Genetic diversity is positively associated with fine‐scale momentary abundance of an invasive ant

Gruber, Monica A. M.; Hoffmann, Benjamin D.; Ritchie, Peter A.; Lester, Philip J.

doi:10.1002/ece3.313

Cited by 13 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 85 publications

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“…Invasive social insects typically have low mean population genetic diversity as a result of a limited number of invasive propagules (e.g. Corin et al, 2007;Gruber et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determining the origin of invasions and demonstrating a lack of enemy release from microsporidian pathogens in common wasps (Vespula vulgaris)

Lester

Gruber

Brenton-Rule

et al. 2014

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim Understanding the role of enemy release in biological invasions requires an assessment of the invader's home range, the number of invasion events and enemy prevalence. The common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) is a widespread invader. We sought to determine the Eurasian origin of this wasp and examined world‐wide populations for microsporidian pathogen infections to investigate enemy release. Location Argentina, Eurasia, New Zealand. Methods A haplotype network and phylogenetic tree were constructed from combined wasp COI and cytb mitochondrial markers. A morphometric study using canonical discriminant analysis was conducted on wing venation patterns. Microsporidian pathogens prevalence was also examined using small subunit rRNA microsporidia‐specific primers. Results Our spatially structured haplotype network from the native range suggested a longitudinal cline of wasp haplotypes along an east to west gradient. Six haplotypes were detected from New Zealand, and two from Argentina. The populations from the introduced range were genetically similar to the western European, United Kingdom and Ireland. The morphometric analysis showed significant morphological variation between countries and supported the Western European origin for New Zealand populations, although not for Argentine samples. Microsporidian infection rates were highest in New Zealand samples (54%), but no significant differences in infection rates were observed between the invaded and native range. Nosema species included matches to N. apis (a pathogen from honey bees) and N. bombi (from bumble bees). Main conclusions Multiple introductions of the common wasp have occurred in the invaded range. A high microsporidian infection rate within the native range, combined with multiple introductions and a reservoir of pathogens in other social insects such as bees, likely contributes to the high microsporidian infection rates in the invaded range. Enemy release is likely to be more frequent when pathogens are rare in the home range, or are host specific and rare in reservoir populations of the introduced range.

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“…Invasive social insects typically have low mean population genetic diversity as a result of a limited number of invasive propagules (e.g. Corin et al, 2007;Gruber et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determining the origin of invasions and demonstrating a lack of enemy release from microsporidian pathogens in common wasps (Vespula vulgaris)

Lester

Gruber

Brenton-Rule

et al. 2014

Diversity and Distributions

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“…The abundance levels in Samoa were also similar but higher than those found in Arnhem Land, Australia (the only other location where card counts have been used), where card counts rarely exceed 38, and are on average only 17 [23]. Similarly, pupal abundance from Samoa in both sample periods was higher than those from Arnhem Land, Australia (B. Hoffmann, unpublished data).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

Targeted Research to Improve Invasive Species Management: Yellow Crazy Ant Anoplolepis gracilipes in Samoa

2014

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Lack of biological knowledge of invasive species is recognised as a major factor contributing to eradication failure. Management needs to be informed by a site-specific understanding of the invasion system. Here, we describe targeted research designed to inform the potential eradication of the invasive yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes on Nu’utele island, Samoa. First, we assessed the ant’s impacts on invertebrate biodiversity by comparing invertebrate communities between infested and uninfested sites. Second, we investigated the timing of production of sexuals and seasonal variation of worker abundance and nest density. Third, we investigated whether an association existed between A. gracilipes and carbohydrate sources. Within the infested area there were few other ants larger than A. gracilipes, as well as fewer spiders and crabs, indicating that A. gracilipes is indeed a significant conservation concern. The timing of male reproduction appears to be consistent with places elsewhere in the world, but queen reproduction was outside of the known reproductive period for this species in the region, indicating that the timing of treatment regimes used elsewhere are not appropriate for Samoa. Worker abundance and nest density were among the highest recorded in the world, being greater in May than in October. These abundance and nest density data form baselines for quantifying treatment efficacy and set sampling densities for post-treatment assessments. The number of plants and insects capable of providing a carbohydrate supply to ants were greatest where A. gracilipes was present, but it is not clear if this association is causal. Regardless, indirectly controlling ant abundance by controlling carbohydrate supply appears to be promising avenue for research. The type of targeted, site-specific research such as that described here should be an integral part of any eradication program for invasive species to design knowledge-based treatment protocols and determine assessment benchmarks to achieve eradication.

