Paratrechina

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Paratrechina
Paratrechina longicornis casent0134863 profile 1.jpg
Paratrechina longicornis (longhorn crazy ant) worker
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Formicinae
Tribe: Lasiini
Genus: Paratrechina
Motschulsky, 1863
Type species
Paratrechina currens
Motschoulsky, 1863
Diversity [1]
6 species

Paratrechina is one of seven ant genera (alongside Euprenolepis, Nylanderia, Paraparatrechina, Prenolepis, Pseudolasius, and Zatania ) in the Prenolepis genus-group from the subfamily Formicinae (tribe Lasiini). Six species are included in Paratrechina; one of which, the longhorn crazy ant ( Paratrechina longicornis ), is a widespread, pantropical pest. [2]

Contents

Species

Distribution

Most Paratrechina species are native to sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar, [3] but one species, Paratrechina umbra, has only been found in southern China and is native to Southeast Asia. [4] The only species found outside of these regions is Paratrechina longicornis, which has been introduced by humans to tropical areas across the globe. [5] The native range of Paratrechina longicornis is currently unknown, but it is thought to be of either African or Asian origin. Although Paratrechina longicornis has been found in undisturbed habitats in Southeast Asia, [5] the Afrotropics are the center of Paratrechina diversity. [3] Paratrechina zanjensis, the purported sister species to Paratrechina longicornis, is found specifically in miombo woodlands across central and eastern Africa (including Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique), and Paratrechina longicornis is also considered a woodland specialist. [2]

Taxonomy

In 2010, the genus Paratrechina was discovered to be paraphyletic with respect to the subgenus Nylanderia, which was then elevated to full generic status. [6] This taxonomic change resulted in Paratrechina becoming monotypic with Paratrechina longicornis as its sole species. A taxonomic review of Paratrechina in 2013 resulted in the description of another species from Africa, called Paratrechina zanjensis, and in 2014 the central African species Paratrechina kohli was transferred from Prenolepis and two more new species from Madagascar were described: Paratrechina ankarana and Paratrechina antsingy. [2] [3] The last taxonomic change to the genus was in 2016 when the Southeast Asian species Paratrechina umbra was transferred from Prenolepis, bringing Paratrechina to a total count of six species. This includes the ant commonly known as a "sugar ant", or "concrete ant". Not to be confused with pavement ants, as these are a separate species of ant. [4]

Morphology

Workers

Paratrechina species are most readily recognized by their gracile appearance due to their elongate scapes (first antennal segment), head, tibiae, and mesosoma. They also have erect macrosetae on the pronotum and mesonotum, but not the propodeum. [2] [3] The mesonotal and metanotal sutures of the mesosoma are always deep and complete, dividing those parts of the body into distinct segments. These sutures are useful for distinguishing Paratrechina from three other closely related genera: Paraparatrechina, Prenolepis, and Zatania. [4] Euprenolepis, Nylanderia, and Pseudolasius also have these deep and complete sutures and together form a clade with Paratrechina. [6] Paratrechina species are very similar in appearance to those of Nylanderia, but may be distinguished by the placement of the compound eyes on the head. Nylanderia always have eyes placed to the anterior of the midline of the head, while the eyes of Paratrechina species (except Paratrechina umbra, which also has anteriorly placed eyes) are placed slightly posterior to the midline. [4] Nylanderia are also known to always have six teeth on the masticatory margin of the mandible, while most Paratrechina species have five; exceptions being Paratrechina kohli, which has eight, and Paratrechina umbra, which has six. [3] [4] [7]

Reproductives

Paratrechina queens and males are known only from Paratrechina longicornis and have not been described for any other species within the genus. The males of Paratrechina longicornis are quite distinct from those of closely related genera. Compared to those of Prenolepis and Zatania, males of Paratrechina longicornis have much shorter, more robust parameres. The parameres also have a more dorsal orientation and curvature, making them especially unique among Prenolepis genus-group males. [2] [3]

Larvae

In comparison with larvae of Nylanderia species, those of Paratrechina longicornis in the corresponding instars generally appear to be smaller in overall body size. Larvae of Paratrechina longicornis also show little variation in mandible shape and high variation in head setation patterns. [8]

Reproductive biology

While most ant species exhibit arrhenotokous parthenogenesis in which diploid, fertilized eggs become females (workers or queens), and haploid, unfertilized eggs become males, Paratrechina longicornis is one of several ant species also known to be thelytokous, and queens can additionally produce female offspring asexually. [9] As a result, sibling mating allows recombination of alleles without increasing deleterious homozygosity and bypasses the downsides of inbreeding because the genomes of the queens and males within a colony are not linked. [10]

