scholarly journals First evidence for an aposematic function of a very common color pattern in small insects

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0237288
Author(s):  
Rebeca Mora-Castro ◽  
Marcela Alfaro-Córdoba ◽  
Marcela Hernández-Jiménez ◽  
Mauricio Fernández Otárola ◽  
Michael Méndez-Rivera ◽  
...  

Many small parasitoid wasps have a black head, an orange mesosoma and a black metasoma (BOB color pattern), which is usually present in both sexes. A likely function of this widespread pattern is aposematic (warning) coloration, but this has never been investigated. To test this hypothesis, we presented spider predators (Lyssomanes jemineus), both field-captured and bred in captivity from eggs, to four wasp genera (Baryconus, Chromoteleia, Macroteleia and Scelio), each genus being represented by a BOB morphospecies and black morphospecies. We also used false prey, consisting of lures made of painted rice grains. Behavioral responses were analyzed with respect to presence or absence of the BOB pattern. In order to better understand the results obtained, two additional studies were performed. First, the reflection spectrum of the cuticle of the wasp and a theoretical visual sensibility of the spider were used to calculate a parameter we called “absorption contrast” that allows comparing the perception contrast between black and orange in each wasp genus as viewed by the spider. Second, acute toxicity trials with the water flea, Daphnia magna, were performed to determine toxicity differences between BOB and non-BOB wasps. At least some of the results suggest that the BOB color pattern may possibly play an aposematic role.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebeca Mora-Castro ◽  
Marcela Alfaro-Córdoba ◽  
Marcela Hernández-Jiménez ◽  
Mauricio Fernández Otárola ◽  
Michael Méndez-Rivera ◽  
...  

AbstractMany small parasitoid wasps have a black-orange-black (BOB) color pattern, which is usually present in both sexes. A likely function of this widespread pattern is aposematic (warning) coloration, but this has never been investigated. To test this hypothesis, we presented spider predators (Lyssomanes jemineus), both field-captured and lab-reared individuals, to a species with the BOB pattern and a congeneric all-black species in each of four scelionid genera (Baryconus, Chromoteleia, Macroteleia and Scelio). Each spider/wasp trial was filmed for 40 minutes under controlled conditions and three behavioral responses (detect, attack, avoid) were recorded in each of 136 trials, never using the same predator and prey more than once. In order to better understand the results obtained, two additional studies were performed. First, the reflection spectrum of the cuticle of the wasp and a theoretical visual sensibility model of the spider were used to calculate a parameter we called “absorption contrast” that allowed us to compare the perception contrast between black and orange in each wasp genus as viewed by the spider. Second, acute toxicity trials with the water flea, Daphnia magna, were performed to determine toxicity differences between BOB and non-BOB wasps. By combining the results from the three types of experiments, together with a statistical analysis, we confirmed that BOB color pattern plays an aposematic role.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 438-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Aalizadeh ◽  
Peter C. von der Ohe ◽  
Nikolaos S. Thomaidis

Prediction of acute toxicity towardsDaphnia magnausing Ant Colony Optimization–Support Vector Machine QSTR models.


Author(s):  
R. M. Sachuk ◽  
S. V. Zhyhalyuk ◽  
I. M. Lukyanik ◽  
M. S. Mandyhra ◽  
Ya. S. Stravsky ◽  
...  

The purpose of the work was to determine, in experiments on rodents, the parameters of acute toxicity, allergenic and locally irritative effects of iodine-containing uterine drug for the treatment and prevention of intrauterine infections of animals. Materials and methods. Preclinical studies of acute toxicity of “Yodosol” containing iodine and potassium iodide were performed on 90 white mice, 30 white outbred rats and 6 rabbits. Clinical, pharmacotoxicological and statistical methods were used. Results of work. It has been found that at intragastric administration in experimental rats and mice, DL50 values exceed 8,000 mg/kg body weight and have no effect on the behavioral responses and physiological parameters of laboratory animals. It has been investigated that “Yodosol” aerosol has no local toxic and irritant effects on the skin and mucous membranes of laboratory animals (rabbits). Conclusions. The use of the drug «Yodosol», in doses above 8,000 mg/kg body weight, does not affect the behavioral responses and physiological parameters of laboratory animals. The drug has no local toxic and irritant effects on the skin and mucous membranes. According to the requirements of SOU 85.2-37-736:2011 and GOST 12.1.007-76, the newly developed drug “Yodosol” belongs to low-toxic substances — 4 toxicity classes


2005 ◽  
Vol 52 (10-11) ◽  
pp. 309-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Arslan-Alaton ◽  
G. Eremektar ◽  
F. Germirli-Babuna ◽  
G. Insel ◽  
H. Selcuk ◽  
...  

In the present study, the decomposition of two biocides used in the textile finishing process with Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) has been studied. Different AOPs, i.e O3/OH−, TiO2/UV-A and Fe2+/H2O2 have been used representing mutually combined components of the chemically and photochemically driven advanced oxidation systems. The course of reaction was examined by changes in chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC) and acute toxicity towards the water flea Daphnia magna (assessed in terms of the effective dilution ratio LD50). Particular attention has been paid to determine the inhibitory effect of raw and ozonated biocides on biological activated sludge consortium at concentrations typically encountered in textile finishing effluents. Significant oxidation and mineralization of both biocides could be achieved employing ozonation at pH=11.5 and heterogeneous photocatalysis (TiO2/UV-A) at pH = 5.0, whereas Fenton's reagent appeared to be less effective in COD and acute toxicity abatement.


The Auk ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 907-919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis F. Baptista ◽  
William I. Boarman ◽  
Paraskevas Kandianidis

Abstract Grayson's Dove (Zenaida graysoni) is extinct in the wild but is still found in aviaries. It has been treated variously as a full species or as a subspecies of the Mourning Dove (Z. macroura). The two taxa differ in shape, color, and color pattern of the rectrices and can be readily distinguished by characteristics of museum skins. They also differ in vocalizations and visual displays. Previous studies described differences in serology. The two taxa interbreed only rarely in captivity. It is proposed that Z. graysoni be recognized as a full species, closely related to Z. macroura.


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