scholarly journals The Biodiversity of Water Mites That Prey on and Parasitize Mosquitoes

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 226
Author(s):  
Adrian A. Vasquez ◽  
Bana A. Kabalan ◽  
Jeffrey L. Ram ◽  
Carol J. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Water Mites ◽  
Ecological Functions ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Parasitic Mite ◽  
Aquatic Food ◽  
Parasitic Interactions ◽  
Mite Predator

Water mites form one of the most biodiverse groups within the aquatic arachnid class. These freshwater macroinvertebrates are predators and parasites of the equally diverse nematocerous Dipterans, such as mosquitoes, and water mites are believed to have diversified as a result of these predatory and parasitic relationships. Through these two major biotic interactions, water mites have been found to greatly impact a variety of mosquito species. Although these predatory and parasitic interactions are important in aquatic ecology, very little is known about the diversity of water mites that interact with mosquitoes. In this paper, we review and update the past literature on the predatory and parasitic mite–mosquito relationships, update past records, discuss the biogeographic range of these interactions, and add our own recent findings on this topic conducted in habitats around the Laurentian Great Lakes. The possible impact on human health, along with the importance of water mite predator–prey dynamics in aquatic food webs, motivates an increase in future research on this aquatic predator and parasite and may reveal novel ecological functions that these parasitic and predator–prey relationships mediate.

scholarly journals Trigona branneri (Hymenoptera: Apidae) as a Collector of Honeydew from Aethalion reticulatum (Hemiptera: Aethalionidae) on Bauhinia forficata (Fabaceae: Caesalpinoideae) in a Brazilian Savanna

Sociobiology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gudryan Baronio ◽  
Ana Carolina Vieira Pires ◽  
Camila Aoki
Keyword(s):  
Agonistic Behavior ◽  
Stingless Bees ◽  
Brazilian Savanna ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Ecological Functions ◽  
Bauhinia Forficata

The presence of aggregates of A. reticulatum on Bauhinia has been reported, but the insects were mainly attended by ants of the genus Camponotus, and stingless bees were not regularly recorded in aggregations. We observed a colony of thetreehopper A. reticulatum and stingless bees, Trigona branneri, interacting on Bauhinia forficata (Fabaceae). Agonistic behavior was observed in bees when another individual of the same species or ants approached. Although this is not proof that the interaction between stingless bees and treehoppers is mutualistic, the interactions between ants and this insect are common and mutualistic. Thus, if T. branneri effectively provides protection for the aphids, a new mutualism can be the focus of future research to determine if the bee-aphid interactions have same ecological functions as the ant-aphid interactions.

Species’ Invasions

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Townsend Peterson ◽  
Jorge Soberón ◽  
Richard G. Pearson ◽  
Robert P. Anderson ◽  
Enrique Martínez-Meyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Niche Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Ecological Niche Models ◽  
Species Invasions ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Native And Introduced Ranges ◽  
Niche Models

This chapter discusses the use of ecological niche modeling to study species invasions, and more specifically to identify and understand genuine exceptions to ecological niche equivalency between native and introduced ranges of species. In addition, it examines the degree to which the geographic course of species’ invasions can be anticipated based on scenopoetic variables and biotic interactions. The chapter also reviews practical considerations that must be taken into account when exploring the utility of ecological niche models in understanding species’ invasions, such as using niche conservatism to predict likely changes in the distributional potential of invasive species under scenarios of changing environmental conditions. Finally, it describes caveats and limitations of the approach and outlines future research directions and challenges involved in the application of niche modeling ideas in species invasions.

Ecological Interactions and Macroevolution: A New Field with Old Roots

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 215-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
David H. Hembry ◽  
Marjorie G. Weber
Keyword(s):  
Species Interactions ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Evolutionary Change ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Work Done ◽  
Lineage Diversification

Linking interspecific interactions (e.g., mutualism, competition, predation, parasitism) to macroevolution (evolutionary change on deep timescales) is a key goal in biology. The role of species interactions in shaping macroevolutionary trajectories has been studied for centuries and remains a cutting-edge topic of current research. However, despite its deep historical roots, classic and current approaches to this topic are highly diverse. Here, we combine historical and contemporary perspectives on the study of ecological interactions in macroevolution, synthesizing ideas across eras to build a zoomed-out picture of the big questions at the nexus of ecology and macroevolution. We discuss the trajectory of this important and challenging field, dividing research into work done before the 1970s, research between 1970 and 2005, and work done since 2005. We argue that in response to long-standing questions in paleobiology, evidence accumulated to date has demonstrated that biotic interactions (including mutualism) can influence lineage diversification and trait evolution over macroevolutionary timescales, and we outline major open questions for future research in the field.

