photos 1–1000
Myrmica scabrinodis Nylander 1846 ♀♀,☿☿ (Hymenoptera Formicoidea Formicidæ Myrmicinæ Myrmicini); Histiostoma sp (Acari Acariformes Sarcoptiformes Histiostomatidæ Histiostomatinæ Histiostomatini); Oplitis sp (Acari Parasitiformes Mesostigmata Oplitidæ)
20160702191246ZW6N41918E13.369G1.596E3H0
[Myrmica Latreille 1804: 187+†7 (IT: 22+†0) spp]
[Histiostoma Kramer 1876: 222 (IT: 5) spp]
[Oplitis Berlese 1884: 153 (IT: 9) spp]
Conspecific parapatric concurrent ☿, lateral sx habitus.
Citrus juice based anti-mite treatment successfully applied to M. scabrinodis ♀♀. Citrus limon juice contains up to 47 kg/m³ and 8% DM of citric acid. After the first local application, only a few Histiostoma sp phoretic deutonymphæ remain on M. scabrinodis ♀a and ♀b; ♀c is a young uninfested Myrmica ♀ found isolated nearby, presumably conspecific to ♀a and ♀b.
Myrmica scabrinodis specific group is undergoing a major speciation event at the current time, largely in response to
anthropogenically altered habitats. Over its range, it might comprise several (perhaps 4-5) cryptic species and in any region perhaps 2-3 of these live sympatrically, being ecoetologically separated. Therefore, if ecotypes 1 and 2 are recognized in region A and ecotypes 3 and 4 are recognized in region B, far away from A, there is no reason to suppose that 1 and 2 are genetically identical to 3 and 4. Such a problem can be solved definitively only with PCM. When Emery described Sifolinia lauræ ( = M. lauræ) in 1907, it was presumed to be a social parasite though its host was unknown. In 1987, M. Mei identified the host of Myrmica samnitica ( = M. lauræ) as M. sabuleti. However, in the non-type series which M. Mei collected from Abruzzo and Lazio, the ☿☿ mounted with them as hosts were treated by A. Radchenko in 2003 as atypical M. scabrinodis, with relatively large scape lobes, and they could easily be mistaken for M. sabuleti. Now, morphometrics of these conspecific Myrmica ♀♀ and ☿☿ collected in 2016 differ significantly from morphometrics of individuals found in other parapatric M. scabrinodis populations, corresponding to the very description of the atypical M. scabrinodis specimens collected from the same geographic region by M. Mei in 1987; therefore, it could be assumed that they are likely to belong to a new cryptic species of Myrmica which most probably evolved parapatrically, a quite common process among non-parasitic ants.
Besides antagonistic relationships between organisms such as parasitism and competition, the more neutral phoresy exists. It appears in some animal groups, for example within Hexapoda; larvæ of Meloidæ get transported by some Hymenoptera. But phoresy appears especially frequently within Nematoda and Acari. Phoresy evolved several times convergently within Acari. Because all Histiostomatidæ produce phoretic deutonymphæ, this phenomenon is the most important part of their biology. Phoresy is a phenomenon in which one individual of a species ascends an individual of another species at a given time of its ontogenesis. It is carried for a limited while to get to a new habitat. Usually they don’t feed during that time. Terms for the partners of such a phoretic relation are “phoret” for the ascending animal and “transporter” for the carrier. Phoresy is commonly found in habitats which change their conditions rapidly and elapse after a short time. Such habitats are called “ephemer biochoria”. Biochoria are parts of ecological systems distributed like islands, with a characteristic inventory of species. Examples for biochoria are: animal dung, carrion, compost. These habitats arise at uncertain locations to uncertain times. They differ from biochoria as puddles or formicaries, which regularly arise at certain locations. “Waving”, a behavior of the juvenile phorets in some groups of Nematoda and Acari, appears to find their transporters. Phoresy is a common phenomenon in the life cycle of free-living Astigmatina, a diverse and widely distributed monophyletic group. Some of them are permanent parasites of Aves and Mammalia, but ancestral Astigmatina are free-living and fungivorous. From there, the group has colonized many habitats. Deutonymphæ of Astigmatina most commonly occur in association with Coleoptera and Hymenoptera in arboreal and soil habitats; they can respond to both genders of the carrier or respond selectively only to one gender. Naiadacarus arboricola responds only to Syrphidæ ♀ carriers which visit water-filled treeholes to oviposit; Rhizoglyphus echinopus responds mainly to Osmoderma eremicola ♂♂. Kennethiella trisetosa only matures on ♂ larvæ of Ancistrocerus antilope: these mites propagate in the brood chambers of the wasp; then all mite stages except the deutonymphæ feed on the hemolympha of wasps in the stage immediatly before the pupa phase without damaging them. Deutonymphæ can only ascend the adult ♂ wasps, because ♀ wasp larvæ kill the mites before growing up. During the wasp’s copulation, the mites change actively into the genital chambers of the ♀ wasps. From there, they leave that ♀ during