ant social parasite in-between two chemical disparate host species

Host-parasite coevolution shapes the structure of communities and simultaneously the traits of the interacting species. Social parasites developed sophisticated chemical integration strategies to circumvent host defences. Here, we show that the two Leptothorax host species of the obligate social par...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Evolutionary ecology 2010-03, Vol.24 (2), p.317-332
Main Authors: Bauer, Sabine, Böhm, Melanie, Witte, Volker, Foitzik, Susanne
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal Ecology
Animal populations
Biochemistry
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Coevolution
Community composition
Cuticular hydrocarbons
Ecology
Evolution
Evolutionary Biology
Formicidae
Hydrocarbons
Insects
Integration
Leptothorax
Life Sciences
Original Paper
Parasites
Plant Sciences
Workers
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Summary:Host-parasite coevolution shapes the structure of communities and simultaneously the traits of the interacting species. Social parasites developed sophisticated chemical integration strategies to circumvent host defences. Here, we show that the two Leptothorax host species of the obligate social parasite Harpagoxenus sublaevis exhibit extremely divergent chemical profiles, making it nearly impossible for this parasite to closely adapt to both hosts at once. Our cuticular hydrocarbon analyses demonstrate that H. sublaevis acquires some host chemicals passively, but additionally, actively biosyntheses some host hydrocarbons. The parasite adjusts thereby more closely to its smaller host, L. muscorum, because it actively produces two of its cuticular substances and also more easily acquires the short-chained hydrocarbons of this host. Community composition analyses indicate that the social parasite overexploits this chemical closer host species and, albeit costly for the parasite, frequently enslaves workers of the second host concurrently.
ISSN:0269-7653
1573-8477
DOI:10.1007/s10682-009-9308-2