Alain Dejean

Arthropod diversity in a tropical forest

Assessing Creepy Crawlies Arthropods are the most diverse group of terrestrial animal species, yet estimates of the total number of arthropod species have varied widely, especially for tropical forests. Basset et al. (p. 1481, see the cover) now provide more reliable estimates of total arthropod species richness in a tropical rainforest in Panama. Intensive sampling of a half hectare of forest yielded just over 6000 arthropod species. Scaling up this result to the whole forest suggests that the total species diversity lies between 17,000 and 40,000 species. Total arthropod species richness in a tropical rainforest can be best predicted by plant diversity. Most eukaryotic organisms are arthropods. Yet, their diversity in rich terrestrial ecosystems is still unknown. Here we produce tangible estimates of the total species richness of arthropods in a tropical rainforest. Using a comprehensive range of structured protocols, we sampled the phylogenetic breadth of arthropod taxa from the soil to the forest canopy in the San Lorenzo forest, Panama. We collected 6144 arthropod species from 0.48 hectare and extrapolated total species richness to larger areas on the basis of competing models. The whole 6000-hectare forest reserve most likely sustains 25,000 arthropod species. Notably, just 1 hectare of rainforest yields >60% of the arthropod biodiversity held in the wider landscape. Models based on plant diversity fitted the accumulated species richness of both herbivore and nonherbivore taxa exceptionally well. This lends credence to global estimates of arthropod biodiversity developed from plant models.

Ponericins, New Antibacterial and Insecticidal Peptides from the Venom of the Ant Pachycondyla goeldii

The antimicrobial, insecticidal, and hemolytic properties of peptides isolated from the venom of the predatory ant Pachycondyla goeldii, a member of the subfamily Ponerinae, were investigated. Fifteen novel peptides, named ponericins, exhibiting antibacterial and insecticidal properties were purified, and their amino acid sequences were characterized. According to their primary structure similarities, they can be classified into three families: ponericin G, W, and L. Ponericins share high sequence similarities with known peptides: ponericins G with cecropin-like peptides, ponericins W with gaegurins and melittin, and ponericins L with dermaseptins. Ten peptides were synthesized for further analysis. Their antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains were analyzed together with their insecticidal activities against cricket larvae and their hemolytic activities. Interestingly, within each of the three families, several peptides present differences in their biological activities. The comparison of the structural features of ponericins with those of well-studied peptides suggests that the ponericins may adopt an amphipathic α-helical structure in polar environments, such as cell membranes. In the venom, the estimated peptide concentrations appear to be compatible with an antibacterial activity in vivo. This suggests that in the ant colony, the peptides exhibit a defensive role against microbial pathogens arising from prey introduction and/or ingestion.

Permanent Genetic Resources added to Molecular Ecology Resources Database 1 December 2009-31 January 2010

This article documents the addition of 220 microsatellite marker loci to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Allanblackia floribunda, Amblyraja radiata, Bactrocera cucurbitae, Brachycaudus helichrysi, Calopogonium mucunoides, Dissodactylus primitivus, Elodea canadensis, Ephydatia fluviatilis, Galapaganus howdenae howdenae, Hoplostethus atlanticus, Ischnura elegans, Larimichthys polyactis, Opheodrys vernalis, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, Phragmidium violaceum, Pistacia vera, and Thunnus thynnus. These loci were cross‐tested on the following species: Allanblackia gabonensis, Allanblackia stanerana, Neoceratitis cyanescens, Dacus ciliatus, Dacus demmerezi, Bactrocera zonata, Ceratitis capitata, Ceratitis rosa, Ceratits catoirii, Dacus punctatifrons, Ephydatia mülleri, Spongilla lacustris, Geodia cydonium, Axinella sp., Ischnura graellsii, Ischnura ramburii, Ischnura pumilio, Pistacia integerrima and Pistacia terebinthus.

Beetle pollination of Philodendron solimoesense (Araceae) in French Guiana

The pollination of Philodendron solimoesense (subgenus Meconostigma) was studied in four populations of French Guiana. Flowering is asynchronous within each population during July, and the flowering cycle is a 2‐d process. Numerous insects visit Philodendron inflorescences, but the main pollinator seems to be Cyclocephala colasi (Scarabaeidae, Dynastinae). The pollination process displays aspects typical of beetle pollination: the production of heat and of a strong odor, the presence of a food reward (stigmatic secretion and sterile male flowers), and the presence of a copulation chamber. Flower heat production is important (ca. 11°C above the ambient air) and may help to volatilize the fragrance. Attraction and choice‐test experiments showed that C. colasi is not likely to depend on chemical information (such as pheromone) to localize conspecifics but may rely instead on stimuli produced by the inflorescences in order to meet mating partners.

