Article
Ecology
Yuliana Christopher, William T. Wcislo, Sergio Martinez-Luis, William O. H. Hughes, Nicole M. Gerardo, Hermogenes Fernandez-Marin
Summary: Antagonistic interactions between host and parasites are often complex due to interactions within networks of multiple species. In this study, two sympatric species of fungus-growing ants and their symbiotic fungal cultivars were found to be attacked by multiple morphotypes of parasitic fungi. The results showed differences in the frequency of infection by pathogens between the two ant species, as well as variations in the ability of the host fungi to suppress Escovopsis growth and ant defensive responses toward the parasites.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Allyson Dekovich, Sean Ryan, Andrew Bouwma, Luis Calcaterra, Rogerio Silvestre, Margaret Staton, Dewayne Shoemaker
Summary: Inquiline ant social parasites exploit other ant species for their reproductive benefit because they do not possess a worker caste. The biology and natural history of inquilines are largely unknown due to their relative rarity in nature. This study shows that inquiline Solenopsis daguerrei likely exists in four genetically distinct groups, each with different degrees of host association. Inbreeding is common in S. daguerrei, presumably a result of intranidal mating and restricted dispersal.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Felicien Degueldre, Patrick Mardulyn, Alexandre Kuhn, Amelie Pinel, Celal Karaman, Claude Lebas, Enrico Schifani, Gregor Bracko, Herbert C. Wagner, Kadri Kiran, Lech Borowiec, Luc Passera, Silvia Abril, Xavier Espadaler, Serge Aron
Summary: Studies have shown that parasitic social behavior has evolved independently at least 5 times in the genus, and all parasites are associated with one of the descendants of their most related free-living species, indicating that sympatric speciation is the main process leading to the emergence of parasitic species.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Review
Biology
Ayse Yilmaz, Johannes Spaethe
Summary: Ants are ecologically important insects with impressive capabilities for visual learning and orientation, able to discriminate between different colours irrespective of light intensity. However, findings across species are variable and inconsistent, indicating that our understanding of ant color vision and the role of ecological and phylogenetic factors is still in its early stages. Through compiling studies on molecular, physiological, and behavioral aspects of ant color vision, this review aims to deepen our understanding of color vision and gain insights into the colorful world of ants.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Rodolfo Da Silva Probst, Carlos Roberto Ferreira Brandao
Summary: This comprehensive revisionary study examines the cryptic habits of the exclusively Neotropical ant genus Basiceros using a recent molecular phylogenetic framework. The study recognizes nine species, including two new species. Taxonomic keys, images, and descriptions of castes and sexes (including larvae, males, and intercastes) are provided. The new records expand the distributional range for most species, and the study also includes natural history data and comments on character plasticity and convergence.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alberto Tinaut, Francisca Ruano
Summary: The study examines the diversity and distribution patterns of ants in the Iberian Peninsula, proposing biogeographical categories and refuge areas, analyzing the relationship between ant similarity and geographic location, and ultimately dividing the Iberian myrmecofauna into four distinct biogeographical groups. The results highlight the significance of biogeography in shaping ant communities and the utility of Iberian ants in understanding the evolutionary history and biogeography of the region.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kirsten Gotting, Daniel S. May, Jeffrey Sosa-Calvo, Lily Khadempour, Charlotte B. Francoeur, Aileen Berasategui, Margaret W. Thairu, Shelby Sandstrom, Caitlin M. Carlson, Marc G. Chevrette, Tim S. Bugni, Monica T. Pupo, Ted R. Schultz, J. Spencer Johnston, Nicole M. Gerardo, Cameron R. Currie
Summary: Fungi play a crucial role in shaping the diversity of life. This study investigates the genomic and metabolomic diversity of Escovopsis, a specialized parasite of fungus-growing ant gardens. The research reveals that Escovopsis evolved unique genomic repertoires to specialize in the symbiotic relationship between fungus-growing ants and microbes. Genome reduction, particularly in coding regions, was a consistent feature across the genus Escovopsis. Biosynthetic gene clusters contribute to phylogenetic differences among Escovopsis species and their sister taxa.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amy R. Luo, Madeline F. Hassler, Tappey H. Jones, Robert K. Vander Meer, Rachelle M. M. Adams