the egg deposition. During the transport, the deutonymphæ are always positioned on the propodeum of the ♂♂ on small polished cuticula areas. Because up to now no other function could be assigned to that structure, it is assumed that it evolved for the transportation of the deutonymphæ. Such a structure is called acarinarium. A satisfying evolutionary explication is missing. It is assumed that a mutualistic relationship between phoret and transporter exists; it cannot be ruled out that this relationship bears advantages for the transporter, but this is still unproved. Alternatively, the acarinaria could be evolved in a parasitic or in a “neutral” relationship. It could be beneficial for the transporter to have the mites restricted to areas where they are as less hindering as possible. Up to now, acarinaria are unknown for Histiostomatidæ. But because it could be assumed that some Histiostomatidæ bear advantages for their carriers, probably acarinaria will be found in future times on some carriers. The preference of one carrier gender is unknown for Histiostomatidæ spp but could probably exist. The act to ascend the carrier, in Astigmatina as in Histiostomatidæ, can occur spontaneously or can be provoked by a tactile stimulation of gnathosomal setæ or solenidia. The deutonymphæ of the non-Histiostomatidæ Carpoglyphus lactis show a conspicuous behavior and wait in a position with the body anchored to the substrate by the caudoventral suckers. Jumping to a height of 25-50 mm allows the mite to spring onto a passing Drosophilidæ carrier. Deutonymphæ of Sancassania spp remain on the carrier when it dies and subsequent stages exploit the carriers as saprophages of necrotic host tissues. Such a strategy is called "necromeny" and derived from phoresy. Sometimes, deutonymphæ are positioned in similar numbers on both sides of the carrier to minimize interference with the carrier's flight. An example is Glyphanœtus nomiensis (Histiostomatidæ) which is attached to Nomia melanderi (Halictidæ). It is less known concerning the detachment stimuli in Astigmatina. It could correlate with the oviposition of the carrier, as observed for non-Astigmatina mites. Deutonymphæ of Histiostoma polypori, which change from one earwig stage to the following of the same individual, may respond to chemical changes in the transporter's cuticle.
REFERENCES
B. Seifert 2024: Myrmica scabrinodis pleistocenic differentiation.
B. Wermelinger 2021: Forest insects in EU.
P. Klimov & al. 2017: Acariformes phylogeny.
B. Seifert & al. 2014: Myrmica martini sp.n.
M. Dabert & al. 2010: Acariformes phylogeny.
A. Radchenko & G.W. Elmes 2010: Myrmica ants of the Old World.
Myrmica scabrinodis Nylander 1846 ♀♀,☿☿ (Hymenoptera Formicoidea Formicidæ Myrmicinæ Myrmicini); Histiostoma sp (Acari Acariformes Sarcoptiformes Histiostomatidæ Histiostomatinæ Histiostomatini); Oplitis sp (Acari Parasitiformes Mesostigmata Oplitidæ)
20160702191246ZW6N41918E13.369G1.596E3H0
[Myrmica Latreille 1804: 187+†7 (IT: 22+†0) spp]
[Histiostoma Kramer 1876: 222 (IT: 5) spp]
[Oplitis Berlese 1884: 153 (IT: 9) spp]
Conspecific parapatric concurrent ☿, lateral sx habitus.
Citrus juice based anti-mite treatment successfully applied to M. scabrinodis ♀♀. Citrus limon juice contains up to 47 kg/m³ and 8% DM of citric acid. After the first local application, only a few Histiostoma sp phoretic deutonymphæ remain on M. scabrinodis ♀a and ♀b; ♀c is a young uninfested Myrmica ♀ found isolated nearby, presumably conspecific to ♀a and ♀b.
Myrmica scabrinodis specific group is undergoing a major speciation event at the current time, largely in response to
anthropogenically altered habitats. Over its range, it might comprise several (perhaps 4-5) cryptic species and in any region perhaps 2-3 of these live sympatrically, being ecoetologically separated. Therefore, if ecotypes 1 and 2 are recognized in region A and ecotypes 3 and 4 are recognized in region B, far away from A, there is no reason to suppose that 1 and 2 are genetically identical to 3 and 4. Such a problem can be solved definitively only with PCM. When Emery described Sifolinia lauræ ( = M. lauræ) in 1907, it was presumed to be a social parasite though its host was unknown. In 1987, M. Mei identified the host of Myrmica samnitica ( = M. lauræ) as M. sabuleti. However, in the non-type series which M. Mei collected from Abruzzo and Lazio, the ☿☿ mounted with them as hosts were treated by A. Radchenko in 2003 as atypical M. scabrinodis, with relatively large scape lobes, and they could easily be mistaken for M. sabuleti. Now, morphometrics of these conspecific Myrmica ♀♀ and ☿☿ collected in 2016 differ significantly from morphometrics of individuals found in other parapatric M. scabrinodis populations, corresponding to the very description of the atypical M. scabrinodis specimens collected from the same geographic region by M. Mei in 1987; therefore, it could be assumed that they are likely to belong to a new cryptic species of Myrmica which most probably evolved parapatrically, a quite common process among non-parasitic ants.
