Evolution and host specificity: a study of the invasion success of a specialized bumblebee social parasite

1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (8) ◽  
pp. 1641-1644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard M. Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Host Specificity ◽  
Invasion Success ◽  
Host Specialization ◽  
Social Parasite ◽  
Host Defenses ◽  
Social Parasites ◽  
Laboratory Colonies ◽  
Nest Usurpation ◽  
Bombus Affinis ◽  
Host Parasite

Species of Psithyrus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) are obligate social parasites of bumblebees. They range from monospecificity to species which have many Bombus hosts. Much of the reported variation in host–parasite behaviour which occurs during attempted nest usurpations may be explained in the context of host specificity. Psithyrus ashtoni is a relatively specialized bumblebee social parasite. The ability of P. ashtoni females to successfully enter laboratory colonies of Bombus affinis and Bombus terricola was tested. Female Psithyrus were introduced into more than 100 host colonies containing 0–58 workers. Parasites and host queens never fought, but in both hosts, invasion success decreased with increasing worker numbers. The passive nest usurpation behaviour of P. ashtoni differs from that of other, nonspecialized species of Psithyrus, which may kill or displace the host queen, and from that of completely specialized parasites, which may cohabit with both host queens and host workers. Host specialization may allow Psithyrus females to evolve behavioural and physiological features which minimize host defenses. Thus, while the number of available host species is limited, there is an increased probability of successful usurpation in nests of the appropriate host.

Benefits of fidelity: does host specialization impact nematode parasite life history and fecundity?

Parasitology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 140 (5) ◽  
pp. 587-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. KOPRIVNIKAR ◽  
H. S. RANDHAWA
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Host Specificity ◽  
Egg Size ◽  
Host Specialization ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Female Size ◽  
Patent Period ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Evolutionary Level ◽  
Host Parasite

SUMMARYThe range of hosts used by a parasite is influenced by macro-evolutionary processes (host switching, host–parasite co-evolution), as well as ‘encounter filters’ and ‘compatibility filters’ at the micro-evolutionary level driven by host/parasite ecology and physiology. Host specialization is hypothesized to result in trade-offs with aspects of parasite life history (e.g. reproductive output), but these have not been well studied. We used previously published data to create models examining general relationships among host specificity and important aspects of life history and reproduction for nematodes parasitizing animals. Our results indicate no general trade-off between host specificity and the average pre-patent period (time to first reproduction), female size, egg size, or fecundity of these nematodes. However, female size was positively related to egg size, fecundity, and pre-patent period. Host compatibility may thus not be the primary determinant of specificity in these parasitic nematodes if there are few apparent trade-offs with reproduction, but rather, the encounter opportunities for new host species at the micro-evolutionary level, and other processes at the macro-evolutionary level (i.e. phylogeny). Because host specificity is recognized as a key factor determining the spread of parasitic diseases understanding factors limiting host use are essential to predict future changes in parasite range and occurrence.

Dynamics of chemical mimicry in the social parasite wasp Polistes semenowi (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Parasitology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 129 (5) ◽  
pp. 643-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. LORENZI ◽  
R. CERVO ◽  
F. ZACCHI ◽  
S. TURILLAZZI ◽  
A.-G. BAGNÈRES
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Social Parasite ◽  
Polistes Dominulus ◽  
Lipid Layer ◽  
Social Parasites ◽  
Host Nest ◽  
Recognition Mechanism ◽  
The Social ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Nest Usurpation

Chemical cues are so important in the recognition mechanism of social insects that most social parasites (which rely on hosts to rear their brood) have been documented as overcoming the mechanism by which colony residents recognize non-nestmates, by mimicking the odour of the usurped colony. We simulated in the laboratory the process by which the obligate social parasite, Polistes semenowi, invades nests of the host species, Polistes dominulus, in the field and analysed the epicuticular lipid layer before and after host nest usurpation. The experiment documents that P. semenowi social parasites have an epicuticular hydrocarbon pattern which is very similar to that of their host but, after entering host colonies, parasites mimic the odour of the colonies they invade, to the point that they perfectly match the hydrocarbon profile peculiar to the colony they entered. However, both before and after host nest invasion, parasites show a tendency to possess diluted recognition cues with respect to their hosts.