Summary: Male ants produce tyramides, which play a crucial role in reproductive development. However, the chemistry and ecology of male ants have been understudied. This study identifies new sources of tyramides in different ant species.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Jakovos Demetriou, Christos Georgiadis, Angeliki F. Martinou, Helen E. Roy, James K. Wetterer, Lech Borowiec, Evan P. Economo, Kostas A. Triantis, Sebastian Salata
Summary: This article reviews the alien ant species found on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, which has significant biodiversity. The study highlights the severe consequences of invasive alien ants on native biodiversity and provides information on the species, their geographic origin, and their impact. The research emphasizes the importance of early detection, monitoring, and management efforts to mitigate the negative effects on biodiversity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniela Mera-Rodriguez, Herve Jourdan, Philip S. Ward, Steven Shattuck, Stefan P. Cover, Edward O. Wilson, Christian Rabeling
Summary: Studying the historical biogeography and life history transitions in ants contributes to our understanding of evolutionary mechanisms generating biodiversity in eusocial insects. The ant genus Myrmecia, endemic to Australia, except for one species in New Caledonia, provides a suitable system for testing evolutionary hypotheses. However, the biogeographic distribution of M. apicalis and the evolution of social parasitism within the genus remain unexplored.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Zoology
S. Salata, J. P. L. van Delft, J. J. C. W. van Delft, C. Georgiadis, L. Borowiec
Summary: Tetramorium inquilinum species-group is a parasitic ant group characterized by extreme forms of parasitism. The fifth member of this group, Tetramorium albenae, was discovered in a lowland olive grove and was found to parasitize Tetramorium kephalosi, a new host species. This discovery provides new insights into the habitat preferences and potential host species of the Tetramorium inquilinum species-group.
EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Romain A. Dahan, Nathan K. Grove, Martin Bollazzi, Benjamin P. Gerstner, Christian Rabeling
Summary: Insect societies vary greatly in their social structure, mating biology, and life history. This study focuses on Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants and investigates the independent variations in mating biology and social structure within this genus. The results show that polygyny and polyandry are not necessarily negatively correlated in Acromyrmex species, and variations in mating biology and social structure appear to follow independent evolutionary trajectories in different species.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yuliana Christopher, Celestino Aguilar, Dumas Galvez, William T. Wcislo, Nicole M. Gerardo, Hermogenes Fernandez-Marin
Summary: This study investigated the interactions between different Escovopsis strains in the fungus-growing ant symbiosis system. It found that Escovopsis strains isolated from different ant colonies exhibited varying responses in both intraclonal and interclonal confrontations, showing a clear phylogenetic pattern of interaction outcome for intraclonal interactions. Interclonal interactions were more varied, with less phylogenetic signal.
Review
Entomology
Mathilde Dionisi, Harry Ozier-Lafontaine, Damien Laplace
Summary: Leaf-cutting ants are major pests in the Americas causing global economic losses, with chemical control methods posing risks to human health and the environment. The study evaluates alternative control strategies like biocontrol methods to improve management efficacy and reduce negative impacts on the environment and human health.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Tarcisio Marcos Macedo Mota Filho, Luis Eduardo Pontes Stefanelli, Roberto da Silva Camargo, Carlos Alberto Oliveira de Matos, Luiz Carlos Forti
Summary: The results show that baits containing 10% and 20% of B. bassiana and T. harzianum were not effective, however, spraying suspensions of 20% of B. bassiana and 10% and 20% of T. harzianum resulted in 100% mortality of A. sexdens colonies 11, 9, and 7 days after application, respectively. These findings suggest that B. bassiana and T. harzianum are promising agents for controlling A. sexdens colonies when sprayed on the fungus garden, but there are still challenges in terms of the development of technologies for pathogen application.
