The hunter becomes the hunted: when cleptobiotic insects are captured by their target ants

Here we show that trying to rob prey (cleptobiosis) from a highly specialized predatory ant species is risky. To capture prey, Allomerus decemarticulatus workers build gallery-shaped traps on the stems of their associated myrmecophyte, Hirtella physophora. We wondered whether the frequent presence of immobilized prey on the trap attracted flying cleptoparasites. Nine social wasp species nest in the H. physophora foliage; of the six species studied, only Angiopolybia pallens rob prey from Allomerus colonies. For those H. physophora not sheltering wasps, we noted cleptobiosis by stingless bees (Trigona), social wasps (A. pallens and five Agelaia species), assassin bugs (Reduviidae), and flies. A relationship between the size of the robbers and their rate of capture by ambushing Allomerus workers was established for social wasps; small wasps were easily captured, while the largest never were. Reduviids, which are slow to extract their rostrum from prey, were always captured, while Trigona and flies often escaped. The balance sheet for the ants was positive vis-à-vis the reduviids and four out of the six social wasp species. For the latter, wasps began by cutting up parts of the prey’s abdomen and were captured (or abandoned the prey) before the entire abdomen was retrieved so that the total weight of the captured wasps exceeded that of the prey abdomens. For A. pallens, we show that the number of individuals captured during attempts at cleptobiosis increases with the size of the Allomerus’ prey.     

Microbiota disruption leads to reduced cold tolerance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophila</Emphasis> flies

It is now acknowledged that bacteria from gut microbiota deeply interact with their host by altering many physiological traits. Such interplay is likely to consequently affect stress tolerance. Here, we compared cold and heat tolerance of Drosophila melanogaster flies with undisrupted (control (Co)) versus disrupted gut microbiota (dechorionated eggs (De)). The disrupting treatment strongly reduced bacterial load in flies’ guts, though 16S sequencing analysis did not evidence strong diversity changes in the remaining bacterial community. Both chill coma recovery and acute cold survival were repeatedly lower in De than in Co flies under our experimental conditions. However, heat tolerance was not consistently affected by gut disruption. Our results suggest that microbiota-related effects on the host can alter ecologically relevant traits such as thermal tolerance.     

Armoured spiderman: morphological and behavioural adaptations of a specialised araneophagous predator (Araneae: Palpimanidae)

In a predator–prey system where both intervenients come from the same taxon, one can expect a strong selection on behavioural and morphological traits involved in prey capture. For example, in specialised snake-eating snakes, the predator is unaffetced by the venom of the prey. We predicted that similar adaptations should have evolved in spider-eating (araneophagous) spiders. We investigated potential and actual prey of two Palpimanus spiders (P. gibbulus, P. orientalis) to support the prediction that these are araneophagous predators. Specific behavioural adaptations were investigated using a high-speed camera during staged encounters with prey, while morphological adaptations were investigated using electron microscopy. Both Palpimanus species captured a wide assortment of spider species from various guilds but also a few insect species. Analysis of the potential prey suggested that Palpimanus is a retreat-invading predator that actively searches for spiders that hide in a retreat. Behavioural capture adaptations include a slow, stealthy approach to the prey followed by a very fast attack. Morphological capture adaptations include scopulae on forelegs used in grabbing prey body parts, stout forelegs to hold the prey firmly, and an extremely thick cuticle all over the body preventing injury from a counter bite of the prey. Palpimanus overwhelmed prey that was more than 200% larger than itself. In trials with another araneophagous spider, Cyrba algerina (Salticidae), Palpimanus captured C. algerina in more than 90% of cases independent of the size ratio between the spiders. Evidence indicates that both Palpimanus species possesses remarkable adaptations that increase its efficiency in capturing spider prey.     