Evolution and host specificity: dichotomous invasion success of Psithyrus citrinus (Hymenoptera: Apidae), a bumblebee social parasite in colonies of its two hosts

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 977-981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard M. Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Host Specificity ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Invasion Success ◽  
Social Parasite ◽  
Suitable Host ◽  
Nest Initiation

Psithyrus citrinus is an obligate bumblebee social parasite. It has two hosts. Based upon the attraction of P. citrinus females to nests of Bombus vagans, it appears that B. impatiens is a nonpreferred or secondary host. A total of 29 female P. citrinus were introduced into host colonies reared in the laboratory, containing from 0 to 90 workers. Workers and queens of B. impatiens attacked P. citrinus females, and very few parasites survived. In contrast, workers and queens of B. vagans did not defend their nests, and parasites invaded colonies of this species successfully. Specialization appears to facilitate the success of P. citrinus females in invading host colonies. Parasite females were successful in rearing offspring in nests of both host species, although reproduction was limited by the extent to which parasites were assisted by host bees in rearing brood. In the absence of suitable host colonies, ecological factors, including periods of nest initiation by host queens and the relative abundance of nests, may act to maintain secondary host affiliations.

scholarly journals The evolution of social parasitism in Formica ants revealed by a global phylogeny

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek L Borowiec ◽  
Stefan P Cover ◽  
Christian Rabeling
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
New World ◽  
Social Parasitism ◽  
Social Parasite ◽  
Colony Foundation ◽  
Parasite Diversity ◽  
Social Parasites ◽  
Evolutionary Trajectories ◽  
Competing Hypotheses ◽  
Temporary Social Parasitism

Studying the behavioral and life history transitions from a cooperative, eusocial life history to exploitative social parasitism allows for deciphering the conditions under which changes in behavior and social organization lead to diversification. The Holarctic ant genus Formica is ideally suited for studying the evolution of social parasitism because half of its 178 species are confirmed or suspected social parasites, which includes all three major classes of social parasitism known in ants. However, the life-history transitions associated with the evolution of social parasitism in this genus are largely unexplored. To test competing hypotheses regarding the origins and evolution of social parasitism, we reconstructed the first global phylogeny of Formica ants and representative formicine outgroups. The genus Formica originated in the Old World during the Oligocene (~30 Ma ago) and dispersed multiple times to the New World. Within Formica, the capacity for dependent colony foundation and temporary social parasitism arose once from a facultatively polygynous, independently colony founding ancestor. Within this parasitic clade, dulotic social parasitism evolved once from a facultatively temporary parasitic ancestor that likely practiced colony budding frequently. Permanent social parasitism evolved twice from temporary social parasitic ancestors that rarely practiced colony budding, demonstrating that obligate social parasitism can originate from different facultative parasitic backgrounds in socially polymorphic organisms. In contrast to inquiline ant species in other genera, the high social parasite diversity in Formica likely originated via allopatric speciation, highlighting the diversity of convergent evolutionary trajectories resulting in nearly identical parasitic life history syndromes.

scholarly journals Brood parasitism in eusocial insects (Hymenoptera): role of host geographical range size and phylogeny

2019 ◽  
Vol 374 (1769) ◽  
pp. 20180203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jukka Suhonen ◽  
Jaakko J. Ilvonen ◽  
Tommi Nyman ◽  
Jouni Sorvari
Keyword(s):  
Brood Parasitism ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Geographical Range ◽  
Social Parasite ◽  
Brood Parasite ◽  
Social Parasites ◽  
Brood Parasites ◽  
Eusocial Insects ◽  
Interspecific Brood Parasitism ◽  
Logistic Regressions

