A theory and a mathematical model for the evolution of single and multiple host behavior in a parasite-host system (Maculinea-Myrmica)

Assis, Raul Abreu de; Cecconello, Moiseis dos Santos; Casacci, Luca Pietro; Assis, Luciana Mafalda Elias de; Venturino, Ezio; Bonelli, Simona

doi:10.1016/j.ecocom.2017.11.007

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 48 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A separate modelling approach also suggested that multiple-host use is more likely on sites where the similarity between the chemical profiles of distinct host ant species is high. This scenario enables the successful exploitation and deception of the hosts, without requiring a super-specialisation of the parasite that instead can evolve an intermediate CHC profile 44,45 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Host specificity pattern and chemical deception in a social parasite of ants

Casacci

Schönrogge

Thomas

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In natural ecosystems, relationships between organisms are often characterised by high levels of complexity, where vulnerabilities in multi-trophic systems are difficult to identify, yet variation in specific community modules can be traceable. Within the complex community interactions, we can shed new light on dynamics by which co-evolutionary outcomes can inform science-led conservation. Here we assessed host-ant use in six populations of the butterfly Phengaris (=Maculinea) rebeli, an obligate social parasite of Myrmica ants and a model system in evolutionary and conservation ecology. Starting from the initial distribution of eggs, we estimated the survival of the parasite in the wild in nests of seven Myrmica ant species, and analysed the chemical cues evolved by the parasites to subvert its host defences. We found local variations in host specificity that are consistent with similarities found in the chemical profiles of hosts and parasites on different sites. At some sites, only one ant species is successfully exploited; at others, multiple-host populations are used. Understanding how stable or adaptable these associations are is essential knowledge when devising conservation measures to maintain keystone species of ant and locally adapted populations of Phengaris butterfly species, which are rare, threatened and a high priority for conservation worldwide.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Host specificity pattern and chemical deception in a social parasite of ants

Casacci

Schönrogge

Thomas

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A recent theoretical model of the evolution of host use in Maculinea [124] explored the effects of Myrmica species abundance and similarity in host phenotypes on the evolution of specificity. This resulted in the conclusion that two stable strategies are likely to exist: (1) specialization on a single, abundant host or (2) use of multiple hosts when host abundance is lower and hosts at least partially share phenotypes related to Maculinea infection ability.…”

Section: (D) Host Sharing and Host Switchingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patterns of host use by brood parasiticMaculineabutterflies across Europe

Tartally

Thomas

Anton

et al. 2019

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The range of hosts exploited by a parasite is determined by several factors, including host availability, infectivity and exploitability. Each of these can be the target of natural selection on both host and parasite, which will determine the local outcome of interactions, and potentially lead to coevolution. However, geographical variation in host use and specificity has rarely been investigated. Maculinea (= Phengaris ) butterflies are brood parasites of Myrmica ants that are patchily distributed across the Palæarctic and have been studied extensively in Europe. Here, we review the published records of ant host use by the European Maculinea species, as well as providing new host ant records for more than 100 sites across Europe. This comprehensive survey demonstrates that while all but one of the Myrmica species found on Maculinea sites have been recorded as hosts, the most common is often disproportionately highly exploited. Host sharing and host switching are both relatively common, but there is evidence of specialization at many sites, which varies among Maculinea species. We show that most Maculinea display the features expected for coevolution to occur in a geographic mosaic, which has probably allowed these rare butterflies to persist in Europe. This article is part of the theme issue ‘The coevolutionary biology of brood parasitism: from mechanism to pattern’.

show abstract

“…Reaction-diffusion models are applied to the study of a wide variety of natural systems. Pattern formation in animal coats 20 , spatial distribution of slime molds and formation of galaxies 21 , ecological invasion by alien species 22 , chemical signalization in insects 23 and even evolutionary phenomena 24 are some examples of applications. For an excellent review of its use in Mathematical Ecology, we indicate the book by Okubo 25 .…”

Section: The Reaction-diffusion Equationmentioning

confidence: 99%

When Shape Matters: Using a Simple Mathematical Model to Estimate Critical Area Sizes in Conservation

Assis

Malavazi

Pazim

et al. 2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the analysis of anthropogenic impact on the environment arises the question of whether the shapes of preserved habitat fragments play an important role in the conservation of wild species. In this work we use a very simple mathematical model based on a reaction-diffusion equation to analyze the effects of geometric shape and area on the permanence of populations in habitat fragments. Our results indicate that a dimensionless quantity calculated from a combination of biological variables is the main component that determines if the species survives in the preserved fragment and whether its geometric shape is important. We provide a methodology to calculate critical area sizes for which population size is most affected by fragment shape. The calculation is based on four quantitative variables: maximum per capita reproduction rate, per capita mortality rate outside the fragment, carrying capacity in the conserved environment and mobility in the disturbed environment. The methodology is illustrated by a preliminary study, in which the model is used to estimate threshold area sizes for habitat fragments for the threatened species Sapajus xanthosternos .

show abstract

A theory and a mathematical model for the evolution of single and multiple host behavior in a parasite-host system (Maculinea-Myrmica)

Cited by 4 publications

References 48 publications

Host specificity pattern and chemical deception in a social parasite of ants

Host specificity pattern and chemical deception in a social parasite of ants

Patterns of host use by brood parasiticMaculineabutterflies across Europe

When Shape Matters: Using a Simple Mathematical Model to Estimate Critical Area Sizes in Conservation

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About