No Morphometric Distinction between the Host Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Silvestri) (Isoptera: Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) and its Obligatory Termitophile Corotoca melantho Schiødte (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

Cunha, Hélida Ferreira da; Lima, Juliana Soares; Souza, Ludmylla Ferreira de; Santos, Luana Gabriela Alves dos; Nabout, João Carlos

doi:10.13102/sociobiology.v62i1.65-69

Cited by 22 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…In order to resume a termitophilic life, newly emerged adults of C. melantho would merely use their scent-following ability (Castiblanco-Quiroga et al, 2017) to locate a termitarium via its inbound foraging trails. This hypothetical reproductive strategy seems to be in line with the fact that such beetles never attain large populations within termitaria, being found at a rate of one beetle to 500 termite workers (Cunha et al, 2015). This hypothetical reproductive strategy seems to be in line with the fact that such beetles never attain large populations within termitaria, being found at a rate of one beetle to 500 termite workers (Cunha et al, 2015).…”

Section: Ontogenymentioning

confidence: 54%

“…Such contacts are thought to be facilitated by the abdominal hypertrophy ('physogastry') typical of Corotocini, present in other termitophilous groups, and absent in non-termitophilous Aleocharinae (Seevers, 1957). 1 in Cunha et al, 2015). 1 in Cunha et al, 2015).…”

Section: The Termite Host and Its Termitophilementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Corotoca melantho populations may attain the proportion one beetle per 500 termite workers in a given C. cyphergaster nest (Cunha et al, 2015). Under natural conditions, C. melantho individuals are reported to live in close and non-aggressive contact with their termite host (Cunha et al, 2015), engaging in interspecific mouth-to-mouth contacts suggestive of trophallactic exchanges (Seevers, 1957;Rosa et al, 2018). Such contacts are thought to be facilitated by the abdominal hypertrophy ('physogastry') typical of Corotocini, present in other termitophilous groups, and absent in non-termitophilous Aleocharinae (Seevers, 1957).…”

Section: The Termite Host and Its Termitophilementioning

confidence: 99%

“…E-mail: og.souza@ufv.br Invading a termite nest presents challenges, and termitophiles adopt a wide variety of strategies to gain entry. Of all termitophile staphylinids presenting a hypertrophic ('physogastric') abdomen, C. melantho is, arguably, one of the most remarkable species as a result of its morphological congruence with the workers of its obligate termite hosts (Cunha et al, 2015). Of all termitophile staphylinids presenting a hypertrophic ('physogastric') abdomen, C. melantho is, arguably, one of the most remarkable species as a result of its morphological congruence with the workers of its obligate termite hosts (Cunha et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Striking integrating strategies can be found in Coleoptera: Staphylinidae (Seevers, 1957;Kistner, 1982;Howard et al, 1982) and, among these beetles, Corotoca melantho Shiødte, 1853 (Aleocharinae: Corotocini) stands out as a prime example. Of all termitophile staphylinids presenting a hypertrophic ('physogastric') abdomen, C. melantho is, arguably, one of the most remarkable species as a result of its morphological congruence with the workers of its obligate termite hosts (Cunha et al, 2015). On top of that, C. melantho individuals also share cuticular hydrocarbons with their host (Rosa et al, 2018), extending to chemical traits the host-guest similarity already achieved through shape congruence.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Termitariophily: expanding the concept of termitophily in a physogastric rove beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

Pisno

Salazar

Lino‐Neto

et al. 2018

Ecological Entomology

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1. Termitophily in some rove beetles is commonly attributed to the striking termite worker resemblance that is provided by the beetles' hypertrophic ('physogastric') abdomen. However, a termite nest may offer to a termitophile additional benefits, such as a continuously repaired shelter.2. This could apply to Corotoca melantho (Aleocharinae: Corotocini), a viviparous obligatory termitophile staphylinid beetle species. While conferring morphological congruence to its host worker termites, its physogastry may impair mobility, leading to vulnerability and the need for a secure environment. It seems plausible to hypothesise that physogastry in C. melantho would imply in interactions between this termitophile and its host termites as well as its host termitarium.3. This study provides evidence to build such a hypothesis by inspecting the morpho-anatomical reproductive traits of this termitophile. It was found that a gradient of growth stages of embryos and larvae in the oviduct explains physogastry in females while pointing to iteroparity. The asynchronous development of oocytes in females, combined with a full developing sequence of sperm cells indicative of continuous spermatogenesis in males, suggests frequent matings.4. While improving guest-host similarity, physogastry and flightlessness should confer vulnerability to pregnant females, forcing C. melantho to seek close and sheltered environments. These could facilitate the frequent male-female contacts demanded by iteroparity. It is possible, therefore, that physogastry in C. melantho is not only associated with the termites themselves but also with the physical structure of the termitarium. Thus, C. melantho can be hypothesised to be a termitariophile in addition to being a termitophile.

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Section: Ontogenymentioning

confidence: 54%