Assisted phoresy of invertebrates by anurans in tank bromeliads: interspecific relationship

2020 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Pedro de Araújo ◽  
Alexandre Henrique Carvalho Marques ◽  
Alexandre Pereira Dantas ◽  
Mauro de Melo Junior ◽  
Geraldo Jorge Barbosa de Moura ◽  
...  
2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 126-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme N Corte ◽  
Leonardo Q Yokoyama ◽  
Márcia R Denadai ◽  
Eduardo Bessa ◽  
Maria Claudia Z Salles ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan R. K. Lehmann ◽  
Milan D. Prior ◽  
Luiza F. A. Paula ◽  
Luísa Azevedo ◽  
Stefan Porembski ◽  
...  

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 611-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
JEAN-FRANÇOIS CARRIAS ◽  
MARIE-EVE CUSSAC ◽  
BRUNO CORBARA

Bromeliads are common as epiphytes in warm neotropical forests (Benzing 1990). Species native to relatively wet forests impound water in a central cup and/or in seperate leaf axils. These tanks receive enough leaf litter and rainwater to support aquatic life (Maguire 1971). In these complex microcosms many groups of freshwater organisms ranging from algae, fungi, bacteria and protozoa through insects to frogs are represented and constitute considerable animal populations (Frank 1983, Laessle 1961, Maguire 1971, Picado 1913, Richardson 1999). Nutrients originating from the decomposition of litter and animal waste are absorbed by specialized trichomes on the bases of the leaves which form the tanks (Benzing 1980, 1990).


Zootaxa ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2662 (1) ◽  
pp. 66
Author(s):  
RÜDIGER WAGNER ◽  
LAWRENCE J. HRIBAR

In recent years several Neotropical Psychodidae Psychodinae were collected from Bromeliaceae. These plants are a kind of aquatic microcosmos and harbour a diverse and probably specialized fauna (Frank & Lounibos 2009, Kitching 2000, Richardson 1999). Quite a number of psychodids collected from Bromeliaceae is from genus Arisemus (Satchell, 1955). In some cases adults were reared from larvae collected in bromeliads, so that both stages were associated Wagner et al. 2008; Wagner et al. accepted. From some other species and genera it is known or supposed that their habitat is related to bromeliads (more information in Quate & Brown 2004, Frank et al. 2004). Additional information with description of a new species can be found in Wagner & Hribar (2005). Remarkably one newly described species was transported with a bromeliad from Brazil via the Netherlands to Sweden, where larvae or eggs developed to the adult stage and were collected in a terrarium (Wagner & Svensson 2006). So it appears that the small water bodies in tank bromeliads and other plants or the high atmospheric humidity in the environment of Tillandsia plants provide a sufficient environment for successful development of psychodids, at least in the Neotropical region. Here we report about another new species collected from bromeliads in Florida that belongs to the remarkable genus Neurosystasis Satchell, 1955, of which so far only two species were known: N. terminalis (Satchell, 1955) from Jamaica, and N. amplipenna (Knab, 1914) from Cuba. Quate & Brown (2004) mentioned 3 females from Orange County Florida, U.S.A. collected from Tillandsia utriculata (Bromeliaceae) where larvae live in the leaf axils. Most probably these females are not N. amplipenna (Knab, 1914) but belong to the new species described below.


Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 200
Author(s):  
Franklin H. Rocha ◽  
Jean-Paul Lachaud ◽  
Yann Hénaut ◽  
Carmen Pozo ◽  
Gabriela Pérez-Lachaud

In the Yucatan Peninsula, the ponerine ant Neoponera villosa nests almost exclusively in tank bromeliads, Aechmea bracteata. In this study, we aimed to determine the factors influencing nest site selection during nest relocation which is regularly promoted by hurricanes in this area. Using ants with and without previous experience of Ae. bracteata, we tested their preference for refuges consisting of Ae. bracteata leaves over two other bromeliads, Ae. bromeliifolia and Ananas comosus. We further evaluated bromeliad-associated traits that could influence nest site selection (form and size). Workers with and without previous contact with Ae. bracteata significantly preferred this species over others, suggesting the existence of an innate attraction to this bromeliad. However, preference was not influenced by previous contact with Ae. bracteata. Workers easily discriminated between shelters of Ae. bracteata and A. comosus, but not those of the closely related Ae. bromeliifolia. In marked contrast, ants discriminated between similar sized Ae. bracteata and Ae. bromeliifolia plants, suggesting that chemical cues and plant structure play an important role. Size was also significant as they selected the largest plant when provided two dissimilar Ae. bracteata plants. Nest site selection by N. villosa workers seems to depend on innate preferences but familiarization with plant stimuli is not excluded.


2020 ◽  
Vol 170 (4) ◽  
pp. 488-507
Author(s):  
Mia Svensk ◽  
Sabrina Coste ◽  
Bastien Gérard ◽  
Eva Gril ◽  
Frédéric Julien ◽  
...  

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 457-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edmée Engel ◽  
Klaus Groh ◽  
Richard Griffiths ◽  
Laura Wood ◽  
Laurent Schley

Abstract Small freshwater mussels are sometimes found attached to the toes of aquatic phase amphibians, but the ecological implications of this interspecific relationship are unknown. Toe condition and mussel presence were recorded for newts caught in 37 ponds in Luxembourg between March and June 2007. All four local newt species were affected (Lissotriton helveticus, L. vulgaris, Mesotriton alpestris and Triturus cristatus), primarily by the mussel Sphaerium nucleus but also by Pisidium subtruncatum. Mussel attachment was observed in three ponds, with a particularly high occurrence in one pond, where 23% of newts were affected and significantly more toes were damaged than in other ponds. Mussels caused local tissue and bone damage to their host and may interfere with egg-laying. Twenty-two newts with attached mussels were observed in aquaria for up to 3 days: 13 mussels detached when the newt's toe fell off and nine remained attached. If the mussels benefit from the interaction through, for example, enhanced dispersal then the relationship between the two taxa represents a novel form of parasitism.


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