T Parmentier1,2, R Claus3, F De Laender4, D Bonte3. 1. Terrestrial Ecology Unit (TEREC), Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium. thomas_parmentier@msn.com. 2. Research Unit of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, Namur Institute of Complex Systems, and Institute of Life, Earth, and the Environment, University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles 61, 5000, Namur, Belgium. thomas_parmentier@msn.com. 3. Terrestrial Ecology Unit (TEREC), Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium. 4. Research Unit of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, Namur Institute of Complex Systems, and Institute of Life, Earth, and the Environment, University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles 61, 5000, Namur, Belgium.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Species interactions may affect spatial dynamics when the movement of one species is determined by the presence of another one. The most direct species-dependence of dispersal is vectored, usually cross-kingdom, movement of immobile parasites, diseases or seeds by mobile animals. Joint movements of species should, however, not be vectored by definition, as even mobile species are predicted to move together when they are tightly connected in symbiont communities. METHODS: We studied concerted movements in a diverse and heterogeneous community of arthropods (myrmecophiles) associated with red wood ants. We questioned whether joint-movement strategies eventually determine and speed-up community succession. RESULTS: We recorded an astonishingly high number of obligate myrmecophiles outside red wood ant nests. They preferentially co-moved with the host ants as the highest densities were found in locations with the highest density of foraging red wood ants, such as along the network of ant trails. These observations suggest that myrmecophiles resort to the host to move away from the nest, and this to a much higher extent than hitherto anticipated. Interestingly, functional groups of symbionts displayed different dispersal kernels, with predatory myrmecophiles moving more frequently and further from the nest than detritivorous myrmecophiles. We discovered that myrmecophile diversity was lower in newly founded nests than in mature red wood ant nests. Most myrmecophiles, however, were able to colonize new nests fast suggesting that the heterogeneity in mobility does not affect community assembly. CONCLUSIONS: We show that co-movement is not restricted to tight parasitic, or cross-kingdom interactions. Movement in social insect symbiont communities may be heterogeneous and functional group-dependent, but clearly affected by host movement. Ultimately, this co-movement leads to directional movement and allows a fast colonisation of new patches, but not in a predictable way. This study highlights the importance of spatial dynamics of local and regional networks in symbiont metacommunities, of which those of symbionts of social insects are prime examples.
BACKGROUND: Species interactions may affect spatial dynamics when the movement of one species is determined by the presence of another one. The most direct species-dependence of dispersal is vectored, usually cross-kingdom, movement of immobile parasites, diseases or seeds by mobile animals. Joint movements of species should, however, not be vectored by definition, as even mobile species are predicted to move together when they are tightly connected in symbiont communities. METHODS: We studied concerted movements in a diverse and heterogeneous community of arthropods (myrmecophiles) associated with red wood ants. We questioned whether joint-movement strategies eventually determine and speed-up community succession. RESULTS: We recorded an astonishingly high number of obligate myrmecophiles outside red wood ant nests. They preferentially co-moved with the host ants as the highest densities were found in locations with the highest density of foraging red wood ants, such as along the network of ant trails. These observations suggest that myrmecophiles resort to the host to move away from the nest, and this to a much higher extent than hitherto anticipated. Interestingly, functional groups of symbionts displayed different dispersal kernels, with predatory myrmecophiles moving more frequently and further from the nest than detritivorous myrmecophiles. We discovered that myrmecophile diversity was lower in newly founded nests than in mature red wood ant nests. Most myrmecophiles, however, were able to colonize new nests fast suggesting that the heterogeneity in mobility does not affect community assembly. CONCLUSIONS: We show that co-movement is not restricted to tight parasitic, or cross-kingdom interactions. Movement in social insect symbiont communities may be heterogeneous and functional group-dependent, but clearly affected by host movement. Ultimately, this co-movement leads to directional movement and allows a fast colonisation of new patches, but not in a predictable way. This study highlights the importance of spatial dynamics of local and regional networks in symbiont metacommunities, of which those of symbionts of social insects are prime examples.
Entities:
Keywords:
Ant guest; Co-dispersal; Community coexistence; Host-parasite; Inquiline; Metacommunity; Spatial structure; Succession
Authors: Dries Bonte; Hans Van Dyck; James M Bullock; Aurélie Coulon; Maria Delgado; Melanie Gibbs; Valerie Lehouck; Erik Matthysen; Karin Mustin; Marjo Saastamoinen; Nicolas Schtickzelle; Virginie M Stevens; Sofie Vandewoestijne; Michel Baguette; Kamil Barton; Tim G Benton; Audrey Chaput-Bardy; Jean Clobert; Calvin Dytham; Thomas Hovestadt; Christoph M Meier; Steve C F Palmer; Camille Turlure; Justin M J Travis Journal: Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc Date: 2011-09-19
Authors: Emanuel A Fronhofer; Delphine Legrand; Florian Altermatt; Armelle Ansart; Simon Blanchet; Dries Bonte; Alexis Chaine; Maxime Dahirel; Frederik De Laender; Jonathan De Raedt; Lucie di Gesu; Staffan Jacob; Oliver Kaltz; Estelle Laurent; Chelsea J Little; Luc Madec; Florent Manzi; Stefano Masier; Felix Pellerin; Frank Pennekamp; Nicolas Schtickzelle; Lieven Therry; Alexandre Vong; Laurane Winandy; Julien Cote Journal: Nat Ecol Evol Date: 2018-11-05 Impact factor: 15.460