管理中作用的评价

目的 通过实证调查采集患者、医务工作者和志愿者对医务社工及志愿者工作的评价,解析医务社工及志愿者在医院服务管理中的作用。方法 采用问卷调查、文献查阅、深度访谈法,调研上海市三家三级甲等公立医院获取第一手资料。结果 调查结果显示,患者、医务人员及医务管理人员高度认可医务社工与志愿者在医院服务管理的作用。结论 医务社工和志愿者在医院服务管理中能发挥独特的作用,可以增进医患沟通,缓解或预防医患矛盾,给患者更多人文关怀和增值服务,一定程度上解决医患之间的诊治经费问题,提升服务品质、降低人力成本,应当得到全社会更多的重视。     

Dominant black-capped chickadees pay no maintenance energy costs for their wintering status and are not better at enduring cold than subordinate individuals

Winter requires physiological adjustments in northern resident passerines. Cold acclimatization is generally associated with an increase in physiological maintenance costs, measured as basal metabolic rate (BMR), and cold endurance, reflected by summit metabolic rate (M _sum). However, several northern species also form social groups in winter and a bird’s hierarchical position may influence the size of its metabolically active organs as well as its BMR. Winter metabolic performance in these species may therefore reflect a complex set of adjustments to both seasonal climatic variations and social environment. We studied the effect of social status on parameters of cold acclimatization (body mass, size of fat reserves and pectoral muscles, BMR and M _sum) in free-living black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus). Birds that were structurally large and heavy for their body size, mostly dominant individuals, carried more fat reserves and had larger pectoral muscles. However, social status had little effect on metabolic performance in the cold. Indeed, M _sum was independent of social rank while mass-corrected BMR was slightly lower in dominant individuals, likely due to a statistical dilution effect caused by large metabolically inactive fat reserves. BMR and M _sum, whether considered in terms of whole-animal values, corrected for body mass or body size were nevertheless correlated, suggesting a functional link between these metabolic components. Our results therefore indicate that the energy cost of social dominance is not a generalized phenomenon in small wintering birds.     

社会资本进入公立医院政策演进分析

目的 对我国公立医院利用社会资本的有关政策进行阐述和分析。方法 基于国内公立医院发展现况,通过个案调查、访谈、文献查阅等形式,对公立医院的融资过程进行政策分析。结果 公立医院对社会资本引入的尝试,已形成了一些具有若干特点的融资模式,如银行贷款、融资租赁、慈善捐赠等。结论 我国公立医院为实现可持续发展,多渠道引入社会资本已经成为必然的发展趋势。但从整体上讲,还未形成满足各种社会资本状况的政策体系。     

Sociality Motivation and Anthropomorphic Thinking about Pets

Sociality motivation, the need to feel socially connected with others, has been proposed as an important determinant of individual variation in anthropomorphic thinking. Specifically, it has been suggested that people who are socially isolated or disconnected will tend to infer more human-like mental states in animals and other nonhuman agents (computers, robots, metaphysical beings, etc.), than those who have higher levels of contact with other people. We investigated this hypothesis in a community-based sample of cat and dog owners, measuring degree of anthropomorphism by asking them which emotions they believed their pet was capable of experiencing, how likely they were to rely on it for social support, and how attached they were to it. Structural measures of social disconnection, including the number of other adults living in the household and the number of social contacts outside the home, were not generally associated with the tendency to think anthropomorphically about pets. However, owners living in households with no children (under the age of 16 years) reported higher levels of attachment to their pet than did those with children (B = 1.678, p < 0.001), and felt that they derived relatively more social support from it than they did from humans (F_(1,244) = 4.997, p < 0.05, partial η² = 0.020). In addition, a trait-based indicator of social disconnection (self-reported anxiety about human social relationships) was associated with a heightened tendency for owners to report turning to their pet for support (F_(1,244) = 19.617, p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.074), and attributing more human-like emotions to it (F_(1,244) = 8.354, p < 0.005, partial η² = 0.033). These findings support a link between social disconnection and anthropomorphic thinking in a community setting; they also suggest that different forms of social disconnection (structural and trait-based) may generate different types of sociality motivation, and thereby influence different facets of anthropomorphic thinking.