Peace in ground beetle larvae: non-aggressive outcome in<i>Chlaenius</i>spp. larvae interactions

Brandmayr, Tullia Zetto; Bonacci, Teresa; Massolo, Alessandro; Brandmayr, Pietro

doi:10.1080/08927014.2004.9522626

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The size of beetle larvae fits an amphibian prey model, making the Epomis larva a suitable prey. Epomis belongs to the Chlaeniini tribe within the ground beetles, whose larvae are typical surface runners [26] and their movements provoke amphibian predation. We found remains of Chlaeniini larvae related to Epomis in amphibian feces that can serve as evidence for such predation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Unprecedented Role Reversal: Ground Beetle Larvae (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Lure Amphibians and Prey upon Them

Wizen

Gasith

2011

PLoS ONE

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Amphibians often feed on beetle larvae, including those of ground beetles (Carabidae). Preliminary reports have detailed an unusual trophic interaction in which, in contrast, larvae of the ground beetle Epomis prey upon juvenile and adult amphibians. While it is known that these larvae feed exclusively on amphibians, how the predator-prey encounter occurs to the advantage of the beetle larvae had been unknown to date. Using laboratory observations and controlled experiments, we recorded the feeding behavior of Epomis larvae, as well as the behavior of their amphibian prey. Here we reveal that larvae of two species of Epomis (E. circumscriptus and E. dejeani) lure their potential predator, taking advantage of the amphibian's predation behavior. The Epomis larva combines a sit-and-wait strategy with unique movements of its antennae and mandibles to draw the attention of the amphibian to the presence of a potential prey. The intensity of this enticement increases with decreasing distance between the larva and the amphibian. When the amphibian attacks, the larva almost always manages to avoid the predator's protracted tongue, exploiting the opportunity to attach itself to the amphibian's body and initiate feeding. Our findings suggest that the trophic interaction between Epomis larvae and amphibians is one of the only natural cases of obligatory predator-prey role reversal. Moreover, this interaction involves a small insect larva that successfully lures and preys on a larger vertebrate. Such role reversal is exceptional in the animal world, extending our perspective of co-evolution in the arms race between predator and prey, and suggesting that counterattack defense behavior has evolved into predator-prey role reversal.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Unprecedented Role Reversal: Ground Beetle Larvae (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Lure Amphibians and Prey upon Them

Wizen

Gasith

2011

PLoS ONE

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“…Moreover, seasonal and life-history fluctuations strongly affect observed abundances and distributions ( Thiele 1977 ; Lindroth 1985 , 1986; Lövei and Sunderland 1996 ). Of largely unknown − though often suggested − importance are intra- and interspecific interactions, of which competition has usually had minor effects ( Loreau 1990 ; Niemelä and Spence 1991 ; Niemelä 1993a ; Currie et al 1996 ; Zetto Brandmayr et al 2004 ).…”

Section: Carabids As Model Organismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Useful model organisms, indicators, or both? Ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) reflecting environmental conditions

Koivula¹

2011

274

149

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Classic studies have successfully linked single-species abundances, life-history traits, assemblage structures and biomass of carabid beetles to past and present, human-caused environmental impacts and variation in ‘natural’ conditions. This evidence has led many to suggest carabids to function as ‘indicators’ − a term that bears multiple meanings. Here, a conservation-oriented definition for an indicator is used, carabid indicator potential from seven views is evaluated, and ways to proceed in indicator research are discussed. (1) Carabid species richness poorly indicates the richness and abundance of other taxa, which underlines the importance of using multiple taxa in environmental assessments. The ability of assemblage indices and specialist or functional-group abundances to reflect rare species and habitats should be examined in detail. (2) Experimental evidence suggests that carabids may potentially serve as keystone indicators. (3) Carabids are sensitive to human-altered abiotic conditions, such as pesticide use in agro-ecosystems and heavy metal contamination of soils. Carabids might thus reflect ecological sustainability and ‘ecosystem health’. (4) Carabid assemblages host abundant species characteristic of particular habitat types or successional stages, which makes them promising dominance indicators. (5) Carabids reflect variation in ‘natural’ conditions, but vegetation and structural features are more commonly adopted as condition indicators. Carabids nevertheless provide yet another, equally accurate, view on the structure of the environment. (6) Carabids may function as early-warning signalers, as suggested by recent studies linking climate and carabid distributions. (7) Carabids reflect natural and human-caused disturbances and management, but the usefulness of these responses for conservation purposes requires further research. In summary, European carabids appear useful model organisms and possibly indicators because they are diverse, taxonomically and ecologically well-known, efficiently reflect biotic and abiotic conditions, are relevant at multiple spatial scales, and are easy to collect in sufficiently large numbers to allow statistical analyses. The assumption that carabid responses would reflect rare environmental conditions or the responses of rare and threatened species ‒ crucial information for conservationists and managers ‒ has not yet been critically evaluated. Even if it holds, the usefulness will be context dependent: species and their populations vary, conditions vary, questions put forward vary, and assessment goals vary.

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“…Also the urogomphi, which are particularly long and flexible, are probably used in searching for food. For most larval carabid beetles with long cerci, a life style as 'surface runners' has been proposed (Zetto Brandmayr et al 1998b); these cerci are normally used as tactile/chemical sense organs with moderate mobility, but may evolve towards more complex adaptive functions by being oscillated intensely upwards to be aposematic against predators, as in the genera Colliuris and Calybe (Adis et al 1997); or else they are used as a mechanism to lower intraspecific aggressiveness, as in some species of Chlaenius (sensu lato) (Zetto Brandmayr et al 2004). This larva likely transferred its activity to a deeper level, where it still acts as a 'runner' exploiting the existent network of crevices.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The larva ofSiagona europaeaDejean, 1826: Morphology and collecting technique for a subterranean blind ‘running ant killer’ (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Brandmayr

Mazzei

Talarico

et al. 2007

Italian Journal of Zoology

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The larva of Siagona europaea Dejean, 1826 collected in the field with a new type of trap, the bait trap, is described. As an adult, this is a myrmecophagous beetle; however, until 2003, in ten years of research no larvae had been found in the field when excavating deep holes around Messor nests in clay soils, in which to place the usually employed pit fall traps. Therefore, a new type of trap was adopted, i.e. a subterranean trap positioned where the main soil crevices intersect. One larva of second instar and one of third one were studied. Most larval features are atypical of carabid beetle larvae and, in particular, the form and structure of the head appendages and the form and insertion of the urogomphi are of interest. Moreover, the larva of S. europaea is completely blind, no trace of stemmata being present in either instar. Its morphology, as well as the recording of its behaviour in the lab, point to it being a 'runner', exploring the subterranean crack system of clay vertisols.

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Peace in ground beetle larvae: non-aggressive outcome inChlaeniusspp. larvae interactions

Cited by 9 publications

References 36 publications

An Unprecedented Role Reversal: Ground Beetle Larvae (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Lure Amphibians and Prey upon Them

An Unprecedented Role Reversal: Ground Beetle Larvae (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Lure Amphibians and Prey upon Them

Useful model organisms, indicators, or both? Ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) reflecting environmental conditions

The larva ofSiagona europaeaDejean, 1826: Morphology and collecting technique for a subterranean blind ‘running ant killer’ (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

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