A proactive–reactive syndrome affects group success in an ant species

Blight, Olivier; Díaz-Mariblanca, Gisela Albet; Cerdá, Xím; Boulay, Raphaël

doi:10.1093/beheco/arv127

Cited by 51 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…Knowledge of the fitness consequences of trait variation allows researchers to characterize the type (e.g., directional, stabilizing, or disruptive) and strength of natural selection acting on a trait (Lande & Arnold 1983;Arnold & Wade 1984;Janzen & Stern 1998;Morrissey & Sakrejda 2013). Many studies have estimated the fitness consequences of individual-level behavioral variation (reviewed by Smith & Blumstein 2008), but the consequences of group-level variation have received relatively little attention (but see Wray et al 2011;Modlmeier et al 2012;Blight et al 2016a;Blight et al 2016b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ant collective behavior is heritable and shaped by selection

Walsh

Garnier

Linksvayer

2019

Preprint

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11Collective behaviors are widespread in nature and usually assumed to be strongly shaped 12 by natural selection. However, the degree to which variation in collective behavior is heritable 13 and has fitness consequences --the two prerequisites for evolution by natural selection --is 14 largely unknown. We used a new pharaoh ant (Monomorium pharaonis) mapping population to 15 estimate the heritability, genetic correlations, and fitness consequences of three collective 16 behaviors (foraging, aggression, and exploration) as well as body size, sex ratio, and caste ratio. 17Heritability estimates for the collective behaviors were moderate, ranging from 0.17 to 0.32, but 18 lower than our estimates for the heritability of caste ratio, sex ratio, and the body size of new 19 workers, queens, and males. Moreover, variation among colonies in collective behaviors was 20 phenotypically correlated, suggesting that selection may shape multiple colony collective 21 behaviors simultaneously. Finally, we found evidence for directional selection that was similar in 22 strength to estimates of selection in natural populations. Altogether, our study begins to elucidate 23 the genetic architecture of collective behavior and is one of the first studies to demonstrate that it 24 is shaped by selection. 25

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ant collective behavior is heritable and shaped by selection

Walsh

Garnier

Linksvayer

2019

Preprint

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“…In fact, the more active ants are, the less able they are in acquiring conditioning [12].During the present work, some colonies were more able to perform some tasks than others. In other words, differences between colonies may exist [15]. Concerning our study of the effects of substances, individual and/or ethnic differences may also exist.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physiological and ethological effects of an extract of four plants used as an anxiolytic: A study on ants as models.

Cammaerts¹

2016

Adv Biomed Pharma

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Working on ants as models, the most consumed anxiolytic, alprazolam, has been shown to have adverse effects. We presumed that plant extracts might be a safe alternative. A product made of an extract of Valeriana officinalis L., Humulus lupulus L., Passiflora incarnata L., and Ballota nigra L., easily available in any drugstore, was tested in the same way alprazolam had been. Contrary to alprazolam, this product did not significantly alter the ants" brood caring, cognition, behaviour in front of nestmates, tactile perception, learning and memory. It efficiently calmed the ants which often rested but not fully slept, avoided risky tasks and quietly reacted in a stressing situation. Adaptation occurred for the few adverse effects of this product (large sinuosity of movement, what had an effect on some behaviour).No habituation occurred as for its calming effect and it did not lead to dependence contrary to alprazolam. After its consumption ends, the calming effect of the plant extract slowly vanishes in 29 hours, step by step. In conclusion, this extract appears to be a safe product for reducing anxiousness and should be used preferentially to synthetized compounds which are known to have severe adverse effects.Keywords: aggressiveness, cognition, locomotion, memory, sleepiness. IntroductionThe most consumed potions in the world are antidepressants, anxiolytics, antibiotics and hormones. Drugs of the two first categories may impact patients" behaviour, nervous system functioning and general activity. Usingants as biological models, we examined the effects of antidepressants (e.g. Why using ants as biological models?Most biological processes are similar for all animals, including humans (i.e. genetics, metabolism, nervous cells functioning). Consequently, a lot of invertebrates and vertebrates are used as models for studying biological processes [3]. Invertebrates are more and more used due to their short life cycle, simple anatomy, and availability in large numbers [4]. Some species are largely used, for instance, the flatworm Dendrocelium lacteum, the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans, the mollusk Aplysia californica, the beetle Tribolium castaneum, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, and the domestic bee Apis mellifera. Among invertebrates, insects, especially social hymenoptera and among them, bees, are advantageously used as models [5], but ants too can be used. Ants are among the most complex social invertebrates as for their morphology, physiology, social organization and behaviour. They are among the most morphologically evolved hymenoptera, having a unique resting position of their labium, mandibles and maxilla [6], as well as a lot of glands emitting numerous efficient pheromones [7]. Their societies are highly organized with a strong division of labor, an age-based polyethism and a social regulation [8]. Their behaviour is well developed: they care for their brood, build sophisticated nests, chemically mark the inside of their nest, their nest entrances, nest surroundings and foraging area ...

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“…Similarly, the composition of behavioural types within a group influences the outcome of collective decision making. This can influence a group's choice of where to forage (Michelena et al ), foraging methods (Keiser and Pruitt ), foraging success (Kurvers et al , Blight et al ), as well as collective defence behaviours (Modlmeier et al ). Temperament traits in predators appear to be a major source of intraspecific variability influencing predator– prey interactions, and changes to the composition of behavioural types in populations is a potential mechanism through which group foraging can adapt to change.…”

Section: The Biodiversity Paradoxmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weaving animal temperament into food webs: implications for biodiversity

Moran¹,

Wong²,

Thompson

2017

Oikos

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Recent studies into community level dynamics are revealing processes and patterns that underpin the biodiversity and complexity of natural ecosystems. Theoretical food webs have suggested that species-rich and highly complex communities are inherently unstable, but incorporating certain characteristics of empirical communities, such as allometric body size scaling and non-random interaction distributions, have been shown to enhance stability and facilitate species coexistence. Incorporating individual level traits and variability into food web theory is seen as a future pathway for this research and our growing knowledge of individual behaviours, in the form of temperament (or personality) traits, can inform the direction of this research. Temperament traits are consistent differences in behaviour between individuals, which are repeatable across time and/or across ecological contexts, such as aggressive or boldness behaviours that commonly differ between individuals of the same species. These traits, under the framework of behavioural reaction norms, show both individual consistency as well as contextual and phenotypic plasticity. This is likely to contribute significantly to the effects of individual trait variability and adaptive trophic behaviour on the structure and dynamics of food webs, which are apparently stabilizing. Exploring the role of temperament in the context of community ecology is a unique opportunity for cross-pollination between ecological fields, and can provide new insights into community stability and biodiversity. C h o i c e E d i t o r ' s OIKOSThe factors that underpin the stability of biodiverse communities in natural ecosystems remain unresolved, as do the mechanisms that support the development and maintenance of animal personalities. This paper uniquely explores both issues by synthesising the apparently disparate fields of community ecology and animal personality. By reviewing recent studies that show how personality traits are closely linked to food-web interactions, we show how intraspecific behavioural variability may be an important factor for the stability of communities. This work underscores the importance of considering the broader implications of within-species trait variability across ecology, particularly personality traits. Synthesis

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A proactive–reactive syndrome affects group success in an ant species

Cited by 51 publications

References 67 publications

Ant collective behavior is heritable and shaped by selection

Ant collective behavior is heritable and shaped by selection

Physiological and ethological effects of an extract of four plants used as an anxiolytic: A study on ants as models.

Weaving animal temperament into food webs: implications for biodiversity

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