Interspecific brood parasitism is common in many animal systems. Brood parasites enter the nests of other species and divert host resources for producing their own offspring, which can lead to strong antagonistic parasite–host coevolution. Here, we look at commonalities among social insect species that are victims of brood parasites, and use phylogenetic data and information on geographical range size to predict which species are most probably to fall victims to brood parasites in the future. In our analyses, we focus on three eusocial hymenopteran groups and their brood parasites: (i) bumblebees, (ii) Myrmica ants, and (iii) vespine and polistine wasps. In these groups, some, but not all, species are parasitized by obligate workerless inquilines that only produce reproductive-caste descendants. We find phylogenetic signals for geographical range size and the presence of parasites in bumblebees, but not in ants and wasps. Phylogenetic logistic regressions indicate that the probability of being attacked by one or more brood parasite species increases with the size of the geographical range in bumblebees, but the effect is statistically only marginally significant in ants. However, non-phylogenetic logistic regressions suggest that bumblebee species with the largest geographical range sizes may have a lower likelihood of harbouring social parasites than do hosts with medium-sized ranges. Our results provide new insights into the ecology and evolution of host–social parasite systems, and indicate that host phylogeny and geographical range size can be used to predict threats posed by social parasites, as well to design efficient conservation measures for both hosts and their parasites. This article is part of the theme issue ‘The coevolutionary biology of brood parasitism: from mechanism to pattern’.

Assessing the diversity, host-specificity and infection patterns of apicomplexan parasites in reptiles from Oman, Arabia

Parasitology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 143 (13) ◽  
pp. 1730-1747 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOÃO P. MAIA ◽  
D. JAMES HARRIS ◽  
SALVADOR CARRANZA ◽  
ELENA GOMÉZ-DÍAZ
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Host Specificity ◽  
Quantitative Pcr ◽  
Parasite Diversity ◽  
Phylogenetic Clustering ◽  
Apicomplexan Parasites ◽  
Host Ecology ◽  
Phylogenetic Framework ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Wild Hosts

SUMMARYUnderstanding the processes that shape parasite diversification, their distribution and abundance provides valuable information on the dynamics and evolution of disease. In this study, we assessed the diversity, distribution, host-specificity and infection patterns of apicomplexan parasites in amphibians and reptiles from Oman, Arabia. Using a quantitative PCR approach we detected three apicomplexan parasites (haemogregarines, lankesterellids and sarcocystids). A total of 13 haemogregarine haplotypes were identified, which fell into four main clades in a phylogenetic framework. Phylogenetic analysis of six new lankesterellid haplotypes revealed that these parasites were distinct from, but phylogenetically related to, knownLankesterellaspecies and might represent new taxa. The percentage of infected hosts (prevalence) and the number of haemogregarines in the blood (parasitaemia) varied significantly between gecko species. We also found significant differences in parasitaemia between haemogregarine parasite lineages (defined by phylogenetic clustering of haplotypes), suggesting differences in host–parasite compatibility between these lineages. ForPristurus rupestris, we found significant differences in haemogregarine prevalence between geographical areas. Our results suggest that host ecology and host relatedness may influence haemogregarine distributions and, more generally, highlight the importance of screening wild hosts from remote regions to provide new insights into parasite diversity.

HOST SPECIFICITY IN PISSODES STROBI (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE): ROLES OF GEOGRAPHY, GENETICS, AND BEHAVIOR

2000 ◽  
Vol 132 (6) ◽  
pp. 811-823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas W. Phillips ◽  
Gerald N. Lanier
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
British Columbia ◽  
Host Specificity ◽  
Sitka Spruce ◽  
Picea Sitchensis ◽  
Host Specialization ◽  
Pinus Monticola ◽  
White Pine ◽  
Eastern White Pine ◽  
Pissodes Strobi

AbstractHost specificity of Pissodes strobi (Peck) from different geographic regions and genetic divergence of local host-associated weevil populations were studied in a series of experiments. Pacific coast P. strobi reared from Sitka spruce, Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr (Pinaceae), were unable to successfully colonize either eastern white pine, Pinus strobus L. (Pinaceae), or western white pine, Pinus monticola Dougl. ex D. Don., in a forced-infestation study on interplanted trees in New York. Reproductively mature field-collected P. strobi from British Columbia did not oviposit on eastern white pine in New York, but field-collected New York weevils successfully reproduced in Sitka spruce leaders in British Columbia. Unacceptability of eastern white pine for western P. strobi was shown to be under genetic control, rather than influenced by prior host experience on Sitka spruce. Pissodes strobi originating from Sitka spruce but reared one generation in the laboratory on the exotic Norway spruce, Picea abies (L.) Karst., were also unable to utilize eastern white pine as a host in a forced-infestation experiment in the field. Population genetic studies using allozyme electrophoresis found that P. strobi populations occurring on different host species within 2 km of each other had significant differences in allele frequencies in three out of four cases. These results suggest that P. strobi can exist as small breeding populations that can facilitate host specialization. Applied research on host resistance against P. strobi could target mechanisms that prevent western P. strobi from utilizing nonhosts such as eastern and western white pines.