When attempts at robbing prey turn fatal

Because group-hunting arboreal ants spread-eagle insect prey for a long time before retrieving them, these prey can be coveted by predatory flying insects. Yet, attempting to rob these prey is risky if the ant species is also an effective predator. Here, we show that trying to rob prey from Azteca andreae workers is a fatal error as 268 out of 276 potential cleptobionts (97.1?%) were captured in turn. The ant workers hunt in a group and use the “Velcro?” principle to cling firmly to the leaves of their host tree, permitting them to capture very large prey. Exceptions were one social wasp, plus some Trigona spp. workers and flies that landed directly on the prey and were able to take off immediately when attacked. We conclude that in this situation, previously captured prey attract potential cleptobionts that are captured in turn in most of the cases.     

ABR发酵产氢系统的控制运行及产氢效能

以稀释糖蜜为原料,通过分阶段提高进水COD的方法,考察了四格式、总有效容积为28.75L厌氧折流板反应器(ABR)的发酵产氢效能和运行特性.结果表明,以好氧和厌氧活性污泥的混合物接种,在水力停留时间(HRT)24h、进水pH为5.3～6.8和35℃等条件下,进水COD从500mg.L-1逐渐提高到6000mg.L-1左右,ABR可在63d内培育出具有产甲烷功能的微生物群落体系,并达到稳定运行状态.此时,4个格室中的液相末端产物以乙酸和丁酸为主,均呈现丁酸型发酵特征,系统的COD平均去除率为37.6%,平均产氢量为3.2L.d-1,去除单位COD的比产氢率平均为45.29L.kg-1(以COD计).随着进水COD的提高,ABR及各格室的运行特征也随之发生变化,在进水COD提高到8000mg.L-1并达到运行稳定状态时,后3个格室中仍有产甲烷活性的残留;前3个格室表现为乙醇型发酵,而最后1个格室的丁酸型发酵特征则得到加强;系统对COD的平均去除率降低为15.4%,平均产氢量和去除单位COD的产氢能力分别提高到12.85L.d-1和360.22L.kg-1(以COD计);由于诸如产甲烷菌和同型产乙酸菌的耗氢活性未被有效抑制,ABR的产氢效能受到了严重影响,虽然总产气速率和活性污泥的比产气率分别达到了61.54L.d-1和232L.kg-.1d-1(以MLVSS计),但总产氢速率和活性污泥的比产氢率分别仅为12.85L.d-1和48L.kg-1.d-1(以MLVSS计).     

细菌气溶胶在大气冰核核化过程中作用的研究进展

介绍了大气中细菌气溶胶的种类和浓度分布的变化特征,对冰核细菌促进冰核核化的分子生物学机制,影响成冰活性的因素以及冰核在大气冰核核化过程中作用的研究进展等做了重点介绍,对冰核细菌的生物学、分子生物学和形态学及其实际应用等方面的研究进展也做了讨论,同时也指出了今后需要进一步研究的问题,尤其是生物冰核在云和降水中作用方面的问题.     

Bacteria on housefly eggs, Musca domestica, suppress fungal growth in chicken manure through nutrient depletion or antifungal metabolites

Female houseflies, Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae), lay their eggs in ephemeral resources such as animal manure. Hatching larvae compete for essential nutrients with fungi that also colonize such resources. Both the well-known antagonistic relationship between bacteria and fungi and the consistent presence of the bacterium Klebsiella oxytoca on housefly eggs led us to hypothesize (1) that K. oxytoca, and possibly other bacteria on housefly eggs, help curtail the growth of fungal resource competitors and (2) that such fungi indeed adversely affect the development of housefly larvae. Bacteria washed from housefly eggs significantly reduced the growth of fungi in chicken manure. Nineteen bacterial strains and ten fungal strains were isolated from housefly eggs or chicken manure, respectively. Co-culturing each of all the possible bacterium–fungus pairs revealed that the bacteria as a group, but no single bacterium, significantly suppressed the growth of all fungal strains tested. The bacteria's adverse effect on fungi is due to resource nutrient depletion and/or the release of antifungal chemicals. Well-established fungi in resources significantly reduced the number of larval offspring that completed development to adult flies. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Contribution of anadromous fish to the diet of European catfish in a large river system