scholarly journals Water Mite Diversity (Acariformes: Prostigmata: Parasitengonina: Hydrachnidiae) from Karst Ecosystems in Southern of Mexico: A Barcoding Approach

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 329
Author(s):  
Lucia Montes-Ortiz ◽  
Manuel Elías-Gutiérrez
Keyword(s):  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Dna Barcodes ◽  
Water Mites ◽  
Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Putative Species ◽  
Karst Ecosystems ◽  
Molecular Information ◽  
Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase

Water mites represent the most diverse and abundant group of Arachnida in freshwater ecosystems, with about 6000 species described; however, it is estimated that this number represents only 30% of the total expected species. Despite having strong biotic interactions with their community and having the potential to be exceptional bioindicators, they are frequently excluded from studies of water quality or ecology, due to actual and perceived difficulties of taxonomic identification in this group. The objective of this study is to use the variations in the sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), also known as the DNA barcodes region, as a tool to assess the diversity of water mites at 24 sites in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. We found 77 genetic groups or putative species corresponding to 18 genera: Arrenurus, Atractides, Centrolimnesia, Eylais, Geayia, Hydrodroma, Hydryphantes, Hygrobates, Koenikea, Krendowskia, Limnesia, Limnochares, Mamersellides, Mideopsis, Neumania, Piona, Torrenticola, and Unionicola. This was significant, since there are only 35 species described for this region. Furthermore, this molecular information has allowed us to infer that there are characteristic assemblies per site. These data will facilitate the incorporation of water mites in different studies while the curatorial work continues to assign a Linnaean name.

The direct and indirect effects of temperature on a predator–prey relationship

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (10) ◽  
pp. 1834-1841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael T Anderson ◽  
Joseph M Kiesecker ◽  
Douglas P Chivers ◽  
Andrew R Blaustein
Keyword(s):  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Prey Capture ◽  
Prey Size ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Prey Mass ◽  
Effects Of Temperature ◽  
Logistic Regression Equation ◽  
Probability Of Capture

Abiotic factors may directly influence community structure by influencing biotic interactions. In aquatic systems, where gape-limited predators are common, abiotic factors that influence organisms' growth rates potentially mediate predator–prey interactions indirectly through effects on prey size. We tested the hypothesis that temperature influences interactions between aquatic size-limited insect predators (Notonecta kirbyi) and their larval anuran prey (Hyla regilla) beyond its indirect effect on prey size. Notonecta kirbyi and H. regilla were raised and tested in predator–prey trials at one of three experimentally maintained temperatures, 9.9, 20.7, or 25.7°C. Temperature strongly influenced anuran growth and predator success; mean tadpole mass over time was positively related to temperature, while the number of prey caught was negatively related. At higher temperatures tadpoles attained greater mass more quickly, allowing them to avoid capture by notonectids. However, the probability of capture is a function of both mass and temperature; temperature was a significant explanatory variable in a logistic regression equation predicting prey capture. For a given prey mass, tadpoles raised in warmer water experienced a higher probability of capture by notonectids. Thus, rather than being static, prey size refugia are influenced directly by abiotic factors, in this case temperature. This suggests that temperature exerts differential effects on notonectid and larval anurans, leading to differences in the probability of prey capture for a given prey mass. Therefore, temperature can influence predator–prey interactions via indirect effects on prey size and direct effects on prey.

scholarly journals Comparative proteomics reveals complex insecticides-associated resistance mechanism of Culex pipiens pallens Coquillett

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chongxing Zhang ◽  
Feng Miao ◽  
Qiqi Shi ◽  
Peng Cheng ◽  
Tao Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insecticide Resistance ◽  
Differential Expression ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Resistance Mechanism ◽  
Susceptible Strain ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Protein Profiles ◽  
Metabolic Resistance ◽  
Pipiens Pallens