Besides antagonistic relationships between organisms such as parasitism and competition, the more neutral phoresy exists. It appears in some animal groups, for example within Hexapoda; larvæ of Meloidæ get transported by some Hymenoptera. But phoresy appears especially frequently within Nematoda and Acari. Phoresy evolved several times convergently within Acari. Because all Histiostomatidæ produce phoretic deutonymphæ, this phenomenon is the most important part of their biology. Phoresy is a phenomenon in which one individual of a species ascends an individual of another species at a given time of its ontogenesis. It is carried for a limited while to get to a new habitat. Usually they don’t feed during that time. Terms for the partners of such a phoretic relation are “phoret” for the ascending animal and “transporter” for the carrier. Phoresy is commonly found in habitats which change their conditions rapidly and elapse after a short time. Such habitats are called “ephemer biochoria”. Biochoria are parts of ecological systems distributed like islands, with a characteristic inventory of species. Examples for biochoria are: animal dung, carrion, compost. These habitats arise at uncertain locations to uncertain times. They differ from biochoria as puddles or formicaries, which regularly arise at certain locations. “Waving”, a behavior of the juvenile phorets in some groups of Nematoda and Acari, appears to find their transporters. Phoresy is a common phenomenon in the life cycle of free-living Astigmatina, a diverse and widely distributed monophyletic group. Some of them are permanent parasites of Aves and Mammalia, but ancestral Astigmatina are free-living and fungivorous. From there, the group has colonized many habitats. Deutonymphæ of Astigmatina most commonly occur in association with Coleoptera and Hymenoptera in arboreal and soil habitats; they can respond to both genders of the carrier or respond selectively only to one gender. Naiadacarus arboricola responds only to Syrphidæ ♀ carriers which visit water-filled treeholes to oviposit; Rhizoglyphus echinopus responds mainly to Osmoderma eremicola ♂♂. Kennethiella trisetosa only matures on ♂ larvæ of Ancistrocerus antilope: these mites propagate in the brood chambers of the wasp; then all mite stages except the deutonymphæ feed on the hemolympha of wasps in the stage immediatly before the pupa phase without damaging them. Deutonymphæ can only ascend the adult ♂ wasps, because ♀ wasp larvæ kill the mites before growing up. During the wasp’s copulation, the mites change actively into the genital chambers of the ♀ wasps. From there, they leave that ♀ during the egg deposition. During the transport, the deutonymphæ are always positioned on the propodeum of the ♂♂ on small polished cuticula areas. Because up to now no other function could be assigned to that structure, it is assumed that it evolved for the transportation of the deutonymphæ. Such a structure is called acarinarium. A satisfying evolutionary explication is missing. It is assumed that a mutualistic relationship between phoret and transporter exists; it cannot be ruled out that this relationship bears advantages for the transporter, but this is still unproved. Alternatively, the acarinaria could be evolved in a parasitic or in a “neutral” relationship. It could be beneficial for the transporter to have the mites restricted to areas where they are as less hindering as possible. Up to now, acarinaria are unknown for Histiostomatidæ. But because it could be assumed that some Histiostomatidæ bear advantages for their carriers, probably acarinaria will be found in future times on some carriers. The preference of one carrier gender is unknown for Histiostomatidæ spp but could probably exist. The act to ascend the carrier, in Astigmatina as in Histiostomatidæ, can occur spontaneously or can be provoked by a tactile stimulation of gnathosomal setæ or solenidia. The deutonymphæ of the non-Histiostomatidæ Carpoglyphus lactis show a conspicuous behavior and wait in a position with the body anchored to the substrate by the caudoventral suckers. Jumping to a height of 25-50 mm allows the mite to spring onto a passing Drosophilidæ carrier. Deutonymphæ of Sancassania spp remain on the carrier when it dies and subsequent stages exploit the carriers as saprophages of necrotic host tissues. Such a strategy is called "necromeny" and derived from phoresy. Sometimes, deutonymphæ are positioned in similar numbers on both sides of the carrier to minimize interference with the carrier's flight. An example is Glyphanœtus nomiensis (Histiostomatidæ) which is attached to Nomia melanderi (Halictidæ). It is less known concerning the detachment stimuli in Astigmatina. It could correlate with the oviposition of the carrier, as observed for non-Astigmatina mites. Deutonymphæ of Histiostoma polypori, which change from one earwig stage to the following of the same individual, may respond to chemical changes in the transporter's cuticle.
REFERENCES
B. Seifert 2024: Myrmica scabrinodis pleistocenic differentiation.
B. Wermelinger 2021: Forest insects in EU.
P. Klimov & al. 2017: Acariformes phylogeny.
B. Seifert & al. 2014: Myrmica martini sp.n.
M. Dabert & al. 2010: Acariformes phylogeny.
A. Radchenko & G.W. Elmes 2010: Myrmica ants of the Old World.