Many anadromous fish species, when migrating from the sea to spawn in fresh waters, can potentially be a valuable prey for larger predatory fish, thereby efficiently linking these two ecosystems. Here, we assess the contribution of anadromous fish to the diet of European catfish (Silurus glanis) in a large river system (Garonne, southwestern France) using stable isotope analysis and allis shad (Alosa alosa) as an example of anadromous fish. Allis shad caught in the Garonne had a very distinct marine δ¹³C value, over 8‰ higher after lipid extraction compared to the mean δ¹³C value of all other potential freshwater prey fish. The δ¹³C values of European catfish varied considerably between these two extremes and some individuals were clearly specializing on freshwater prey, whereas others specialized on anadromous fish. The mean contribution of anadromous fish to the entire European catfish population was estimated to be between 53% and 65%, depending on the fractionation factor used for δ¹³C.     

Hormetic protection of Drosophila melanogaster middle-aged male flies from heat stress by mildly stressing them at young age

Previous studies have shown that exposing flies to hypergravity (3g or 5g) for the first 2 weeks of adult life slightly increases longevity of male flies and survival time at 37°C for both sexes, and delays an age-linked behavioral change. The present experiment tested whether the hypergravity could also protect flies from four successive deleterious non-lethal heat shocks at 4 and 5 weeks of age. Males that lived in hypergravity for the first 2 weeks of adult life lived slightly longer (ca. +15% or 1.2 day) after heat shocks (30 min or 45 min at 37°C) than flies that always lived at 1g, but this positive effect of hypergravity was not observed in females. Therefore, hypergravity exposure at young age can help the male flies recovering from a heat shock at older ages.     

Attraction of two lacewing species to volatiles produced by host plants and aphid prey

It is well documented that host-related odors enable many species of parasitoids and predatory insects to locate their prey and prey habitats. This study reports the first characterization of prey and prey host odor reception in two species of lacewings, Chrysoperla carnea (Say) and Chrysopa oculata L. 2-Phenylethanol, one of the volatiles emitted from their preys host plants (alfalfa and corn) evoked a significant EAG response from antennae of C. carnea. Traps baited with this compound attracted high numbers of adult C. carnea, which were predominantly females. One of the sex pheromone components (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactol of an aphid species, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) attracted only C. oculata adults. Single sensillum recordings showed that the olfactory neurons of C. carnea responded to both 2-phenylethanol and aphid sex pheromone components, but those of C. oculata only responded to the latter.     

The cost of being an omnivore: mandible wear from plant feeding in a true bug

Evolutionary and ecological transitions from carnivorous to omnivorous feeding may be constrained by the ability of the animal to cope with disparate types of foods, even if preadaptations for such behaviour exist. The omnivorous true bug, Dicyphus hesperus (Hemiptera: Miridae) requires both animals (small, soft-bodied insects) and plants in its diet and obtains the majority of its dietary and metabolic water from plant feeding. Serrations on the lateral margins of the mandibular stylets wear with age, and this wear is exacerbated when the insects feed on plants compared to those provided free water and no plants. D. hesperus that feed on plants attack fewer prey but consumed similar amounts of prey tissue compared to individuals that were provided free water. Although others have shown mandible wear for plant-chewing animals we show for the first time that plant feeding can impose similar wear on plant-piercing animals as well.     

