Metabolic rates of pitbuilding and non-pitbuilding antlion larvae (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) from southern Africa

Zyl, Amanda Van; Linde, T. C. de K. van der; Grimbeek, R. J.

doi:10.1006/jare.1997.0270

Cited by 15 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…In their natural environment, antlions experience large day/night temperature fluctuations, causing behavioural changes as a response [58]. It is possible that the gradual change in temperature imposed in our experiment was too moderate to evoke behavioural or physiological responses which could minimize energy expenditure and water loss.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Perhaps in a short-term experiment with high temperatures and high relative humidity, M. hyalinus would have performed better than under dry conditions. It is important to note that the antlions’ exposure to high temperature in the lab is different than field conditions - under lab conditions the sand in each antlion’s cup heats up in a relatively uniform fashion, and the antlions can’t escape the high temperature by burrowing deeper into the soil, as is evident in field studies [58], [62]–[64]. Therefore, the exposure to high temperature is more extreme in the laboratory than in the field.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multi-Axis Niche Examination of Ecological Specialization: Responses to Heat, Desiccation and Starvation Stress in Two Species of Pit-Building Antlions

et al. 2012

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Classical ecological studies discussing specialization usually focus on species’ performance along one niche axis. This approach may overlook niche differentiation evident in another dimension which could explain species co-occurrence. The present research exemplifies a comprehensive approach to examining local adaptation. Specifically, we examined multiple niche axes by subjecting a model organism to various experimental conditions to monitor responses to extreme stress associated with heat, desiccation and starvation. Our model system comprised two pit-building antlions: the habitat generalist Myrmeleon hyalinus and the habitat specialist Cueta lineosa. Previous research has shown that the foraging performance of the generalist is better than that of the specialist, even in the latter’s characteristic habitat. We illustrate that this apparent superiority of the habitat generalist does not manifest itself along other niche axes; rather, the habitat specialist holds a set of traits that provide an advantage under harsh environmental conditions. Specifically, C. lineosa has an advantage over M. hyalinus at high temperatures, exhibiting a higher survival rate and improved foraging success (i.e., high-temperature specialist). C. lineosa is also more efficient in its energy budget, losing less mass during starvation and gaining mass more efficiently during feeding. This superior efficiency is a result of physiological adaptations as well as behavioural responses to harsh conditions. In conclusion, our results imply that the habitat specialization of C. lineosa has not led it towards an evolutionary dead-end.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-Axis Niche Examination of Ecological Specialization: Responses to Heat, Desiccation and Starvation Stress in Two Species of Pit-Building Antlions

et al. 2012

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“…This has been observed by several other researchers (e.g. Matsura and Kitching 1993;van Zyl et al 1997), although it is only likely to be a significant factor in exposed positions in hot climates. In contrast, a spider's web (be it an orb-web, funnel web, sheet web or just a small number of threads radiating from a hide) is always able to capture prey, even if the heat of the day causes the spider to retreat to a cooler microclimate nearby.…”

mentioning

confidence: 54%

“…Thus, pit building can both increase the intake rate of the larvae and decrease the interval between meals. Pit-building antlion larvae have very low metabolic rates, estimated to be 10-20% that predicted for ectotherms their size (Lucas 1985;van Zyl et al 1997). Antlion traps may be relatively inexpensive to build.…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%

Why are pitfall traps so rare in the natural world?

Ruxton

Hansell

2007

Evol Ecol

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Prey capture by trapping is uncommon taxonomically, and generally requires highly evolved cognitive powers (humans) or specialist self-secreted materials (for example, spiders and caddisfly larvae). The most notable exception to this is the conical traps dug by antlion larvae. The relative uncommonness (taxonomically and ecologically) of such pitfall traps has been described as an unexplained mystery in recent publications. Here we suggest some potential routes that might lead to resolution to this mystery. We argue that although such pitfall traps have numerous benefits and are relatively cheap and easy to construct, they may suffer two significant disadvantages relative to, for example, spiders' webs. First, pitfall traps may require a quite specialist microhabitat. Second, antlion pitfall traps may only work to retain all but the smallest prey if the antlion is present at the bottom of the pit. Thus, antlion may be more functionally tied to their trap than spiders and (since traps are much more visually conspicuous than their owners) this may make them vulnerable to predators and parasitoids that cue on the traps. Both these hypothesised drawbacks are speculative in the absence of a strong body of data and so we discuss how both potential costs could be explored empirically.

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“…Temperature has a crucial role in insect muscle function and ant‐lion metabolic rates (Lucas, '85; Stevenson and Josephson, '90; Van Zyl et al, '97). In our experimental environment, M .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modulation in the feeding prey capture of the ant‐lion, Myrmeleon crudelis

Lambert¹,

Motta²,

Lowry³

2011

J. Exp. Zool.

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Ant-lions are pit-building larvae (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae), which possess relatively large mandibles used for catching and consuming prey. Few studies involving terrestrial arthropod larva have investigated prey capture behavior and kinematics and no study has shown modulation of strike kinematics. We examined feeding kinematics of the ant-lion, Myrmeleon crudelis, using high-speed video to investigate whether larvae modulate strike behavior based on prey location relative to the mandible. Based on seven capture events from five M. crudelis, the strike took 17.60 ± 2.92 msec and was characterized by near-simultaneous contact of both mandibles with the prey. Modulation of the angular velocity of the mandibles based on prey location was clearly demonstrated. M. crudelis larvae attempted to simultaneously contact prey with both mandibles by increasing mean angular velocity of the far mandible (65 ± 21 rad sec(-1) ) compared with the near mandible (35 ± 14 rad sec(-1) ). Furthermore, kinematic results showed a significant difference for mean angular velocity between the two mandibles (P<0.005). Given the lengthy strike duration compared with other fast-striking arthropods, these data suggest that there is a tradeoff between the ability to modulate strike behavior for accurate simultaneous mandible contact and the overall velocity of the strike. The ability to modulate prey capture behavior may increase dietary breadth and capture success rate in these predatory larvae by allowing responsive adjustment to small-scale variations in prey size, presentation, and escape response.

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Metabolic rates of pitbuilding and non-pitbuilding antlion larvae (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) from southern Africa

Cited by 15 publications

References 12 publications

Multi-Axis Niche Examination of Ecological Specialization: Responses to Heat, Desiccation and Starvation Stress in Two Species of Pit-Building Antlions

Multi-Axis Niche Examination of Ecological Specialization: Responses to Heat, Desiccation and Starvation Stress in Two Species of Pit-Building Antlions

Why are pitfall traps so rare in the natural world?

Modulation in the feeding prey capture of the ant‐lion, Myrmeleon crudelis

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