Article
Microbiology
A. P. M. Duarte, M. Ferro, A. Rodrigues, M. Bacci, N. S. Nagamoto, L. C. Forti, F. C. Pagnocca
ANTONIE VAN LEEUWENHOEK INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GENERAL AND MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2016)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
C. Palma-Silva, M. Ferro, M. Bacci, A. C. Turchetto-Zolet
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2016)
Article
Entomology
T. B. de Oliveira, M. Ferro, M. Bacci Junior, D. J. de Souza, R. Fontana, J. H. C. Delabie, A. Silva
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lucas A. Meirelles, Quinn S. McFrederick, Andre Rodrigues, Joana D. Mantovani, Cynara de Melo Rodovalho, Henrique Ferreira, Mauricio Bacci, Ulrich G. Mueller
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS
(2016)
Article
Entomology
J. Sosa-Calvo, A. Jesovnik, C. T. Lopes, A. Rodrigues, C. Rabeling, M. Bacci, H. L. Vasconcelos, T. R. Schultz
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ulrich G. Mueller, Heather D. Ishak, Sofia M. Bruschi, Chad C. Smith, Jacob J. Herman, Scott E. Solomon, Alexander S. Mikheyev, Christian Rabeling, Jarrod J. Scott, Michael Cooper, Andre Rodrigues, Adriana Ortiz, Carlos R. F. Brandao, John E. Lattke, Fernando C. Pagnocca, Stephen A. Rehner, Ted R. Schultz, Heraldo L. Vasconcelos, Rachelle M. M. Adams, Martin Bollazzi, Rebecca M. Clark, Anna G. Himler, John S. LaPolla, Inara R. Leal, Robert A. Johnson, Flavio Roces, Jeffrey Sosa-Calvo, Rainer Wirth, Mauricio Bacci
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Lilian A. Lacerda, Lucia B. Cavalca, Paula M. M. Martins, Jose S. Govone, Mauricio Bacci, Henrique Ferreira
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Igor Vinicius Ramos Otero, Milene Ferro, Mauricio Bacci, Henrique Ferreira, Lara Duraes Sette
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ulrich G. Mueller, Melissa R. Kardish, Heather D. Ishak, April M. Wright, Scott E. Solomon, Sofia M. Bruschi, Alexis L. Carlson, Mauricio Bacci
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jeffrey Sosa-Calvo, Ana Jesovnik, Heraldo L. Vasconcelos, Mauricio Bacci, Ted R. Schultz
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mariane U. V. Ronque, Mariana L. Lyra, Gustavo H. Migliorini, Mauricio Bacci, Paulo S. Oliveira
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Corina A. Barrera, Jeffrey Sosa-Calvo, Ted R. Schultz, Christian Rabeling, Mauricio Bacci
Summary: A comprehensive phylogenetic estimate of the ecologically dominant leaf-cutting ant genus Atta was reconstructed using ultraconserved elements (UCEs), revealing its monophyly and four subgenera across the Neotropics. The study also identified the evolutionary history and biogeographic patterns of Atta species.
SYSTEMATIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Renata de Oliveira Aquino Zani, Milene Ferro, Mauricio Bacci Jr
Summary: This study found phylogenetically distinct diazotrophs in leaf-cutting ants, which integrate a symbiotic nutrition network and facilitate ant nutrition on nitrogen. Additionally, the strains identified in South American ants were genetically similar to those found in ants from other regions, indicating a wide geographic dispersion of these microorganisms.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Felipe P. Rocha, Mariane U. Ronque, Mariana L. Lyra, Mauricio Bacci Jr, Paulo S. Oliveira
Summary: This study investigated the bacterial communities of two ant species from different habitats using 16S rRNA gene analysis. The results showed that bacterial communities varied among populations and body parts. Habitat type and species-specific effects were found to shape the bacterial communities in these ant species.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jose Roberto Aparecido dos Santos-Pinto, Franciele Grego Esteves, Fernando J. Sialana, Milene Ferro, Roman Smidak, Lucaciu Calin Rares, Thomas Nussbaumer, Thomas Rattei, Martin Bilban, Mauricio Bacci Junior, Mario Sergio Palma, Gert Luebec