Further evidence of Cretaceous termitophily: Description of new termite hosts of the trichopseniine Cretotrichopsenius (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), with emendations to the classification of lower termites (Isoptera)

Palaeoentomology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 4(4)

Published: Aug. 31, 2021

Termites (Isoptera) are among the most ecologically ubiquitous of terrestrial eusocial insects and provide an attractive environment for symbionts, which have evolved numerous times independently, in lineages as diverse millipedes beetles. Previous studies reported discovery unequivocal termitophily mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar, providing evidence that pushed origin back into Mesozoic. Here we report two more pieces Cretaceous containing individuals trichopseniine rove beetle Cretotrichopsenius burmiticus Cai et al., 2017 (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae: Trichopseniini) preserved together with their potential host termites, further regarding association between these insect lineages. Two new termite species genera described putative hosts C. burmiticus: Arceotermes hospitis Engel & Jiang, gen. sp. nov. Tanytermitalis philetaerus Cai, Each is included a family, Arceotermitidae Engel, fam. (type genus: nov.), Tanytermitidae Tanytermes 2007). In order to better characterize families classification lower Isoptera clade Xylophagodea (= Cryptocercidae + Isoptera) emended following taxa: Idanotermitinae subfam. nov.; Melqartitermitidae Mylacrotermitidae Krishnatermitidae Cosmotermitinae Hodotermopsinae Artisoptera minord. Cryptocercaptera infraord. Lower termites were remarkably during but declined diversity considerably by Palaeogene. The fossil currently provides earliest definitive complex beetles termites.

Language: Английский

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Evolution and systematics of the Aculeata and kin (Hymenoptera), with emphasis on the ants (Formicoidea: †@@@idae fam. nov., Formicidae)

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 25, 2022

ABSTRACT Fossils provide unique opportunity to understand the tempo and mode of evolution are essential for modeling history lineage diversification. Here, we interrogate Mesozoic fossil record Aculeata, with emphasis on ants (Formicidae), conduct an extended series ancestral state estimation exercises distributions tip-dated combined-evidence phylogenies. We developed illustrated from ground-up a 576 morphological characters which scored 144 extant 431 taxa, including all families Trigonaloidea, Evanioidea, †Ephialtitoidea. used average posterior probability support guide composition target matrix 303 integrated strongly filtered ultraconserved element (UCE) data 115 living species. also implemented reversible jump MCMC (rjMCMC) hidden methods model complex behavioral test hypotheses about pathway obligate eusociality. In addition revising higher classification sampled groups family or subfamily level using estimated character polarities diagnose nodes across phylogeny, find that mid-Cretaceous genera † Camelomecia Camelosphecia form clade is robustly supported as sister Formicidae. For this reason, name extinct †@@@idae fam. nov. definition expanded Formicoidea. Based our results, recognize three major phases in early ants: (1) origin Formicoidea ground-adapted huntresses during Late Jurassic “stinging aggressor” guild (Aculeata) among various lineages “sneaking parasitoids” (non-aculeate Vespina); (2) first formicoid radiation Early Cretaceous, by end linages originated; (3) turnover at end-Cretaceous leading second radiation. conclude concentrated considerations future directions study dataset beyond.

Language: Английский

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Alarm communication predates eusociality in termites

Communications Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 6(1)

Published: Jan. 21, 2023

Termites (Blattodea: Isoptera) have evolved specialized defensive strategies for colony protection. Alarm communication enables workers to escape threats while soldiers are recruited the source of disturbance. Here, we study vibroacoustic and chemical alarm in wood roach Cryptocercus 20 termite species including seven nine families, all life-types, feeding nesting habits. Our multidisciplinary approach shows that vibratory signals represent an ethological synapomorphy termites Cryptocercus. In contrast, alarms independently several cockroach groups at least twice termites. Vibroacoustic signaling patterns most complex Neoisoptera, which they often combined with signals. The characters correlate phylogenetic position, food type hardness, foraging area size, Overall, Neoisoptera developed sophisticated system amongst termites, potentially contributing their ecological success.

Language: Английский

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Characteristic processes of human evolution caused the Anthropocene and may obstruct its global solutions

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 379(1893)

Published: Nov. 13, 2023

We propose that the global environmental crises of Anthropocene are outcome a ratcheting process in long-term human evolution which has favoured groups increased size and greater exploitation. To explore this hypothesis, we review changes ecological niche. Evidence indicates growth niche been facilitated by group-level cultural traits for control. Following logic, sustaining biosphere under intense use will probably require traits, including legal technical systems. investigate conditions traits. estimate our species does not exhibit adequate population structure to evolve these Our analysis suggests characteristic patterns created work against collective solutions challenges it poses. illustrate implications theory with alternative evolutionary paths humanity. conclude must alter longstanding avoid disaster escalating between-group competition. an applied research policy programme goal avoiding outcomes. This article is part theme issue ‘Evolution sustainability: gathering strands synthesis’.

