Harmful Effects of Invasive Yellow Crazy Ant<i>Anoplolepis gracilipes</i>on Three Land Bird Species of Minami-Daito Island

Matsui, Shin; Kikuchi, Toru; Akatani, Kana; Horie, Sayaka; Takagi, Masaoki

doi:10.2326/048.008.0111

Cited by 15 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…In addition, this species also attacks and kills populations of smaller vertebrates such as birds or new-born domestic animals, e.g. on the Seychelles [ 16 – 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Worker reproduction of the invasive yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes

et al. 2017

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BackgroundReproductive division of labor is one of the key features of social insects. Queens are adapted for reproduction while workers are adapted for foraging and colony maintenance. In many species, however, workers retain functional ovaries and can lay unfertilized male eggs or trophic eggs. Here we report for the first time on the occurrence of physogastric workers and apparent worker reproduction in the invasive yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes (Fr. Smith). We further examined the reproductive potential and nutritional role of physogastric workers through multidisciplinary approaches including morphological characterization, laboratory manipulation, genetic analysis and behavioral observation.ResultsEgg production with two types of eggs, namely reproductive and trophic eggs, by physogastric workers was found. The reproductive egg was confirmed to be haploid and male-destined, suggesting that the workers produced males via arrhenotokous parthenogenesis as no spermatheca was discovered. Detailed observations suggested that larvae were mainly fed with trophic eggs. Along with consumption of trophic eggs by queens and other castes as part of their diet, the vital role of physogastric workers as “trophic specialist” is confirmed.ConclusionWe propose that adaptive advantages derived from worker reproduction for A. gracilipes may include 1) trophic eggs provisioned by physogastric workers likely assist colonies of A. gracilipes in overcoming unfavorable conditions such as paucity of food during critical founding stage; 2) worker-produced males are fertile and thus might offer an inclusive fitness advantage for the doomed orphaned colony.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12983-017-0210-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…In addition, this species also attacks and kills populations of smaller vertebrates such as birds or new-born domestic animals, e.g. on the Seychelles [ 16 – 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Worker reproduction of the invasive yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes

et al. 2017

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“…Anoplolepis gracilipes is known to attack and kill birds and mammals (Haines et al 1994;Matsui et al 2009), reduce nesting success and alter abundances and foraging behavior in forest birds on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean (Davis et al 2008(Davis et al , 2010. The species has also been observed in large numbers on nesting seabirds, causing irritation, sometimes apparently leading to abandonment of colonies (Freare 1999;Eijzenga and Smith unp.…”

Section: Ant Control and Eradicationmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…These characteristics make them highly capable of invading new ecosystems and monopolizing resources. Some species seem to be able to exclude or suppress others (Kirschenbaum and Grace 2008) and some species (e.g., A. gracilipes) have proven especially harmful to native ecosystems (Hill et al 2003;O'Dowd et al 2003, Davis et al 2008Matsui et al 2009). The subsequent dominance of A. gracilipes demonstrates its superior ability to monopolize resources, which may be facilitated by agonistic interactions among ant species.…”

Section: Ant Control and Eradicationmentioning

confidence: 98%

Indirect effects of ant eradication efforts on offshore islets in the Hawaiian Archipelago

Plentovich

Eijzenga²,

Eijzenga

et al. 2010

Biol Invasions

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Invasive species eradication and control are considered vital components of the conservation, restoration, and management of many native ecosystems. Invasive ants, which are notoriously difficult to eradicate, can cause catastrophic changes in ecosystems and are aggressive colonists. Here we report the eradication and control of two widely distributed invasive ants and subsequent unanticipated effects on arthropod and avian communities. We used a paired experimental design that included 1 year of baseline data collection, to test the effects of the formicide hydramethylnon on abundances of two ant species on two pairs of offshore islets. Pheidole megacephala was eradicated from the treated islet in pair 1 and was not detected during 2003-2008. On pair 2 Solenopsis geminata numbers declined, but the species remained present. Target ant densities remained high on untreated islets. Application of hydramethylnon reduced numbers of alien cockroaches (Order: Blattaria), but we did not detect effects on other nontarget arthropods. The eradication of P. megacephala was followed by dynamic compositional changes in the ant community, including the apparent colonization by three species (S. geminata, Tetramorium bicarinatum and Anoplolepis gracilipes) previously undetected on the islet. One of these, A. gracilipes, underwent a rapid range expansion during 2006-2008 which corresponded with reduced seabird nesting success. We conclude that hydramethylnon can be used effectively to eradicate P. megacephala. However, ant eradications can have detrimental effects on ecosystems and the potential for subsequent colonization of sites by other ant species that may be more harmful and more difficult to eradicate needs to be considered.

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“…Population level declines have been recorded for wedgetail shearwater chicks (Adrena pacifica) harassed by yellow crazy ants in Hawai'i and for the emerald dove (Chalcophaps indica natalis) and juvenile Christmas Island thrush (Turdus poliocephalus erythropleurus), due to direct and indirect effects of the ants on Christmas Island (Davis et al 2008;O'Dowd et al 2003). But population level effects of yellow crazy ants are unknown, or unreported for the critically endangered Christmas Island flying fox (Pteropus natalis) on Christmas Island and Daito whiteeye (Zosterops japonicus daitoensis) and bull-headed shrike fledglings (Lanius bucephalus) on Minami-daito island, Japan, which are also all harassed by the ants (Dorrestein et al 2019;Matsui et al 2009). Evidence for effects of yellow crazy ants on herpetofauna is much more tenuous.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive ants reduce abundance of small rainforest skinks

et al. 2022

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Invasive ants are among the world’s most damaging invasive species, often directly or indirectly affecting native fauna. Insecticidal baits are the main method for suppressing or eradicating invasive ant populations, but their use must be considered against potential for unintended effects on native organisms. The invasive yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracillipes) is widespread in the tropics, particularly on islands, where they have displaced a range of invertebrates. Effects of this ant on vertebrates, and in continental ecosystems generally, are less studied. We investigated the effects of yellow crazy ants and bait application on rainforest skinks and their invertebrate prey. We compared skink and skink prey abundance across four replicated rainforest site categories: high and low yellow crazy ant sites had both been baited but differed in yellow crazy ant activity; control sites had never had yellow crazy ants or been baited; and buffer sites had never had yellow crazy ants but had been baited. We recorded significantly lower abundance of two small skink species (Lygisaurus laevis and Saproscincus tetradactylus) in high yellow crazy ant sites compared to all other site categories. The differences persisted even after baiting reduced yellow crazy ant activity by 97.8% ± 0.04% (mean ± SD). A larger rainforest skink species (Carlia rubrigularis) was not negatively affected by yellow crazy ant invasion. Skink prey abundance was significantly lower in high yellow crazy ant sites compared to control sites and low yellow crazy ant sites, but not compared to buffer sites. These differences did not persist following baiting. We found no evidence that baiting negatively affects skinks or their invertebrate prey. Our data suggest that yellow crazy ants, but not the bait used to treat them, pose a direct threat to small rainforest skinks.

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Harmful Effects of Invasive Yellow Crazy AntAnoplolepis gracilipeson Three Land Bird Species of Minami-Daito Island

Cited by 15 publications

References 22 publications

Worker reproduction of the invasive yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes

Worker reproduction of the invasive yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes

Indirect effects of ant eradication efforts on offshore islets in the Hawaiian Archipelago

Invasive ants reduce abundance of small rainforest skinks

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