细菌B1胞外活性物质对球形棕囊藻的溶藻机制初探

为探讨溶藻细菌B1对球形棕囊藻的溶藻作用机理及起作用的胞外活性物质的类别,研究了从珠海香洲码头赤潮海水中分离获得的溶藻细菌BI的无菌滤液对球形棕囊藻生长过程中的叶绿素a含量、丙二醛含量(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性的影响,并对溶藻细菌B1分泌的胞外活性物质进行了初步分析.当100 mL藻液中加入1 mL的无菌滤液,除藻率达到了83％.B1无菌滤液使藻中丙二醛的含量显著上升,48 h达到最大值153％,球形棕囊藻的SOD、CAT活性在处理开始后保持下降趋势,分别在96 h、48 h达到最低值27％、33％.研究表明B1无菌滤液(不大于1 mL)对棕囊藻的溶藻效果与加入的量成正比,且主要通过降低机体中保护酶的活性和加剧膜脂质过氧化的程度等来抑制球形棕囊藻的生长;细菌B1分泌的胞外活性物质中可能含有芳香醛类且包括载有磷基团的有机物,但不含蛋白质.     

耐冷腐殖酸吸附态PAHs降解菌筛选及其降解特性

为了寻找自然环境中高效PAHs降解菌,并应用于北方寒冷地区PAHs污染土壤修复,从沈抚灌渠冻融土壤中筛选出一株以腐殖酸(HA)吸附态PAHs为碳源和能源且生长良好的耐冷菌株,结合其生理生化特征和16S rDNA序列比对,鉴定此菌株为假单胞菌(Pseudomonas sp.SDR4),并研究了其对冻融土壤中HA吸附态PAHs的降解性能.结果表明:Pseudomonas sp.SDR4对冻融土壤中Phe、Pyr和Ba P均具有一定的降解能力,42 d降解率分别为73.88%、64.88%和49.39%.加入HA能够提高其对Phe、Pyr和Ba P的降解率,42 d降解率分别提高15.9%、13.8%和8.6%;在降解初期加入HA可显著提高Phe、Pyr和Ba P的降解速率,第1周,降解速率分别提高37.8%、28.4%和39.1%,但在后期促进效果减弱.若要在寒冷地区选择Pseudomonas sp.SDR4作为固定化菌株,可添加HA提高其修复效果.本研究为北方寒冷地区PAHs污染土壤修复提供了新的固定化菌种.     

四川汉源万顺铅锌矿区蜈蚣草共附生细菌群落结构对重金属的响应特征

为了充分挖掘重金属污染地区植物共附生细菌资源,提高重金属污染土壤生态修复的效率,利用变性梯度凝胶电泳(Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis,DGGE)技术,对四川省汉源县万顺铅锌矿区蜈蚣草根状茎中共附生细菌多样性和群落结构进行了研究,并分析了共附生细菌群落结构与蜈蚣草根状茎中有效重金属间的关系.结果表明,不同采样点间的蜈蚣草共附生细菌多样性存在明显差异,多样性指数和丰富度指数均表现为尾矿矿口弃渣区选矿区农田.基于DGGE回收条带序列的系统发育显示,蜈蚣草共附生细菌包括芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)、伯克氏菌属(Burkholderia)、根瘤菌属(Rhizobium)、假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)、肠杆菌属(Enterobacteria)和弯曲杆菌属(Campylobacter)等细菌类群.相关性分析表明,共附生细菌多样性指数和丰富度指数均与有效Cu、Cd、Pb、Zn和As含量呈显著正相关(p0.05).冗余分析(Redundancy Analysis,RDA)显示,有效As是影响蜈蚣草共附生细菌群落结构的关键因子,对砷含量较高的采样点,砷对蜈蚣草共附生细菌群落有促进作用,在砷含量相对较低的采样点,共附生细菌群落与砷呈负相关.研究表明,蜈蚣草存在丰富的共附生细菌种群,这些种群受蜈蚣草中有效重金属含量的影响明显,在修复重金属特别是砷污染土壤方面表现出潜在应用价值.     

