Loss of microbial (pathogen) infections associated with recent invasions of the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta

Yang, Chin-Cheng; Yu, Yi-Chih; Valles, Steven M.; Oi, David H.; Chen, Yin-Cheng; Shoemaker, DeWayne; Wu, Wen‐Jer; Shih, Chi‐Jen

doi:10.1007/s10530-010-9724-9

Cited by 73 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…Discovery and exploitation of additional biological control agents, from either South or North American populations, could aid the control and suppression of fire ants and remain a key research topic for a number of academic and government laboratories [10]. Indeed, the number of natural enemies found in recently introduced S. invicta populations in Australia and China are even fewer than in the USA [27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Positive-Strand RNA Viruses Infecting the Red Imported Fire Ant,Solenopsis invicta

Valles

2012

Psyche: A Journal of Entomology

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The imported fire ants,Solenopsis invictaandS. richteriwere introduced into the USA between 1918 and 1945. Since that time, they have expanded their USA range to include some 138 million hectares. Their introduction has had significant economic consequences with costs associated with damage and control efforts estimated at 6 billion dollars annually in the USA. The general consensus of entomologists and myrmecologists is that permanent, sustainable control of these ants in the USA will likely depend on self-sustaining biological control agents. A metagenomics approach successfully resulted in discovery of three viruses infectingS. invicta.Solenopsis invicta virus 1(SINV-1), SINV-2, and SINV-3 are all positive, single-stranded RNA viruses and represent the first viral discoveries in any ant species. Molecular characterization, host relationships, and potential development and use of SINV-1, SINV-2, and SINV-3 as biopesticides are discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Positive-Strand RNA Viruses Infecting the Red Imported Fire Ant,Solenopsis invicta

Valles

2012

Psyche: A Journal of Entomology

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“…Ultimate explanations for the apparent dominance of invasive ants include the release from natural enemies (Porter et al 1997, Tsutsui et al 2003, Yang et al 2010, the breakdown of nestmate recognition leading to low intraspeciÞc aggression and high colony density (Tsutsui et al 2000, Starks 2003, or "preselection" for aggression and dominance among invasive forms (Davidson 1998;Holway 1998Holway , 1999Giraud et al 2002). Invading foragers may also have an energetic advantage at high densities given an apparent surplus of carbohydrates from homopteran sources relative to the availability of protein (Davidson 1998, Helms and Vinson 2008, Wilder et al 2011, Shik and Silverman 2012.…”

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confidence: 99%

Mechanisms of Competitive Displacement of Native Ant Fauna by Invading <I>Myrmica rubra</I> (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Populations

2014

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Exotic ants have become invasive in many regions around the world, with variable ecological impacts. Postinvasion, native ant communities are often found to be depauperate, though the causes of this apparent lack of coexistence are rarely well known. Myrmica rubra (L.), a Palearctic Myrmecine ant, is currently expanding its range as an invasive in North America. This aggressive ant forms dense, patchy local infestations and appears to aggressively displace native ant fauna. We measured behavioral interactions and rates of recruitment in experimental Þeld assays pitting native foragers against captive colonies of M. rubra at tuna-jelly or aphid baits in uninfested areas of Mt. Desert Island, ME. Behavioral interactions were idiosyncratic with respect to the native opponent, but M. rubra generally showed signiÞcantly higher levels of recruitment, aggression, and displacement of native foragers. As with other invasive ant species shown to have broken the "dominanceÐ discovery trade-off," M. rubra was consistently faster to discover baits and disproportionately displaced native foragers, providing a plausible proximate mechanism for native ant exclusion. Finally, we surveyed ant recruitment at baits for 24 h in August 2004 at four sites with varying M. rubra abundance but found little evidence of temporal niche partitioning. Taken together, these results indicate competitive superiority by M. rubra with respect to native ant communities of the northeastern North America and suggest direct aggression and competitive exclusion at food resources can lead to local native displacement.

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“…The fact that translocation to Grafham Water and other UK sites likely occurred via anthropogenic activities, as discussed in several papers, (e.g. via sailing craft) may have assisted the selection of the fittest/less parasitized individuals to survive in transit to the new location (Bij de Vaate et al 2002, Grigorovich et al 2003, Casellato et al 2006, Yang et al 2010. Similar scenarios have been discussed for UK invasions of the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis and its pathogens ).…”

Section: Have Dikerogammarus Villosus Undergone 'Enemy Release'?mentioning

confidence: 66%

Baseline histopathological survey of a recently invading island population of ‘killer shrimp’, Dikerogammarus villosus

Bojko¹,

Stebbing²,

Bateman³

et al. 2013

Dis. Aquat. Org.

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Dikerogammarus villosus, an invasive amphipod, has recently been detected in UK freshwaters. To assess the potential for pathogen introduction with the invader, a year-long histopathology survey of the D. villosus population inhabiting the initial site of detection (Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire, UK) was conducted. Additional samples were collected from 2 other subsequently identified populations within the UK (Cardiff Bay and Norfolk Broads), and from established populations in France (River Rhine) and Poland (River Vistula). The data revealed a range of pathogens and commensals. Several pathogens occurring within continental populations were not present within the UK populations. Microsporidian parasites and a novel viral pathogen were amongst those not observed in the UK. The absence of these pathogens at UK sites may therefore impart significant survival advantages to D. villosus over native fauna, thereby increasing its success as an invader. The contrast in pathogen profile between UK and continental-invasive populations of D. villosus provides preliminary evidence for so-called 'enemy release' in UK populations of D. villosus and is suggestive of single-point introductions, rather than continual incursion events as previously observed throughout its continental invasive range. This baseline survey provides important data on the pathogen and commensal profile of a high-impact, invasive species early in its invasion history of the UK. It can be utilised to assess potential for temporal pathogen acquisition by non-native invasive aquatic species and to investigate competitive advantages placed upon this invader due to absence of important pathogens experienced within its native range.

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Loss of microbial (pathogen) infections associated with recent invasions of the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta

Cited by 73 publications

References 74 publications

Positive-Strand RNA Viruses Infecting the Red Imported Fire Ant,Solenopsis invicta

Positive-Strand RNA Viruses Infecting the Red Imported Fire Ant,Solenopsis invicta

Mechanisms of Competitive Displacement of Native Ant Fauna by Invading <I>Myrmica rubra</I> (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Populations

Baseline histopathological survey of a recently invading island population of ‘killer shrimp’, Dikerogammarus villosus

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