Symbiosis

See also: Myrmecophily

Mutualism

Some species of Paratrechina have been reported to engage in mutualistic association with caterpillars of Eurybia elvina , a metalmark butterfly. The ants are attracted to the tentacle nectary organ of the caterpillars, which produces exudates rich in sugar and amino acids. [11] The ants are thought to provide protection to the caterpillars against natural enemies in return for this source of nutrition. However, it is important to note that this observation was made in 1987, long before major taxonomic changes to the genus in 2010. The publication that describes this mutualistic behavior does not specify which Paratrechina species engaged in this behavior, and the only Paratrechina species currently known from Mexico, where this behavior was documented, is the exotic pest, the longhorn crazy ant ( Paratrechina longicornis.). All other species in Mexico that were thought to be Paratrechina at the time of this publication (1987) are now classified as Nylanderia species. [6] While it is possible that at least one of the species tending Eurybia elvina was Paratrechina longicornis, this is impossible to confirm from the original publication. [11]

Twenty-seven genera of Actinomycetota have been found in association with Paratrechina longicornis colonies and the soils surrounding their nests. These microorganisms often provide benefits to insects by protecting them from pathogens. [12]

Kleptoparasitism

Myrmecophilous, kleptoparasitic ant crickets of the species Myrmecophilus americanus are closely associated with Paratrechina longicornis nests from localities in tropics all around the world. Ant crickets live inside of ant nests and steal food resources, presumably through trophallaxis with worker ants. All known cases of ants in association with this ant cricket except one involve Paratrechina longicornis as the host ant species. The body of Myrmecophilus americanus is similar in overall size and shape to the gaster of Paratrechina longicornis queens, indicating that this may be a form of mimicry that reduces the chances that the cricket will be detected within the colony. [13]

The longhorn crazy ant (Paratrechina longicornis) made an appearance as one of the companion species to the eponymous superhero in the Marvel movie, Ant-Man (2015). [14] Although the film refers to the species as Paratrechina longicornis, the CGI-rendered ants and their behaviors in the movie arguably hold more resemblance to the Rasberry/tawny crazy ant. ( Nylanderia fulva ). [15] [16]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Formicinae</span> Subfamily of ants

The Formicinae are a subfamily within the Formicidae containing ants of moderate evolutionary development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trophobiosis</span>

Trophobiosis is a symbiotic association between organisms where food is obtained or provided. The provider of food in the association is referred to as a trophobiont. The name is derived from the Ancient Greek τροφή (trophē), meaning "nourishment", and -βίωσις (-biosis), which is short for the English word symbiosis.

<i>Acropyga</i> Genus of ants

Acropyga is a genus of small formicine ants. Some species can be indirect pests. A. acutiventris, which is found from India to Australia, tends subterranean, root-feeding mealybugs of the species Xenococcus annandalei. Living, gravid females are carried in the jaws of A. acutiventris queens during their nuptial flight, to establish the symbiotic association in founding colonies. Other Acropyga species have relationships with different species of mealybugs, and it could be a trait common to the whole genus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rasberry crazy ant</span> Species of ant

The tawny crazy ant or Rasberry crazy ant, Nylanderia fulva, is an ant originating in South America. Like the longhorn crazy ant, this species is called "crazy ant" because of its quick, unpredictable movements. It is sometimes called the "Rasberry crazy ant" in Texas after the exterminator Tom Rasberry, who noticed that the ants were increasing in numbers in 2002. Scientists have reorganised the genera taxonomy within this clade of ants, and now it is identified as Nylanderia fulva.

<i>Nylanderia pubens</i> Species of ant

Nylanderia pubens is a species of ant of the genus Nylanderia, commonly called the Caribbean crazy ant. It was originally described as Paratrechina pubens from Saint Vincent, Lesser Antilles. This species was moved from Paratrechina to the genus Nylanderia in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Longhorn crazy ant</span> Species of ant

The longhorn crazy ant, also known as "black crazy ant", is a species of small, dark-coloured insect in the family Formicidae. These ants are commonly called "crazy ants" because instead of following straight lines, they dash around erratically. They have a broad distribution, including much of the tropics and subtropics, and are also found in buildings in more temperate regions, making them one of the most widespread ant species in the world. This species, as well as all others in the ant subfamily Formicinae, cannot sting. However, this species can fire/shoot a formic acid spray from its abdomen when under attack by other insects or attacking other insects. When the longhorn crazy ant bends its abdomen while aiming at an enemy insect, it is most likely shooting its hard-to-see acid. This acid is normally not used on humans and normally does not affect humans. The black crazy ant can not harm humans in any way. These ants can be touched safely just like the common ghost ants.

<i>Euprenolepis</i> Genus of ants

Euprenolepis is a Southeast Asian genus of ants in the subfamily Formicinae with eight recognized species.

<i>Nylanderia</i> Genus of ants

Nylanderia is a large genus of ants in the subfamily Formicinae. The genus has a nearly cosmopolitan distribution with species inhabiting a wide array of habitats in almost all geographic regions. Nylanderia, currently containing over 110 species, is an ecologically important genus, with some species reported as being invasive. The ants are small to medium in size and range in color from pale yellow to black.

<i>Paraparatrechina</i> Genus of ants

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<i>Zatania</i> Genus of ants

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<i>Prenolepis</i> Genus of ants

Prenolepis is a genus of ants in the subfamily Formicinae. Most species are found in southeastern Asia and southern China, but the genus has a wide distribution with species known from North America, southern Europe, Anatolia, Cuba, Haiti, and West Africa.

