Flight energetics and dispersal capability of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren

Vogt, James T.; Appel, Arthur G.; West, Mark

doi:10.1016/s0022-1910(99)00158-4

Cited by 58 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Flight distance estimations for ant species are very scarce and variable, e.g., ranging between 2 and 10 km in fire ants (Markin et al 1971;Vogt et al 2000). Although direct estimates of male flight distance in army ants are lacking, indirect approximations based on the distance between reproductive colonies lead Schneirla (1971, p. 254) to estimate a minimal flight distance of 300 m. Our results support Schneirla's observations with genetic data.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Gene flow is maintained by polyandry and male dispersal in the army antEciton burchellii

2009

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The combination of haplodiploidy, complementary sex determination and eusociality constrains the effective population size (N e ) of social Hymenoptera far more than in any other insect group. Additional limitations on N e occur in army ants since they have wingless queens and colony fission, both of which are factors causing restricted maternal gene flow and high population viscosity. Therefore, winged army ant males gain a particular significance to ensure dispersal, facilitate gene flow and avoid inbreeding. Based on population genetic analyses with microsatellite markers, we studied a population of the Neotropical army ant Eciton burchellii, finding a high level of heterozygosity, weak population differentiation and no evidence for inbreeding. Moreover, by using sibship reconstruction analyses, we quantified the actual number of male contributing colonies represented in a queen's mate sample, demonstrating that, through extreme multiple mating, the queens are able to sample the genes of males from up to ten different colonies, usually located within an approximate radius of 1 km. We finally correlated the individual mating success of each male contributing colony with the relative siring success of individual males and found a significant colony-dependent male fitness component. Our results imply that the dispersal and mating system of these army ants seem to enhance gene flow and minimise the deleterious effects associated with small effective population size.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Gene flow is maintained by polyandry and male dispersal in the army antEciton burchellii

2009

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“…As for the carbohydrates, the higher levels of glycerolipids (storage lipids) and diacylglycerides (the major form of fat mobilisation in insect haemolymph (Arrese and Soulages, 2010) and one of the primary energy sources for insect flight (Vogt et al, 2000;Harrison and Fewell, 2002) of 7-day old honey-fed wasps suggest that these contestants could have greater available energy and thus higher RHPs than their starved opponents. However, starved wasps could potentially place a greater value (V) on winning possession of the contested host than would honey-fed wasps, Summary of non-polar biomarkers with tentative identities that significantly differ between 7-day old honey-fed and starved wasp extracts.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, it has already been shown for the congener Goniozus nephantidis that, as adult wasps aged, the egg loads of honey-fed females rose higher and declined later than those of starved females . Provision of such a diet could also conceivably aid parasitoid dispersion, as two of the three main circulating metabolites used during flight (trehalose and lipids) were found to be elevated in wasps that had consumed a honey diet (Beenakkers et al, 1984;Vogt et al, 2000;Harrison and Fewell, 2002). As such it is plausible that a parasitoid with access to a carbohydrate rich diet could exploit a larger field range in search of potential host larvae, and additionally achieve greater exploitation through decreased egg resorption.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustenance and Performance: Nutritional Reserves, Longevity, and Contest Outcomes of Fed and Starved Adult Parasitoid Wasps

et al. 2018

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Dyadic contests for possession of resources occur across a wide range of animal taxa, with contest outcome often being heavily influenced by the energetic reserves of the competitors. The majority of studied parasitoid wasps lack de novo lipogenesis, with adult lipid reserves being limited to those acquired throughout larval development. Carbohydrate-and lipid-rich diets can increase adult parasitoid lifespan and fecundity by potentially acting as a maintenance energy store. However, the effects of such diets on fat reserve compositions and contest outcome have not been examined. This study assesses the effects of a carbohydrate rich diet (honey) on the longevity, metabolic state and contest performance of Goniozus legneri, a bethylid wasp. The longevity of honey-fed adults was typically more than twice that of starved wasps. Compared to similarly-aged starved wasps, honey feeding increased concentrations of common haemolymph sugars and amino acids in 3-day old and 7-day old wasps, and higher concentrations of stored lipid in 7-day old wasps. However, nutritional status did not affect the outcome of dyadic contests over host possession when both contestants were either 3 days or 7 days old. While contest outcome may be unaffected by diet, it remains possible that an enhancing effect of feeding on contest ability is matched by an effect of higher value being placed on winning by starved wasps.

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“…Similar to most other ant species, the dispersal distances of the ants are unknown, like for most other ant species. However, as flying is energetically costly, winged sexuals are rarely expected to disperse more than a few kilometres away from their natal colony (Vogt et al, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimation of dispersal distances of the obligately plant‐associated ant Crematogaster decamera

Türke¹,

Fiala²,

Linsenmair³

et al. 2010

Ecological Entomology

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Abstract. 1. In obligate symbioses with horizontal transmission, the population dynamics of the partner organisms are highly interdependent. Host population size limits symbiont number, and distribution of partners is restricted by the presence and thus dispersal abilities of their respective partner. The Crematogaster decamera -Macaranga hypoleuca ant-plant symbiosis is obligate for both partners. Host survival depends on colonisation by its ant partner while foundress queens require hosts for colony establishment.2. An experimental approach and population genetic analyses were combined to estimate dispersal distances of foundresses in their natural habitat in a Bornean primary rainforest.3. Colonisation frequency was significantly negatively correlated with distance to potential reproductive colonies. Results were similar for seedlings at natural densities as well as for seedlings brought out in the area experimentally. Population genetic analysis revealed significant population differentiation with an F ST of 0.041 among foundresses (n = 157) located at maximum 2280 m apart. In genetic spatial autocorrelation, genotypes of foundresses were significantly more similar than expected at random below 550 m and less similar above 620 m. Direct estimation of dispersal distances by pedigree analysis yielded an average dispersal distance of 468 m (maximum 1103 m).4. For ants that disperse on the wing, genetic differentiation at such small spatial scales is unusual. The specific nesting requirements of the queens and the necessity for queens to find a host quickly could lead to colonisation of the first suitable seedling encountered, promoting short dispersal distances. Nonetheless, dispersal distances of C. decamera queens may vary with habitat or host spatial distribution.

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Flight energetics and dispersal capability of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren

Cited by 58 publications

References 20 publications

Gene flow is maintained by polyandry and male dispersal in the army antEciton burchellii

Gene flow is maintained by polyandry and male dispersal in the army antEciton burchellii

Sustenance and Performance: Nutritional Reserves, Longevity, and Contest Outcomes of Fed and Starved Adult Parasitoid Wasps

Estimation of dispersal distances of the obligately plant‐associated ant Crematogaster decamera

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