输水情景下白洋淀好氧反硝化菌群落对溶解性有机物的响应

溶解性有机物（DOM）是影响微生物群落演变的重要因素,而生态输水是白洋淀的一个重要特征,为了探究输水情境下DOM对好氧反硝化菌的影响,本文结合水体DOM的组分解析和好氧反硝化高通量测序技术,进行了水体好氧反硝化菌对DOM的响应研究.结果显示,白洋淀水体DOM的相对浓度存在显著差异,河口区要低于内部区;DOM呈现出较强自生源特征,河口区具有更高的分子量和更强的腐殖化;平行因子法解析出3种类蛋白组分和1种类腐殖质组分,类蛋白组分占比达到35.64%~96.38%,与荧光区域积分得到类蛋白占主体的结果相一致.与此同时,该时期水体好氧反硝化菌主要属于变形菌门（Protebacterice）,主要包括Cupriavidus、Aeromonas、Thauera、Shewanella和Pseudomonas,与随机森林筛选出的指示物种相一致;网络分析得到35个网络关键节点,主要隶属于Thauera、Cupriavidus以及Unclassified_bacteria;冗余分析（RDA）显示类腐殖质物质是影响水体整体好氧反硝化菌群落组成的因子,类蛋白物质是影响指示物种群落和关键节点群落结构分布的重要因素.综上可知,水体溶解性有机物中类蛋白组分可以作为筛选适于生态输水期水体特征的耐低温高效好氧反硝化菌的碳源选择.     

Reverse positional orientation in a neotropical orb-web spider, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Verrucosa arenata</Emphasis>

Most orb-web spiders face downwards in the web. A downward orientation has been proposed to be the optimal strategy because spiders run faster downwards and thus can catch prey quicker. Consequently, orb-web spiders also extend their web in the lower part, leading to top-down web asymmetry. Since the majority of orb-web spiders face downwards, it has been difficult to test the effect of orientation on prey capture and web asymmetry. In this study, we explored the influence of reverse orientation on foraging efficiency and web asymmetry in Verrucosa arenata, a neotropical orb-web spider that faces upwards in the web. We show that reverse orientation does not imply reverse web asymmetry in this species. V. arenata spiders captured more prey in the lower part of the web but more prey per area on the upper part. The average running speeds of spiders did not differ between upward and downward running, but heavier spiders took longer to capture prey while running upwards. We discuss these findings in the context of foraging efficiency and web asymmetry.     

Host selection by a kleptobiotic spider

Why do kleptobiotic spiders of the genus Argyrodes seem to be associated with spiders of the genus Nephila worldwide? Observations following introduction of experimental insect prey of different sizes and weights on to host webs revealed that: (1) small prey are more effectively retained on the web of Nephila clavipes than on the web of another common host, Leucauge venusta. (2) N. clavipes did not consume small prey that accumulated on the web whereas larger, heavier prey were enveloped and stored. (3) We observed clear partitioning of prey items between N. clavipes and Argyrodes spp.; diet selection by Argyrodes did not overlap with that of N. clavipes but closely overlapped with that of L. venusta. (4) L. venusta responds very quickly to prey impact whereas N. clavipes is slower, offering a temporal window of opportunity for Argyrodes foraging. (5) The ability of L. venusta to detect and respond to small items also means that it acts aggressively to Argyrodes spp., whereas N. clavipes does not. Consequently, food-acquisition behaviours of Argyrodes were clearly less risky with N. clavipes compared with L. venusta. We conclude that when a kleptobiotic organism has a choice of various host species, it will opt for the least risky host that presents the highest rate of availability of food items. The fact that Nephila species present such characteristics explains the worldwide association with Argyrodes kleptobiotic spiders.     