Myrmecophilus americanus is an ant cricket, a wingless cricket that is an obligate parasite of ants and lives in their nests.

<i>Vitsika</i> Genus of ants

Vitsika is a Malagasy genus of ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae. Described in 2014, the genus contains 14 species.

<i>Paratrechina zanjensis</i> Species of ant

Paratrechina zanjensis is an African species of ant in the genus Paratrechina. It is one of two species in the genus, the other being the longhorn crazy ant.

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Macrodinychus multispinosus is a mite that lives as an ectoparasitoid on the invasive Paratrechina longicornis. These mites complete their development on a single host, sucking all of its body content and therefore killing it. This is the ninth species of Macrodinychus reported as ant parasite, and the third known as parasitoid of invasive ants, confirming a unique habit in the evolution of mite feeding strategies and suggesting that the entire genus might be parasitic on ants.

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References

  1. ↑ Bolton, B. (2014). "Paratrechina". AntCat. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 LaPolla, John S.; Hawkes, Peter; Fisher, Jonathan N. (2013-10-25). "Taxonomic review of the ant genus Paratrechina, with a description of a new species from Africa". Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 35: 71–82. doi: 10.3897/jhr.35.5628 . ISSN   1314-2607.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 LaPolla, John S.; Fisher, Brian (2014-06-30). "Then there were five: a reexamination of the ant genus Paratrechina (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)". ZooKeys (422): 35–48. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.422.7779 . ISSN   1313-2970. PMC   4109445 . PMID   25061388.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Williams, Jason L.; LaPolla, John S. (2016-11-29). "Taxonomic revision and phylogeny of the ant genus Prenolepis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)". Zootaxa. 4200 (2): 201–258. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4200.2.1. ISSN   1175-5334. PMID   27988617.
  5. 1 2 Wetterer, James K. (2008). "Worldwide spread of the longhorn crazy ant, Paratrechina longicornis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)" (PDF). Myrmecological News. 11: 137–149.
  6. 1 2 3 LaPolla, John S.; Brady, Seán G.; Shattuck, Steven O. (2010). "Phylogeny and taxonomy of the Prenolepis genus-group of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)". Systematic Entomology. 35 (1): 118–131. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3113.2009.00492.x. ISSN   1365-3113. S2CID   86659687.
  7. ↑ LaPolla, John S.; Brady, Seán G.; Shattuck, Steven O. (2011-11-25). "Monograph of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the World: An introduction to the systematics and biology of the genus". Zootaxa. 3110 (1): 01–09. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.3110.1.1 . ISSN   1175-5334.
  8. ↑ Rossi, Mônica Lanzoni; Yabuki, Antonio Teniyoshi; Bueno, Odair Correa; Jesus, Carlos Massuretti De; Solis, Daniel Russ; Fox, Eduardo Gonçalves Paterson (2007-06-11). "On the immature stages of the crazy ant Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille 1802) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)" (PDF). Zootaxa. 1503 (1): 1–11. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.1503.1.1. hdl: 11449/69716 . ISSN   1175-5334.
  9. ↑ Wenseleers, Tom; Van Oystaeyen, Annette (December 2011). "Unusual modes of reproduction in social insects: shedding light on the evolutionary paradox of sex". BioEssays. 33 (12): 927–937. doi:10.1002/bies.201100096. ISSN   1521-1878. PMID   21997278. S2CID   6246968.
  10. ↑ Pearcy, Morgan; Goodisman, Michael A. D.; Keller, Laurent (2011). "Sib mating without inbreeding in the longhorn crazy ant". Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 278 (1718): 2677–2681. doi:10.1098/rspb.2010.2562. PMC   3136830 . PMID   21288949.
  11. 1 2 Harvey, Donald J.; Turnbull, Christine; Horvitz, Carol C. (1987-07-01). "Biology of Immature Eurybia elvina (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae), a Myrmecophilous Metalmark Butterfly". Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 80 (4): 513–519. doi:10.1093/aesa/80.4.513. ISSN   0013-8746.
  12. ↑ Reyes, Ruth D. Hernández; Cafaro, Matías J. (2015). "Paratrechina longicornis ants in a tropical dry forest harbor specific Actinobacteria diversity". Journal of Basic Microbiology. 55 (1): 11–21. doi:10.1002/jobm.201300785. ISSN   1521-4028. PMID   24771570. S2CID   206135197.
  13. ↑ Wetterer, James K.; Hugel, Sylvain (2008). "Worldwide Spread of the Ant Cricket Myrmecophilus americanus, a Symbiont of the Longhorn Crazy Ant, Paratrechina longicornis". Sociobiology. 52: 157–165.
  14. ↑ editor, J. G. S. (2017-08-28). "Ants in the Ant-Man movie, with biological notes". Journal of Geek Studies. Retrieved 2019-02-06.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  15. ↑ Cambridge, John. "An Entomologist's Scientific Review of 'Ant-Man'". Inverse. Retrieved 2019-02-06.
  16. ↑ Lobato, Carlos (2016-02-24). "LA CIENCIA DE LA VIDA: Las hormigas de Ant-Man". LA CIENCIA DE LA VIDA. Retrieved 2019-02-06.
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