Myrmica ants host highly diverse parasitic communities: from social parasites to microbes

Abstract

Myrmica ants have been model species for studies in a variety of disciplines, including insect physiology, chemical communication, ant social dynamics, ant population, community ecology, and ant interactions with other organisms. Species belonging to the genus Myrmica can be found in virtually every habitat within the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere and their biology and systematics have been thoroughly studied. These ants serve as hosts to highly diverse parasitic organisms from socially parasitic butterfly caterpillars to microbes, and many Myrmica species even evolved into parasitizing species of their own genus. These parasites have various impacts both on the individuals and on the social structure of their hosts, ranging from morphological malformations to reduction in colony fitness. A comprehensive review of the parasitic organisms supported by Myrmica and the effects of these organisms on individuals and on whole ant colonies has not yet been compiled. Here, we provide a review of the interactions of these organisms with Myrmica ants by discussing host and parasite functional, behavioral or physiological adaptations. In addition, for all "symbiont groups" of Myrmica ants described in this paper, we examine the present limitations of the knowledge at present of their impact on individuals and host colony fitness. In conclusion, we argue that Myrmica ants serve as remarkable resource for the evolution of a wide variety of associated organisms.

The effect of Rickia wasmannii (Ascomycota, Laboulbeniales) on the aggression and boldness of Myrmica scabrinodis (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

“…Myrmica ants can be hosts to many parasitic organisms from several taxonomic groups including ecto-and endoparasitic fungi and other microbial pathogens, such as: R. wasmannii; Beauveria bassiana (Bals. (Radchenko and Elmes 2010, Simmons et al 2015, Witek et al 2014). In particular, M. scabrinodis is common in Europe (Czechowski et al 2012, Radchenko and Elmes 2010, Seifert 2007, frequently parasitized by R. wasmannii (Espadaler and Santamaria 2012) and other (social) parasites (Tartally 2008, Witek et al 2014.…”

“…(Radchenko and Elmes 2010, Simmons et al 2015, Witek et al 2014). In particular, M. scabrinodis is common in Europe (Czechowski et al 2012, Radchenko and Elmes 2010, Seifert 2007, frequently parasitized by R. wasmannii (Espadaler and Santamaria 2012) and other (social) parasites (Tartally 2008, Witek et al 2014. Myrmica scabrinodis is a mesothermo-and mesohygrophilic species of different kinds of humid habitats, which is tolerant of soil moisture but avoids expressly xerothermal habitats.…”

Distribution of the myrmecoparasitic fungus Rickia wasmannii (Ascomycota: Laboulbeniales) across colonies, individuals, and body parts of Myrmica scabrinodis

“…Line 175-176: "In the larger region, former studies have shown M. gallienii to be occasionally infected (see Csata et al, 2013), while M. schencki has never been found to be infected (see Witek et al, 2014)." -this is discussion, not results!…”

“…R: Line 246 Explain how the fungus and its interaction with the ant could be of importance for the Maculinea butterflies A:We introduced an explanatory sentence, thus the section is as follows: "Data on the epidemiology of R. wasmannii bears a conservational relevance as well, since its host ant M. scabrinodis also nurses caterpillars of the socially parasitic Maculinea butterflies that are strictly protected all over Europe (see Witek et al, 2014). The reduced lifespan of infected host ants (Csata et al, 2013) might be relevant for the protection of Maculinea, since it could negatively influence the survival rate of parasitic Maculinea caterpillars as well."…”

“…How could moisture influence the infection and sporulation process (or the spread of the fungus within the colony) of the fungus (if moisture is indeed an important factor?) A:We rewrote that entire paragraph referring to habitat mediated host specificity and other studies (De Kesel 1996) that specifically treat this question in other Laboulbeniales species.R: Line 246 Explain how the fungus and its interaction with the ant could be of importance for the Maculinea butterflies A:We introduced an explanatory sentence, thus the section is as follows: "Data on the epidemiology of R. wasmannii bears a conservational relevance as well, since its host ant M. scabrinodis also nurses caterpillars of the socially parasitic Maculinea butterflies that are strictly protected all over Europe (see Witek et al, 2014). The reduced lifespan of infected host ants (Csata et al, 2013) might be relevant for the protection of Maculinea, since it could negatively influence the survival rate of parasitic Maculinea caterpillars as well."…”