Abstract Background: Mosquito control based on chemical insecticides is considered as an important element in the current global strategies for the control of mosquito-borne diseases. Unfortunately, the development of insecticide resistance of important vector mosquito species jeopardizes the effectiveness of insecticide-based mosquito control. As opposed to target site resistance, other mechanisms are far from being fully understood.Results: Susceptible strain of Cx. pipiens pallen showed elevated resistance levels to after 25 generations insecticide-selected, through bioinformatics analysis allowed detecting 2,502 proteins, of which 1513 were differentially expression in insecticide-selected strains as compared to the susceptible strain. Finally, midgut differential expression protein profiles and 62 proteins were selected for verification of differential expression using parallel reaction monitoring strategy.Conclusions Significant molecular resources were developed for Cx. pipiens pallen potential candidates involved in metabolic resistance as well as those participating in lower penetration or sequestration of insecticide. Global protein profiles of change to three insecticide strains combined with midgut profiles revealed multiple insecticide resistance mechanisms operate simultaneously in resistant insects of Cx. pipiens pallens. Future research that is targeted towards RNA interference on the identified metabolic targets such as cuticular, cytochrome P450s and glutathione S-transferase proteins could lay the foundation for a better understanding of the genetic basis of insecticide resistance in Cx. pipiens pallen.

Reduced avian predation on an ultraviolet-fluorescing caterpillar model

2022 ◽  
Vol 154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chapin Czarnecki ◽  
Rea Manderino ◽  
Dylan Parry
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
New York State ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Uv Fluorescence ◽  
Uv Reflectance ◽  
Plasticine Models ◽  
Fluorescent Paint

Abstract Many caterpillars exhibit patterns of ultraviolet (UV) fluorescence, although its purpose is unclear. We used realistic plasticine models of a fluorescing caterpillar species, the Polyphemus moth, Antheraea polyphemus (Lepidoptera; Saturniidae), adorned with fluorescent paint treatments and unpainted controls to quantify bird predation in two hardwood forested regions of New York State, United States of America. In separate field studies, significantly more birds struck deployed model caterpillars that had no UV fluorescence. More strikes on unpainted and clear paint treatments suggest paint itself did not impact predation, whereas similar predation attempts on bird and human-visible fluorescent dummies suggest that UV fluorescence and not UV reflectance was responsible for the observed effect. A second study found the dummy’s location on the tree was also important, but the low number of bird strikes limited analyses. Although our results do not identify a mechanism, fluorescence may function to deter or avoid predation. Our study contributes to a growing body of work investigating the importance of UV patterns in arthropods and highlights a potentially fruitful area of future research on predator–prey relations.

scholarly journals Aquatic food webs in mangrove and seagrass habitats of Centla Wetland, a Biosphere Reserve in Southeastern Mexico

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Mendoza-Carranza ◽  
David J Hoeinghaus ◽  
Alexandre M Garcia ◽  
Ángel Romero-Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Food Web ◽  
Food Webs ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Isotope Ratios ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
Aquatic Food Webs ◽  
Aquatic Food

Mangrove and seagrass habitats are important components of tropical coastal zones worldwide, and are conspicuous habitats of Centla Wetland Biosphere Reserve (CWBR) in Tabasco, Mexico. In this study, we examine food webs in mangrove- and seagrass-dominated habitats of CWBR using stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen. Our objective was to identify the importance of carbon derived from mangroves and seagrasses to secondary production of aquatic consumers in this poorly studied conservation area. Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of basal sources and aquatic consumers indicated that the species-rich food webs of both habitats are dependent on riparian production sources. The abundant Red mangrove Rhizophora mangle appears to be a primary source of carbon for the mangrove creek food web. Even though dense seagrass beds were ubiquitous, most consumers in the lagoon food web appeared to rely on carbon derived from riparian vegetation (e.g. Phragmites australis). The introduced Amazon sailfin catfish Pterygoplichthys pardalis had isotope signatures overlapping with native species (including high-value fisheries species), suggesting potential competition for resources. Future research should examine the role played by terrestrial insects in linking riparian and aquatic food webs, and impacts of the expanding P. pardalis population on ecosystem function and fisheries in CWBR. Our findings can be used as a baseline to reinforce the conservation and management of this important reserve in the face of diverse external and internal human impacts.

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