The Displacement of Native Ant Species by the Introduced Argentine Ant <i>Iridomyrmex Humilis</i> Mayr

Erickson, James M.

doi:10.1155/1971/34713

Cited by 106 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 2 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Supercolonial formation means that in intraspecific encounters, individuals will not waste energy on competitive interactions. However, it is direct interaction and cooperation among conspecifics that determines success in interspecific competition because ecological dominance depends on the competitive displacement of heterospecifics by means of local interactions (Lynch et al, 1980;Andersen, 1992;Morrison, 1996;Sanders and Gordon, 2003), and Argentine ants win competition with native ant colonies through the rapid recruitment of high numbers of workers (Erickson, 1972;Human and Gordon, 1996;Holway, 1999;Holway and Case, 2001;Suarez and Holway, 2004). Very little is known about the factors that determine colony recruitment rates in Argentine ants.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nest connectivity and colony structure in unicolonial Argentine ants

2008

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Unicolonial ant colonies occupy many nests and individuals rarely show aggression across large geographic distances. These traits make it difficult to detect colony structure. Here we identify colony structure at scales of hundreds of square-meters, within an invasive population of unicolonial Argentine ants. In experiments using labeled food, and in a 3-year census of nests and trails, we found that food was shared and nests were linked by trails at distances up to 50 meters. Food was not distributed to all nearby Argentine ant nests, showing that ants tend to share resources within a spatially bounded group of nests. The spatial extent of food sharing increased from winter to summer. Across different habitats and nest densities, nests were consistently aggregated at spatial scales of 3-4 meters in radius. This suggests that new nests bud from old nests at short distances regardless of local conditions. We suggest that a colony of Argentine ants could be defined as a group of nests among which ants travel and share food. In our study population, colonies occupy up to 650 m 2 and contain as many as 5 million ants. In combination with previous work showing that there is genetic differentiation among nests at similar spatial scales, the results suggest that Argentine ant populations do not function ecologically as single, large supercolonies, but instead as mosaics of smaller, distinct colonies consisting of groups of interacting nests.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nest connectivity and colony structure in unicolonial Argentine ants

2008

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In the United States, it was first detected in New Orleans in 1891, and by 1907, was established in California (11), where it is now common in coastal habitats, riparian woodlands, and irrigated urban and agricultural areas (12,13). Once established, the Argentine ant displaces most native ants (12)(13)(14)(15)(16) and detrimentally affects other non-ant arthropods (17). These direct effects reverberate through communities as other taxa are affected indirectly (18,19).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Reduced genetic variation and the success of an invasive species

Tsutsui

Suarez

Holway

et al. 2000

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

743

919

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Despite the severe ecological and economic damage caused by introduced species, factors that allow invaders to become successful often remain elusive. Of invasive taxa, ants are among the most widespread and harmful. Highly invasive ants are often unicolonial, forming supercolonies in which workers and queens mix freely among physically separate nests. By reducing costs associated with territoriality, unicolonial species can attain high worker densities, allowing them to achieve interspecific dominance. Here we examine the behavior and population genetics of the invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) in its native and introduced ranges, and we provide a mechanism to explain its success as an invader. Using microsatellite markers, we show that a population bottleneck has reduced the genetic diversity of introduced populations. This loss is associated with reduced intraspecific aggression among spatially separate nests, and leads to the formation of interspecifically dominant supercolonies. In contrast, native populations are more genetically variable and exhibit pronounced intraspecific aggression. Although reductions in genetic diversity are generally considered detrimental, these findings provide an example of how a genetic bottleneck can lead to widespread ecological success. In addition, these results provide insights into the origin and evolution of unicoloniality, which is often considered a challenge to kin selection theory.

show abstract

“…Both P. megacephala and L. humile are well-known for killing off native invertebrates, particularly ants (Erickson 1971;Human and Gordon 1996;Holway 1999;Wetterer et al 2000Wetterer et al , 2001Wetterer 2002). During their tenure in Bermuda, P. megacephala and L. humile have almost certainly had a devastating impact on native invertebrates.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive ants of Bermuda revisited

Wetterer¹

2017

JHR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

For 60+ years, two of the world's most widespread and destructive invasive ant species, the African bigheaded ant (Pheidole megacephala) from tropical Africa and the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) from subtropical South America, have been engaged in an epic battle on the islands of Bermuda. Both species are completely intolerant of the other and are also well-known for killing off native invertebrates, particularly other ants. Here I surveyed sites across Bermuda in 2016, including resurveys of the locations previously surveyed in 1963, 1966, 1973, 1986, and 2002, to provide an update on this conflict. The status of all other ant species present in the islands, including previous records from literature, is also provided. In addition, I surveyed ants nesting in red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) trees to evaluate whether this arboreal habitat may serve as a refuge for previously overlooked ant species.In 2016, L. humile occurred at most surveyed sites in Bermuda, including all ten resurveyed sites. Pheidole megacephala was present at only two resurveyed sites, a lower proportion of sites than any of the five earlier surveys. Still, P. megacephala occupied substantial areas, particularly in and around Hamilton, the capital of Bermuda. This survey increased the number of ant species with verified records from Bermuda to 25, including four exotic species recorded for the first time: Cardiocondyla minutior, Pheidole navigans, Strumigenys emmae, and Strumigenys membranifera. I found five ant species nesting in mangroves: L. humile plus four Old World exotics, C. minutior, Cardiocondyla obscurior, Monomorium floricola, and Plagiolepis alluaudi.It appears that L. humile may be better suited to the subtropical climate of Bermuda than P. megacephala, except perhaps in warmer and sunnier habitats, such as plantings along urban streets and in open parks, where P. megacephala may hold the advantage. The dataset on the new ant records from 2016 is provided with the paper.

show abstract

The Displacement of Native Ant Species by the Introduced Argentine Ant Iridomyrmex Humilis Mayr

Cited by 106 publications

References 2 publications

Nest connectivity and colony structure in unicolonial Argentine ants

Nest connectivity and colony structure in unicolonial Argentine ants

Reduced genetic variation and the success of an invasive species

Invasive ants of Bermuda revisited

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About