scholarly journals Analysis of large new South African dataset using two host-specificity indices shows generalism in both adult and larval ticks of mammals

Parasitology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 143 (3) ◽  
pp. 366-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARCELA P. A. ESPINAZE ◽  
ELÉONORE HELLARD ◽  
IVAN G. HORAK ◽  
GRAEME S. CUMMING
Keyword(s):  
Host Specificity ◽  
South African ◽  
New South ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Host Preferences ◽  
Infestation Intensity ◽  
Host Parasite Interactions ◽  
Host Phylogeny ◽  
Pathogen Control ◽  
Host Parasite

SUMMARYTicks and tick-borne pathogens can have considerable impacts on the health of livestock, wildlife and people. Knowledge of tick–host preferences is necessary for both tick and pathogen control. Ticks were historically considered as specialist parasites, but the range of sampled host species has been limited, infestation intensity has not been included in prior analyses, and phylogenetic distances between hosts have not been previously considered. We used a large dataset of 35 604 individual collections and two host-specificity indices to assess the specificity of 61 South African tick species, as well as distinctions between adult and juvenile ticks, for 95 mammalian hosts. When accounting for host phylogeny, most adult and juvenile ticks behaved as generalists, with juveniles being significantly more generalist than adults. When we included the intensity of tick infestation, ticks exhibited a wider diversity of specificity in all life stages. Our results show that ticks of mammals in South Africa tend to behave largely as generalists and that adult ticks are more host-specific. More generally, our analysis shows that the incorporation of life-stage differences, infestation intensity and phylogenetic distances between hosts, as well as the use of more than one specificity index, can all contribute to a deeper understanding of host–parasite interactions.

Parasitism of oospores of Pythium spp. by strains of Actinoplanes spp.

1993 ◽  
Vol 39 (10) ◽  
pp. 964-972 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. I. Khan ◽  
A. B. Filonow ◽  
L. L. Singleton ◽  
M. E. Payton
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Host Specificity ◽  
Pythium Ultimum ◽  
Pythium Myriotylum ◽  
Pythium Irregulare ◽  
Pythium Arrhenomanes ◽  
Parasite Specificity ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
First Time

Strains of Actinoplanes spp. were evaluated for their in vitro parasitism of oospores of Pythium aphanidermatum, Pythium arrhenomanes, Pythium irregulare, Pythium myriotylum, and Pythium ultimum. Oospores of Pythium arrhenomanes, Pythium irregulare, and Pythium myriotylum were identified for the first time as hosts of Actinoplanes spp. Newly recorded parasites of oospores of Pythium spp. were Actinoplanes azureus, Actinoplanes brasiliensis, Actinoplanes caeruleus, Actinoplanes ferrugineus, Actinoplanes ianthinogenes, Actinoplanes italicus, Actinoplanes minutisporangius, Actinoplanes rectilineatus, Actinoplanes teichomyceticus, Actinoplanes utahensis, Actinoplanes violaceous, Actinoplanes yunnahenis, plus 15 strains of Actinoplanes yet to be speciated. Parasitized oospores had disorganized cytoplasms and hyphae of Actinoplanes sp. emerging from them. Infection of oospores in vitro varied from 0 to > 90%. Strains also were very active parasites of oospores in sterile soils. When added to nonsterile soils, several strains increased (p = 0.05) the level of oospore parasitism compared with nonsupplemented soils. Strains of Actinoplanes spp. exhibited a host specificity for species of Pythium in vitro and in soil. Sporulation of Actinoplanes sp. from infected oospores incubated on soil was frequent and more abundant than that observed in vitro.Key words: Pythium spp., Actinoplanes spp., actinomycetes, biological control, host–parasite specificity.

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