scholarly journals Nonintegrated Host Association ofMyrmecophilus tetramorii, a Specialist Myrmecophilous Ant Cricket (Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae)

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Komatsu ◽  
Munetoshi Maruyama ◽  
Takao Itino
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Observation ◽  
Host Association ◽  
Tetramorium Tsushimae ◽  
Main Host ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Ant Guests

Myrmecophilusant crickets (Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae) are typical ant guests. In Japan, about 10 species are recognized on the basis of morphological and molecular phylogenetic frameworks. Some of these species have restricted host ranges and behave intimately toward their host ant species (i.e., they are host specialist). We focused on one species,M. tetramorii, which uses the myrmicine antTetramorium tsushimaeas its main host. All but oneM. tetramoriiindividuals were collected specifically from nests ofT. tsushimaein the field. However, behavioral observation showed that all individuals used in the experiment received hostile reactions from the host ants. There were no signs of intimate behaviors such as grooming of hosts or receipt of mouth-to-mouth feeding from hosts, which are seen in some host-specialistMyrmecophilusspecies among obligate host-ant species. Therefore, it may be thatM. tetramoriiis the species that is specialized to exploit the host by means other than chemical integration.

scholarly journals Two Cleptoparasitic Ant Crickets (Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae) That Share Similar Host Ant Species Differentiate Their Habitat Use in Areas of Sympatry in Japan

Sociobiology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 364
Author(s):  
Takashi Komatsu ◽  
Munetoshi Maruyama ◽  
Takao Itino
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Habitat Preference ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Limited Sampling ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Habitat Differentiation ◽  
Potential Competitor ◽  
Ant Guests ◽  
Open Versus

Myrmecophilus crickets (Myrmecophilidae, Orthoptera) are typical ant guests. In Japan, about 10 species are recognized on the basis of morphological and molecular phylogenetic frameworks. We focused on two of these species, M. kinomurai and M. kubotai, and compared their host and habitat use. Previous work based on a limited sampling effort suggested that these two species share some ant species as hosts, but that their habitat (open versus shaded) preferences differ. Here, on the basis of exhaustive sampling across Japan, we confirmed that M. kinomurai and M. kubotai do not differ in their host ant preferences: both prefer formicine ants as hosts. As for habitat preferences, M. kubotai occurred significantly more often in open habitats than in shaded ones (P < 0.05). In contrast, M. kinomurai showed no habitat preference in areas where M. kubotai did not occur. However, M. kinomurai showed an obvious preference for shaded environments in areas of sympatry with its potential competitor M. kubotai. This pattern suggests that interspecific competition between M. kinomurai and M. Kubotai is a factor causing habitat differentiation in areas of sympatry.

scholarly journals Fleas (Siphonaptera) are Cretaceous, and Evolved with Theria

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiyun Zhu ◽  
Michael W Hastriter ◽  
Michael F Whiting ◽  
Katharina Dittmar
Keyword(s):  
Northeast Asia ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Phylogenetic Study ◽  
Host Association ◽  
Host Group ◽  
Biogeographical Distribution ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic Study ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Fossil Records

Fleas (order Siphonaptera) are highly-specialized, diverse blood-feeding ectoparasites of mammals and birds with an enigmatic evolutionary history and obscure origin. We here present a molecular phylogenetic study based on a comprehensive taxon sampling of 259 flea taxa, representing 16 of the 18 extant families of this order. A Bayesian phylogenetic tree with strong nodal support was recovered, consisting of seven sequentially derived lineages with Macropsyllidae as the earliest divergence, followed by Stephanocircidae. Divergence times of flea lineages were estimated based on fossil records and host specific associations to bats (Chiroptera), suggesting that the common ancestor of extant Siphonaptera diversified during the Cretaceous. However, most of the intraordinal divergence into extant lineages took place after the K-Pg boundary. Ancestral states of host association and biogeographical distribution were reconstructed, suggesting with high likelihood that fleas originated in the southern continents (Gondwana) and migrated from South America to their extant distributions in a relatively short time frame. Theria (placental mammals and marsupials) represent the most likely ancestral host group of extant Siphonaptera, with marsupials occupying a more important role than previously assumed. Major extant flea families evolved in connection to post K-Pg diversification of Placentalia. The association of fleas with monotremes and birds is likely due to later secondary host association. These results suggest caution in casually interpreting recently discovered Mesozoic fossil ?dinosaur fleas? of Northeast Asia as part of what we currently consider Siphonaptera.

