The Ecology of Altruism in a Clonal Insect

Pike, Nathan; Foster, William A.

doi:10.1007/978-3-540-75957-7_2

Cited by 43 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…In any case, the rarity of maturing primary morphs combines with the discrete morphospace occupied by primary and secondary morphs, the lack of primary morph turnover, and the increased number of secondary morphs with increased colony size to indicate that secondary morphs do not represent a temporal caste. That is, secondary morphs do not appear generally to initially specialize on defence and then transition to become reproductives (as documented for some aphid soldiers [18,31]). …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Social organization in a flatworm: trematode parasites form soldier and reproductive castes

2010

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In some of the most complex animal societies, individuals exhibit a cooperative division of labour to form castes. The most pronounced types of caste formation involve reproductive and non-reproductive forms that are morphologically distinct. In colonies comprising separate or mobile individuals, this type of caste formation has been recognized only among the arthropods, sea anemones and mole-rats. Here, we document physical and behavioural caste formation in a flatworm. Trematode flatworm parasites undergo repeated clonal reproduction of 'parthenitae' within their molluscan hosts forming colonies. We present experimental and observational data demonstrating specialization among trematode parthenitae to form distinct soldier and reproductive castes. Soldiers do not reproduce, have relatively large mouthparts, and are much smaller and thinner than reproductives. Soldiers are also more active, and are disproportionally common in areas of the host where invasions occur. Further, only soldiers readily and consistently attack heterospecifics and conspecifics from other colonies. The division of labour described here for trematodes is strongly analogous to that characterizing other social systems with a soldier caste. The parallel caste formation in these systems, despite varying reproductive mode and taxonomic affiliation, indicates the general importance of ecological factors in influencing the evolution of social behaviour. Further, the 'recognition of self ' and the defence of the infected host body from invading parasites are comparable to aspects of immune defence. A division of labour is probably widespread among trematodes and trematode species encompass considerable taxonomic, life history and environmental diversity. Trematodes should therefore provide new, fruitful systems to investigate the ecology and evolution of sociality.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…First, there are some gall aphids [8,18,31], a sea anemone [12,13] and some parasitoid wasp larvae [10,37]. As for trematode parthenitae, colonies in these systems comprise clonal, separate individuals.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social organization in a flatworm: trematode parasites form soldier and reproductive castes

2010

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“…Altruistic behavior, in which sterile individuals benefit their kin individuals, has evolved in eusocial insects of some taxonomic groups (Trivers & Hare, 1976;Hölldobler & Wilson, 1990;Pike & Foster, 2008). Eusocial aphids produce sterile individuals (so-called soldiers) that protect their colony mates from predators (Stern & Foster, 1996;Pike & Foster, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Eusocial aphids produce sterile individuals (so-called soldiers) that protect their colony mates from predators (Stern & Foster, 1996;Pike & Foster, 2008). Soldiers have morphological, behavioral and physiological traits that have specialized functions against predators (Kutsukake et al, 2004;Hattori & Itino, 2008;Hattori et al, 2013a, b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such kin recognition may generally help maintain eusociality (Hamilton, 1964but see Abbot, 2009, because an ability of kin recognition can keep high relatedness between donor and recipient in altruistic interactions (Gadagkar 1985). However, some eusocial aphids (e.g., C. japonica, Ceratoglyphina bambusae, and Pseudoregma bambucicola) cannot recognize kin individuals (Aoki et al, 1991Carlin et al, 1994Shibao, 1999; for a review see Pike & Foster, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Clonal composition of colonies of a eusocial aphid, Ceratovacuna japonica

Hattori¹

2015

Sociobiology

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First record of antipredator behavior in the gall‐forming aphid Mordwilkoja vagabunda

Legan

2022

Ecosphere

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The gall‐forming aphid Mordwilkoja vagabunda has been an out‐group in molecular studies of the evolution of social behavior in the Pemphigus genus, but Mordwilkoja aphids have not previously been assayed for social behavior, such as altruistic defense. This study reports experiments carried out in July in Ithaca, NY, in which nymphs (immature aphids) of M. vagabunda were video‐recorded under a stereomicroscope while they encountered pyralid moth larvae in a plastic arena. Mordwilkoja vagabunda nymphs of all instars used their legs to claw moth larvae while pressing their rostrums against the larvae, possibly to pierce the cuticle. Many of the attacking aphids were alatoid nymphs, rather than the specialized first‐instar soldiers typically observed in Pemphigus species. Mordwilkoja vagabunda nymphs moved in bursts that sometimes became synchronized among several aphids in the same vicinity. These synchronized, rhythmic movements may be antipredator defense strategies comparable to the collective twitching and kicking response observed in colonies of Aphis nerii and other aphid species. Defensive behaviors by M. vagabunda nymphs may be altruistic fortress defense strategies, which maximize the inclusive fitness of the clone.

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The Ecology of Altruism in a Clonal Insect

Cited by 43 publications

References 58 publications

Social organization in a flatworm: trematode parasites form soldier and reproductive castes

Social organization in a flatworm: trematode parasites form soldier and reproductive castes

Clonal composition of colonies of a eusocial aphid, Ceratovacuna japonica

First record of antipredator behavior in the gall‐forming aphid Mordwilkoja vagabunda

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