Niche opportunity and ant invasion: the case of Wasmannia auropunctata in a New Caledonian rain forest

Due to the unbalanced distribution of their fauna and flora, which leads to the creation of a niche opportunities, it is generally accepted that island communities offer weak biotic resistance to biological invasion. In order to empirically test this statement, we compared resource use by ants in the understorey of an undisturbed New Caledonian rain forest recently invaded by the little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata. We tested the exploitation of: (1) food sources by placing baits on all trees with trunks greater than 5 cm in diameter; and (2) nesting sites on two tree species likely to shelter ant colonies. In non-invaded areas, the native ants occupied only 44.6% of the baits after 2 h of exposure, while in invaded areas all the baits were occupied by numerous W. auropunctata workers. Similarly, in non-invaded areas only 48.9% of Meryta coriacea (Araliaceae) trees and 64.5% of Basselinia pancheri (Arecaceae) sheltered ants, while in invaded areas W. auropunctata nested in 92.6-98.3% of these trees. Also, workers attended native Margarodidae (Hemiptera) for which they promoted the development of populations significantly larger than those attended by native ants. Thus native ants appear unable to efficiently exploit and defend several of the available food sources and nesting sites, providing a niche opportunity for an invader like W. auropunctata.

Experimental Evidence of Large-Scale Unicoloniality in the Tramp Ant Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger)

We examined intraspecific colonial aggressiveness in Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger), a tramp species originating from the neotropics. By observing the results of one-on-one confrontations, we compared the behavioral responses of workers originating from six New Caledonian locations (introduced range) and four Brazilian cocoa plantations (original range). We recorded interindividual “aggressive” behavior on four levels ranging from physical contact, with no aggressive response, to prolonged aggressiveness, including stinging by one or both ants. In Brazil, we often observed high intraspecific aggressiveness between populations originating from distant locations, indicating that W. auropunctata may behave as a multicolonial species in its native range. In New Caledonia, paired encounters resulted in low agonistic behavior, as shown by the absence of “full attacks” (which include stinging by one or both opponents). Our results suggest that W. auropunctata behaves as a single supercolony throughout New Caledonia and that the scale of its unicoloniality (widespread colonies with interconnected nests without aggressiveness between workers originating from distant areas) is different in introduced and native populations. According to the present study, it seems likely that differences in intraspecific aggressiveness between native and introduced populations of W. auropunctata contribute to its invasive success.

Ant gardens: interspecific recognition in parabiotic ant species

Abstract In French Guiana, parabiotic societies (natural mixed colonies) are frequently found in ant gardens. Crematogaster limata parabiotica (Myrmicinae), often associated with Camponotus femoratus (Formicinae), was found for the first time in parabiosis with ponerine ants: Pachycondyla goeldii and Odontomachus mayi. A detailed study of the relationships between Cr. l. parabiotica and O. mayi showed that each species is aggressive towards allospecific or conspecific individuals belonging to another colony, but tolerates allospecific individuals from the multi-species society. Studies of cuticular substances of the four ant species were made using gas chromatography. The results showed that each species, living alone or in parabiosis, possesses a specific chemical profile. Thus, the ants are able to recognise nestmate and non-nestmate individuals of the associated species, even though their cuticular profiles are different. The hypothesis that the nestmate allospecific profile is learned is suggested to explain this pattern of recognition.

Tropical arboreal ant mosaics: innate attraction and imprinting determine nest site selection in dominant ants

Abstract The modalities of nest site selection have, until now, been a key factor missing in the understanding of the arboreal ant mosaic, the manipulation of which could be used to favour one ant species to the detriment of others in biological control. We compared two dominant African arboreal ants of economic importance, Tetramorium aculeatum (Myrmicinae) and Oecophylla longinoda (Formicinae). The two species differed in terms of innate attraction to nesting site plants, their hierarchies of attractiveness being nearly inverse. Winged females and workers were confronted with choice tests using four plant species. By using winged females and workers originating from one of the plants to be tested, we showed the existence of a familiarisation process which can supersede innate attraction in both species. We recorded the same effect in neonatal workers bred in the laboratory in contact with a tested plant for 25 days after emergence, while mature workers could not be conditioned. There is, therefore, early learning, with a sensitive period after which the influence of the environment ceases, suggesting that this is a true imprinting process. Choice tests using neonates produced from larvae and pupae bred in the laboratory in contact with the leaves of each tested plant permitted us to demonstrate the existence of pre-imaginal learning. Nest site selection therefore depends on innate selective attraction and on environmental factors whose effect begins at the larval stage. There is, therefore, the potential to “control” imprinting, allowing one ant species to be favoured to the detriment of others in monospecific tree crop plantations.

Capture and retrieval of very large prey by workers of the African weaver ant, Oecophylla longinoda (Latreille 1802).

We report numerous cases of capture and/or retrieval of very large prey by workers of the African weaver ant, Oecophylla longinoda (Latreille 1802), observed in Cameroon, Nigeria and Zaire. We describe also the remains of vertebrate prey found in the nests of O. longinoda in South Cameroon. Retrieval of large prey was exclusively observed in workers of large, mature colonies of O. longinoda, occupying solitary trees or bushes or groups of trees. As a rule, large prey were transported whole. As demonstrated by field and laboratory tests, O. longinoda capture large insects most efficiently while hunting in the manner of army ants. The arolia on the feet of workers of O. longinoda are of crucial importance for the success of capture and transport of large prey. Previously, retrieval of vertebrate prey was reported only in the Asian weaver ant species, O. smaragdina (Fabricius 1775). Our observations provide an account of some of the most striking cases of individual and cooperative transport of large objects...

Ecologically heterogeneous populations of the invasive ant Wasmannia auropunctata within its native and introduced ranges

Abstract 1. The biology of most invasive species in their native geographical areas remains largely unknown. Such studies are, however, crucial in shedding light on the ecological and evolutionary processes underlying biological invasions.