Language: Английский

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Insights into the toxicity, behavioral responses, biochemical activity, and molecular docking of three Cymbopogon essential oils and their major constituents on Reticulitermes flaviceps

Industrial Crops and Products, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 214, P. 118563 - 118563

Published: April 18, 2024

Language: Английский

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Soil organic matter is essential for colony growth in subterranean termites

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Oct. 28, 2021

Abstract Intrinsic dinitrogen (N 2 ) fixation by diazotrophic bacteria in termite hindguts has been considered an important pathway for nitrogen acquisition termites. However, studies that supported this claim focused on measuring instant N rates and failed to address their relationship with colony growth reproduction over time. We here argue not all wood-feeding termites rely symbiotic growth. The present study looks at dietary a subterranean (Rhinotermitidae, Coptotermes ). Young colonies reared wood nitrogen-rich organic soil developed faster, compared those inorganic sand. More critically, further development was arrested if access removed. In addition, no difference of relative nitrogenase expression found when comparing the between two conditions. therefore propose (Rhinotermitidae) is longer restricted metabolically expensive intrinsic fixation, as may primarily be trophic rather than symbiotic. Such reliance Rhinotermitidae microbial decomposition activity optimal also have had critical mechanistic role initial emergence Termitidae.

Language: Английский

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Eusociality and the transition from biparental to alloparental care in termites

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 36(12), P. 3049 - 3059

Published: Sept. 16, 2022

Abstract In eusocial organisms, cooperative brood care within a colony represents situation where the ancestral parental duties have shifted away from reproductive parent(s) towards their offspring. The shift to alloparental was often instrumental in initial emergence of eusociality, as it ultimately contributed establishment division labour. Remarkably, taxa such ants and termites, which still display an independent foundation phase, must go through obligatory period, temporary subsocial family unit. termites specifically, incipient inherently remains woodroach unit until is established. Colony success can then be limited by series factors that may include environmental, behavioural, symbiotic physiological constraints. this study, 450 termite colonies ( Coptotermes gestroi ) were established investigate timing changes founders during transition biparental care. Results showed finite internal nutritional resources alates carry dispersal flight are primary limiting factor for successful establishment. queen king rapidly establish (<150 days) first cohort offspring reach or simply run out die. Alates, therefore, just enough produce few alloparents (< 15 workers) prime system ergonomic growth, with definitive solely functions. Eusocial insect traits optimized three successive functions life cycle colony: alate (sexual reproduction), (parental care) growth (increased egg production maturity). However, results suggest trade‐offs involving these appear primarily favour ones (quantity vs. quality alates), founder(s) minimal no room inefficiency they fully rely on further output. insects may, reflect evolutionary subsociality eusociality. Read free Plain Language Summary article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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Protist symbionts of termites: diversity, distribution, and coevolution

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 99(2), P. 622 - 652

Published: Dec. 17, 2023

ABSTRACT The symbiosis between termites and their hindgut protists is mutually obligate vertically inherited. It was established by the late Jurassic in cockroach ancestors of as they transitioned to wood feeding. Since then, protist symbionts have been transmitted from host generation proctodeal trophallaxis (anal feeding). belong multiple lineages within eukaryotic superphylum Metamonada. Most these evolved large cells with complex morphology, unlike non‐termite‐associated species richness taxonomic composition symbiotic communities varies widely across termite lineages, especially deep‐branching clade Teletisoptera. In general, closely related tend harbour protists, reflecting broad‐scale co‐diversification. A closer view, however, reveals a distribution hosts. Some taxa are common, some rare, widespread, restricted single family or genus. can be found only few, distantly related, species. Thus, long history co‐diversification this has complicated lineage‐specific loss symbionts, transfer one lineage another, independent diversification relative This review aims introduce biology important serve gateway diversity systematics literature for both protists. searchable database all termite‐protist occurrence records references provided supplementary file encourage facilitate new research field.

Language: Английский

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Mycophagy: A Global Review of Interactions between Invertebrates and Fungi

Journal of Fungi, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(2), P. 163 - 163

Published: Jan. 26, 2023

Fungi are diverse organisms that occupy important niches in natural settings and agricultural settings, acting as decomposers, mutualists, parasites pathogens. Interactions between fungi other organisms, specifically invertebrates, understudied. Their numbers also severely underestimated. Invertebrates exist many of the same spaces known to engage fungal feeding or mycophagy. This review aims provide a comprehensive, global view mycophagy invertebrates bring attention areas need more research, by prospecting existing literature. Separate searches on Web Science were performed using terms “mycophagy” “fungivore”. Invertebrate species corresponding extracted from articles retrieved, whether research was field- laboratory-based, location observation if field-based. Articles excluded they did not list at least genus identification for both invertebrates. The search yielded 209 papers covering seven phyla 19 invertebrate orders. Ascomycota Basidiomycota most represented whereas Coleoptera Diptera make up observations. Most field-based observations originated North America Europe. Research is lacking some phyla, orders, geographic regions.

Language: Английский

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Resource adaptation drives the size–complexity rule in termites

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291(2014)

Published: Jan. 10, 2024

The size–complexity rule posits that the evolution of larger cooperative groups should favour more division labour. Examples include cell types in multicellular organisms, and polymorphic castes eusocial colonies. However, a correlation between labour group size may reflect shared response both traits to resource availability and/or profitability. Here, this possibility was addressed by investigating sterile caste number (worker soldier morphotypes) termites, major clade insects which drivers polymorphism are poorly understood. A novel dataset on 90 termite species compiled from published literature. analysis showed did increase markedly with colony size. after controlling for adaptations phylogeny, there no evidence relationship. Rather, increased increasing nest–food separation decreased soil-feeding, through changes worker (but not soldier) morphotype number. Further, separation, thus driving false These findings support adaptation higher energy acquisition as key rise complex insect societies, being by-product.

Language: Английский

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