Host specificity pattern and chemical deception in a social parasite of ants

Casacci, Luca Pietro; Schonrogge, Karsten ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0122-6493; Thomas, Jeremy Ambler; Balletto, Emilio; Bonelli, Simona; Barbero, Francesca. 2019 Host specificity pattern and chemical deception in a social parasite of ants. Scientific Reports, 9, 1619. 10, pp. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-38172-4

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-38172-4

Abstract/Summary

In natural ecosystems, relationships between organisms are often characterised by high levels of complexity, where vulnerabilities in multi-trophic systems are difficult to identify, yet variation in specific community modules can be traceable. Within the complex community interactions, we can shed new light on dynamics by which co-evolutionary outcomes can inform science-led conservation. Here we assessed host-ant use in six populations of the butterfly Phengaris (=Maculinea) rebeli, an obligate social parasite of Myrmica ants and a model system in evolutionary and conservation ecology. Starting from the initial distribution of eggs, we estimated the survival of the parasite in the wild in nests of seven Myrmica ant species, and analysed the chemical cues evolved by the parasites to subvert its host defences. We found local variations in host specificity that are consistent with similarities found in the chemical profiles of hosts and parasites on different sites. At some sites, only one ant species is successfully exploited; at others, multiple-host populations are used. Understanding how stable or adaptable these associations are is essential knowledge when devising conservation measures to maintain keystone species of ant and locally adapted populations of Phengaris butterfly species, which are rare, threatened and a high priority for conservation worldwide.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-38172-4
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	2045-2322
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	ants, social parasites, host specificity, coevolution, entomology
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	14 Feb 2019 16:01 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/522267

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-38172-4

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)

ISSN:

2045-2322

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

ants, social parasites, host specificity, coevolution, entomology