Behavioral Assessment of Social Interactions in Natural Settings

1996 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Santoyo
Keyword(s):  
Social Skills ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Behavioral Assessment ◽  
Behavioral Observation ◽  
Social Responsiveness ◽  
Social Agents ◽  
Social Effectiveness ◽  
Natural Settings

The present paper deals with behavioral assessment of social interaction in natural settings. The design of observational systems that allow the identification of the direction, contents, quality and social agents involved in a social interchange is an aim of social interaction assessment and research. In the first part a description of a system of behavioral observation of social interaction is presented. This system permits the identification of the above mentioned aspects. Secondly a strategy for the behavioral assessment of social skills is described. This strategy is based on the consequences and effects of social interaction, and it is supported by three basic processes: social effectiveness, social responsiveness and reciprocity.

Systematics of Hymenophyllum subgenus Mecodium (Hymenophyllaceae) in Taiwan

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 753-767
Author(s):  
Tian-Chuan Hsu ◽  
Yu-Fang Huang ◽  
Yi-Shan Chao
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Common Element ◽  
Morphological Investigation ◽  
Eastern Asia ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
The Status ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Independent Species

Abstract—Hymenophyllum subg. Mecodium, composed of the taxonomically notorious H. polyanthos and approximately 15 other closely related taxa, is a common element of filmy fern communities in the tropical and subtropical moist forests. In Taiwan, although only H. polyanthos and one or two closely related taxa were recognized in recent studies, considerable morphological variation has been observed among populations throughout the island. Thus, we conducted an extensive morphological investigation, as well as a molecular phylogenetic analysis, to clarify the specific diversity and phylogenetic relationships within Hymenophyllum subg. Mecodium in Taiwan. Field and herbaria surveys helped in recognizing five morphs in Taiwan, mainly differentiated by the combination of certain traits, viz., the presence or absence of stipe wings, general frond size and shape, degree of laminar crispation, sori position, and involucre shape. The different morphs had diverse ecological preferences. The phylogenetic tree, inferred from the sequences of the plastid loci rbcL and rps4-trnS, demonstrated that Hymenophyllum subg. Mecodium materials in Taiwan comprise several well-supported lineages, mostly corresponding to the classification based on morphology. Comparing with the protologues and type specimens of 34 related scientific names, the five morphs are herein recognized as five independent species. A new species, Hymenophyllum exquisitum, is described here. Also, the status of H. paniculiflorum is reconfirmed and that of H. fujisanense, H. parallelocarpum, and H. punctisorum reinstated. Only H. exquisitum and H. parallelocarpum are endemic to Taiwan among all the species studied. In addition, the names Hymenophyllum blumeanum, H. integrum, H. microsorum, H. polyanthos, H. tenellum, and H. wrightii are now excluded from the regional flora, and several related taxa from China, Taiwan, and the Philippines are treated as synonyms. This study unravels the deep phylogenetic relationships within Hymenophyllum subg. Mecodium in Taiwan and Eastern Asia.

Transfer of the Kobresia taxa of the flora of Russia and adjacent countries to the genus Carex (Cyperaceae)

2020 ◽  
pp. 125-129
Author(s):  
D. G. Melnikov ◽  
L. I. Krupkina
Keyword(s):  
International Collaboration ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Phylogenetic Studies ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
New Nomenclatural Combinations

Based on the published data of molecular phylogenetic studies of the tribe Cariceae Dumort. genera (Cyperaceae), obtained by an international collaboration (The Global Carex Group, 2016; et al.), and morphological characters of the genera (Kukkonen, 1990; and others), new nomenclatural combinations and replacement names in the genus Carex L. are published for 11 species, one subspecies and two sections previously included in the genus Kobresia Willd.

Systematics and evolution of Lentibulariaceae: III. Utricularia

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard W. Jobson ◽  
Paulo C. Baleeiro ◽  
Cástor Guisande
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Oceanic Islands ◽  
Vulnerable Species ◽  
Phylogenetic Studies ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic

Utricularia is a morphologically and ecologically diverse genus currently comprising more than 230 species divided into three subgenera—Polypompholyx, Utricularia, and Bivalvaria—and 35 sections. The genus is distributed worldwide except on the poles and most oceanic islands. The Neotropics has the highest species diversity, followed by Australia. Compared to its sister genera, Utricularia has undergone greater rates of speciation, which are linked to its extreme morphological flexibility that has resulted in the evolution of habitat-specific forms: terrestrial, rheophytic, aquatic, lithophytic, and epiphytic. Molecular phylogenetic studies have resolved relationships for 44% of the species across 80% of the sections. Scant data are available for phylogeography or population-level processes such as gene flow, hybridization, or pollination. Because nearly 90% of the species are endemics, data are urgently needed to determine how to protect vulnerable species and their habitats.

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