Recognition of foreign oviposition-marking pheromone in a multi-trophic context

Both phytophagous and parasitic insects deposit oviposition-marking pheromones (OMPs) following oviposition that function to inform conspecifics of a previously utilized host of reduced suitability. The blueberry maggot fly, Rhagoletis mendax Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae), deposits eggs individually into blueberries and then marks the fruit surface with an OMP which reduces acceptance of fruit for oviposition by conspecifics. Diachasma alloeum (Muesebeck) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a parasitic wasp attacking larval R. mendax which also deposits an OMP, signaling conspecifics of a wasp-occupied host. Behavioral studies were conducted testing the hypothesis that the OMP of the parasitic wasp modifies the oviposition behavior of its host fly. In this study, we show that the OMP of D. alloeum is recognized by R. mendax, and female flies will reject wasp-marked fruit for oviposition. Thus, we present a rare demonstration of pheromonal recognition between animals occupying different taxonomic orders and trophic levels. This chemical eavesdropping may enhance the ability of the fly to avoid fruit unsuitable for larval development.     

反硝化-高效部分亚硝化-厌氧氨氧化工艺处理老龄垃圾渗滤液

采用反硝化-沸石曝气生物滤池(ZBAF)部分亚硝化及氧氨氧化组合工艺处理老龄垃圾渗滤液,探究ZBAF部分亚硝化特性以及组合工艺的脱氮除碳性能.结果表明通过游离氨(FA)对亚硝酸盐氧化菌(NOB)的选择性抑制ZBAF可以实现老龄垃圾渗滤液稳定高效部分亚硝化,平均亚硝氮积累率(NAR)为93.8%亚硝氮产率(NPR)最高达1.659 kg·(m~(3·d)~(-1);在进水中投加葡萄糖700mg·L~(-1)后,当回流比为2.0 HRT为2.2 d时,由于反硝化与厌氧氨氧化的协同作用,组合工艺脱氮效果最佳,平均氨氮去除率(ARE)、总氮去除率(NRE)和总氮去除负荷(NRR)分别达97.2%、90.0%和0.585 kg·(m~3·d)~(-1),平均COD去除率为45.3%其中厌氧氨氧化平均NRR_(ANA)为1.060 kg·(m~3·d)~(-1)最高达1.268 kg·(m~3·d)~(-1).利用高通量测序技术分析各装置中的微生物群落结构.结果显示,反硝化细菌(Paracoccus和Comamonnas)、氨氧化细菌(AOB)(Nitrosomonas)和厌氧氨氧化菌(Candidatus Kuenenia和Candidatus Anammoxoglobus)分别为反硝化、ZBAF和厌氧氨氧化装置中的优势菌这与组合工艺稳定的脱氮性能相吻合.     

Trophic interactions of the endangered Southern river otter (Lontra provocax) in a Chilean Ramsar wetland inferred from prey sampling, fecal analysis, and stable isotopes

Non-invasive methodological approaches are highly recommended and commonly used to study the feeding ecology of elusive and threatened mammals. In this study, we use multiple lines of evidence to assess the feeding strategies of the endangered Southern river otter, by determining seasonal prey availability (electrofishing), analysis of undigested prey remains (spraints), and the use of stable isotopes (δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C) in otter spraints (n?=?262) and prey in a wetland ecosystem of southern Chile (39°49′S, 73°15′W). Fecal and isotopic analyses suggest that the otter diet is restricted to a few prey items, particularly the less-mobile, bottom-living, and larger prey such as crayfish (Samastacus spinifrons, 86.11 %) and crabs (Aegla spp., 32.45 %), supplemented opportunistically by cyprinids (Cyprinus carpio, 9.55 %) and catfish (Diplomystes camposensis, 5.66 %). The results suggest that the river otter is highly specialized in bottom foraging. Isotopic signatures of food sources and feces revealed a mid-upper trophic position for the Southern river otter, with either higher or lower δ¹⁵N values than their potential prey items. δ¹³C values for river otters were less enriched than their potential food resources. We suggest that due to their narrow trophic niche and possible dependence on only a few food items, this species may be highly vulnerable to the reduction in its prey populations. Finally, maintaining the ecological interactions between Southern river otters and their prey is considered a central priority for the survival of this endangered carnivore mammal.