A field demonstration of the costs and benefits of group living to edible and defended prey

Curley, E.A.M.; Rowley, Hannah E.; Speed, Michael P.

doi:10.1098/rsbl.2015.0152

Cited by 18 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…In the Argidae and Pergidae, none of the tests of phylogenetic correlation remained significant after statistical correction, with only uncorrected results indicating gregariousness and two specific morphological traits to be associated with appearance. The emergence of each of the traits appearance and gregariousness requires a (chemical) defense 78 , a prerequisite fulfilled in most representatives of the two families. The widespread occurrence of original and potent peptides may have allowed these sawflies to adjust the ecological traits of conspicuousness and gregariousness in response to specific ecological conditions, and more in terms of predator–prey than insect–plant relationships.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Endogenous toxins and the coupling of gregariousness to conspicuousness in Argidae and Pergidae sawflies

Boevé

Nyman

Shinohara

et al. 2018

Sci Rep

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Phytophagous insects tend to be either cryptic and solitary, or brightly colored and gregarious, as a defense against vertebrate predators. Here, we tested whether potent defensive chemicals produced de novo by larvae of Argidae and Pergidae sawflies have influenced the evolutionary relationship between larval appearance and levels of gregariousness. Phylogeny-based correlation analyses indicated only a weak trend for solitary species to be cryptic, and for gregarious ones to be conspicuous. Numerous Argidae were cryptic–solitary or conspicuous–gregarious, whereas most Pergidae were conspicuous–gregarious. Both families also included not truly gregarious but aggregated species, i.e. with individuals more evenly distributed on the host plant. By considering two specific morphological traits, predominant body coloration and contrasting spots on body, each one was (weakly) associated with appearance but none with gregariousness, which reflects the functional relevance of appearance as a whole. Furthermore, Argidae can display alternate appearances during successive larval instars. Finally, an independent contrasts test showed no obvious correlation between two major toxic peptides. Our results point towards diversely combined patterns of linked ecological traits in these insects. By assuming that warning coloration is more warranted against vertebrate than invertebrate predators, we suggest that the occurrence itself of toxins allowed this diversity via differing predator guilds and environmental factors, to which these insects were confronted during evolution.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Endogenous toxins and the coupling of gregariousness to conspicuousness in Argidae and Pergidae sawflies

Boevé

Nyman

Shinohara

et al. 2018

Sci Rep

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“…The high consistency in Loripes intake between birds within years favours the first explanation. Differences in toxic load may relate to the mixotrophic life style of Loripes [ 32 ] and potentially has effects on the spatial distribution and population dynamics of Loripes , by influencing predation risk [ 33 , 34 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Digestive Capacity on the Intake Rate of Toxic and Non-Toxic Prey in an Ecological Context

et al. 2015

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Digestive capacity often limits food intake rate in animals. Many species can flexibly adjust digestive organ mass, enabling them to increase intake rate in times of increased energy requirement and/or scarcity of high-quality prey. However, some prey species are defended by secondary compounds, thereby forcing a toxin limitation on the forager’s intake rate, a constraint that potentially cannot be alleviated by enlarging digestive capacity. Hence, physiological flexibility may have a differential effect on intake of different prey types, and consequently on dietary preferences. We tested this effect in red knots (Calidris canutus canutus), medium-sized migratory shorebirds that feed on hard-shelled, usually mollusc, prey. Because they ingest their prey whole and crush the shell in their gizzard, the intake rate of red knots is generally constrained by digestive capacity. However, one of their main prey, the bivalve Loripes lucinalis, imposes a toxin constraint due to its symbiosis with sulphide-oxidizing bacteria. We manipulated gizzard sizes of red knots through prolonged exposure to hard-shelled or soft foods. We then measured maximum intake rates of toxic Loripes versus a non-toxic bivalve, Dosinia isocardia. We found that intake of Dosinia exponentially increased with gizzard mass, confirming earlier results with non-toxic prey, whereas intake of Loripes was independent of gizzard mass. Using linear programming, we show that this leads to markedly different expected diet preferences in red knots that try to maximize energy intake rate with a small versus a large gizzard. Intra- and inter-individual variation in digestive capacity is found in many animal species. Hence, the here proposed functional link with individual differences in foraging decisions may be general. We emphasize the potential relevance of individual variation in physiology when studying trophic interactions.

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“…While documented in the literature for a half-century (referred to as starclusters, pinwheels or stellate arrangements) their function remains unknown , Manton 1961. These self-assembled formations may be a result of merely gathering around a common feeding site, or they may have another role, such as aiding in physical defense through aggregation (Dury et al 2014, Curley et al 2015 and/or concentrating millipede defensive compounds (Wood et al 2000;). Another possibility is adults facilitate cooperative feeding that may benefit juveniles and hatchlings, who have smaller mouthparts.…”

Section: Millipede Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity and function of fungi associated with the fungivorous millipede, Brachycybe lecontii

et al. 2019

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Brachycybe (Wood) is a genus of fungivorous millipedes. To date, the fungal associates of these millipedes have never been characterized. In an attempt to resolve these relationships, culture-based approaches combined with DNA barcode sequencing were used. Sampling of 313 individuals collected from three of four B. lecontii clades and 20 sites across seven states uncovered at least 183 genera in 40 orders from four fungal phyla. At least seven putative new species were recovered in this study, despite the use of more classical culture-based approaches. Three of these fungi were phylogenetically resolved using ITS + LSU and include two new species, aff. Fonsecaea sp., Mortierella aff. ambigua, and a new genus related to Apophysomyces. Overall, the results of this study highlight the vast amount of undescribed fungal biodiversity associated with millipedes. Twelve fungal genera from nine orders showed high connectivity across the entire B. lecontii-associated fungal network, indicating a central role for these fungi in their association with these millipedes. These twelve include the two putative new species described above. The ecology of these and other fungal associates were also explored, using fungal cohort pairings and entomopathogenicity trials. Over 40% of all fungal pairings resulted in competitive interactions, a majority of which involved inhibition or overgrowth by fungi in the Hypocreales and Polyporales, respectively. The abundance of these competitive interactions in these two orders indicate differing ecological strategies. Hypocreales used chemical warfare to competitively exclude other fungi, while Polyporales physically overgrew their competitors. Mucoromycotan fungi used a similar strategy to the Polyporales. Results of a series of entomopathogenicity trials indicated that B. lecontii was less susceptible to entomopathogenic Hypocreales than an insect model (Galleria mellonella), even though these fungi are known to attack several classes of arthropods. Furthermore, the absence of a negative interaction between B. lecontii and entomopathogenic Hypocreales may indicate a beneficial relationship. When challenged with Polyporales, B. lecontii exhibited high mortality, while G. mellonella was unaffected. This stands in sharp contrast to previous casual observations of the feeding behavior of B. lecontii. Recent discoveries of previously overlooked fungal diversity have been groundbreaking and hint at substantial cryptic fungal biodiversity across the globe. The 200-300 million-year-old association between fungi and the Colobognatha, which includes Brachycybe lecontii, provides an ideal system to uncover biodiversity and examine function of these fungi in a highly understudied and ancient association.

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A field demonstration of the costs and benefits of group living to edible and defended prey

Cited by 18 publications

References 17 publications

Endogenous toxins and the coupling of gregariousness to conspicuousness in Argidae and Pergidae sawflies

Endogenous toxins and the coupling of gregariousness to conspicuousness in Argidae and Pergidae sawflies

The Effect of Digestive Capacity on the Intake Rate of Toxic and Non-Toxic Prey in an Ecological Context

Diversity and function of fungi associated with the fungivorous millipede, Brachycybe lecontii

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