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“…gracilipes is unusual and may involve gynandromorphy and/or a caste determination system [23,29,47]. Additional investigations into the reproductive mode of A. gracilipes are necessary to resolve current uncertainties on worker and queen caste determination as well as the occurrence of gynandromorphs and to determine whether this potentially unusual reproductive mode contributes to the invasive success of A. gracilipes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…gracilipes populations and suggests that female castes are determined by a genetic component for this species [21,23,27,29,47]. A potential caste determination system could be linked to gynandromorphy in males.…”

Section: Size and Genotypes Of Males And Implications For A Gracilipmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Given that heterozygous males (putatively diploid) are apparently common for this species [this study, 23,27,29], we would expect a high prevalence of triploid workers resulting from successful mating between a queen and a diploid male. However, evidence of triploid A. gracilipes individuals has never been reported [21,23,27,29,47]. Heterozygous males may therefore be genetic mosaics with both maternal and paternal cells (i.e.…”

Section: Size and Genotypes Of Males And Implications For A Gracilipmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Origin, Behaviour, and Genetics of Reproductive Workers in an Invasive Ant

Lenancker

Feldhaar

Holzinger

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Worker reproduction has an important influence on the social cohesion and efficiency of social insect colonies, but its role in the success of invasive ants has been neglected. We used observations of 233 captive colonies, laboratory experiments, and genetic analyses to investigate the conditions for worker reproduction in the invasive Anoplolepis gracilipes (yellow crazy ant) and its potential cost on interspecific defence. We determined how common worker production of males is and whether it is triggered by queen absence; whether physogastric workers with enlarged abdomens are more likely to be reproductive, how normal workers and physogastric workers compare in their contributions to colony labour and defence; and whether worker-produced males and males that could have been queen- or worker-produced differ in their size and heterozygosity. Results: Sixty-six of our 233 captive colonies produced males, and in 25 of these, some males could only have been produced by workers. Colonies with more workers were more likely to produce males, especially for queenless colonies. The average number of days between the first appearance of eggs and adult males in our colonies was 54.1± 10.2 (mean ± SD, n=20). In our laboratory experiment, queen removal triggered an increase in the proportion of physogastric workers. Physogastric workers were more likely to have yolky oocytes (37-54.9%) than normal workers (2-25.6%), which is an indicator of fertile or trophic egg production. Physogastric workers were less aggressive during interspecific aggression tests and foraged less than normal workers. The head width and wing length of worker-produced males were on average 4.0% and 4.3% greater respectively than those of males of undetermined source. Our microsatellite DNA analyses indicate that 4.9% of worker-produced males and 21.1% of males of undetermined source were heterozygous, which suggests the presence of diploid males and/or genetic mosaics in A. gracilipes. Conclusions: Our experimental work provides crucial information on worker reproduction in A. gracilipes and its potential cost to colony defence. The ability of A. gracilipes workers to produce males in the absence of queens may also contribute to its success as an invasive species if intranidal mating can take place between virgin queens and worker-produced males.

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Genetic diversity is positively associated with fine‐scale momentary abundance of an invasive ant

Cited by 13 publications

References 85 publications

Determining the origin of invasions and demonstrating a lack of enemy release from microsporidian pathogens in common wasps (Vespula vulgaris)

Determining the origin of invasions and demonstrating a lack of enemy release from microsporidian pathogens in common wasps (Vespula vulgaris)

Targeted Research to Improve Invasive Species Management: Yellow Crazy Ant Anoplolepis gracilipes in Samoa

Origin, Behaviour, and Genetics of Reproductive Workers in an Invasive Ant

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