Rise of the Argentine Ant
Introduced Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) are rapidly displacing native ant species around the world as a result of: (1) aggression by frequently raiding, immobilizing and killing native ants, (2) less intraspecific competition due to genetic homogeneity, (3) competitive exclusion using large numbers, quick location and rapid recruitment, (4) and the absence of natural ant and parasitoid enemies. Native to Argentina, L. humile has been quickly spreading throughout the world at an incredible pace. They are currently present in six continents with at least 28 separate introductions (Suarez et al. 2001); primarily a result of human transportation. The introduction of L .humile in the US has been traced all the way back to a Brazilian cargo ship in Louisiana during 1890. Their ability to disperse rapidly cannot be overlooked as well. They can cover vast distances in short periods of time, with some expansion rates as a high as 154m/yr (Suarez et al. 2001). Even though L. humile is a fairly small species they are still very destructive, more so than many other species of ants. L. humile is responsible for the disruption of many ecosystems that they have invaded. The biggest reason for this is their ability to dominate other species, most notably other ant species. Early on reasons for this were unknown. How could such small ants displace other (native) ant species so quickly? Now the reasons are becoming clearer.
L. humile is a very aggressive ant species. They will raid, immobilize and sometimes kill native ants (Zee and Holway 2006), even when unprovoked. This is a key component of L. humile’s ability to displace native ant species. A study by Zee and Holway monitored potential raiding behav...
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...(Holway et al. 2002). This relationship will be critical in predicting future invasions as climate change continues to occur.
Aggressive behavior certainly gives L. humile the ability to out compete and dominate native ant species. The skills of quickly locating resources and fast recruitment proved to be very beneficial. With similar genetic make ups in introduced ranges, they can successfully work together and create massive super colonies seen in many places around the world today. Of course, maybe most importantly, is the lack of natural enemies. Without enemies there is essentially nothing limiting the expansion of L. humile. No doubt all these factors are playing some role in the takeover. Until we completely understand L. humile and the complex interactions that take place because of them, the displacement of native ant species will continue to occur.
The inspiring documentary film, E.O. Wilson—Of Ants and Men, showcases biologist Edward Osborne Wilson’s passion for preserving the biodiversity of our natural world. E.O. Wilson not only values the fascinating creatures (particularly ants) that he comes across during his research and in his daily life, but he also takes action and participates in the Gorongosa Restoration Project at Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, Africa. The destruction of Gorongosa demonstrates the call for us—Homo sapiens—to realize how critical it is to concern ourselves with protecting the very ecosystems that have molded us into the complex species that we are; according to E.O. Wilson, “We adapted over millions of years to wild environments…We really need them” (CITE?). The better effort we make to understand that we are a part of this large, interdependent ecological community, the better equipped we become in not only being
Intro: Charles Darwin’s natural selection comes to mind when viewing the aggressive behaviors in crickets. This interaction comes into play specifically when competition for resources, such as foods and females, are scarce. Thus, only the organism most fit in the environment would be allowed to survive and pass on its genes. Pioneers of animal behavior, pave the way to understanding the why animals act the way they act (von Frisch, 1967; Lorenz, 1952; and Tinbergen 1951). With further integration between different biological organizations, we see the rise of new possible research, especially in crickets (Wong & Hoffman, 2010). The house crickets, Acheta domesticus, would normally display little to no aggression between males because of their natural behavior to live in groups. But when isolated for a length of time, ag...
As the despondent adolescent slipped into a state of agony, a sense of worthlessness crept in to meet his already grueling state. The mindset of the child quickly degraded, as he ponders his inability to compare to his accomplished colleagues. Despite the terrible situation portrayed by the young student, children in today’s generation often experienced such a scenario. As a result, author Shirley Climo wrote “Little Red Ant and the Great Big Crumb” as a means of inspiring young learners by presenting them with an entertaining story with a universal moral (40).
... middle of paper ... ... Pike, Robert M. 2013. "The Species of the World."
The production of new ideas spark momentum for thought, the fabrication of machinery paves the way for innovations, and the expansion of human connection has led to new forms of participation. Historically, eras have been defined by the highlights of its period: the Stone Age allowed the development of tools while the Gold Age refined methods already produced to be more efficient in their purposes. If these are the things that define these eras, what has defined the twenty first century? In the later parts of the twentieth century, new technology like computer software ignited the world in a way never seen before. People all around the world were given access to connect with one another through the click of a button, and from there, the possibilities
Would you risk your own life and the lives of another 400 people just so you might have a chance at saving a coffee plantation? Well that’s what Leiningen did in the short story “Leiningen Versus the Ants”. And by doing so he has proved himself to be an over confident, persuasive, and sexist man. And is not a person to be admired.
In the years since African bees invaded the United States, hybridization has become common. This has been problematic to beekeepers, as hybridized bees have heightened defensive behavior that may lead to serious injuries, and they produce less honey than European bees. However, due to scientists using genetic testing and morphometry, it has become possible to distinguish between different species. These scientists have been able to solve real world problems and help others deal with problems that may result when speciation occurs. This lab also provides an example of how invasive species may create damage when introduced to unnatural environments. The aggressive nature of the African honeybee presents danger to other organisms in the surrounding ecosystem. The European honeybee species have suffered due to the African honeybees’ habit of taking over their colonies and creating hybrids. This incident remains a warning to scientist to take care and consider the consequences when releasing a species into a new
The movie that I chose for this analysis is called A Bug’s life directed by John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton. This movie begins in a colony of ants that is by a tree. The ants are gathering food for the offering. The offering is when ants gather all the food they can before the season. This food is demanded by the Grasshoppers that are led by Hopper. They demand the food from the ants, because that is supposedly the payback they have to pay so that the grasshoppers will not hurt them. Princess Atta and the Queen led the colony and they have commanded the ants to get all the food they can for the Grasshoppers. On the other hand there is an ant that is different from all the other ants. His name was Flik. Flik was an inventor that invented a
The invasive European honeybees create a competitive environment for the native bumblebee as their ecological niches (species’ total use of abiotic and biotic resources) overlap; thus, creating a niche differentiation (the increase in species using resources causes a wider range of resources being used) between the two species. The invasive and native bees exemplify a symbiotic relationship in which interaction could possibly be detrimental to both species—competition (an interaction in which species use the same resources). Moreover, the invasive European honeybee (Apis mellifera) decreases the population of the native bumblebee (Bombus occidentalis) in northern California by creating a niche overlap and competition for available resources in the coastal area (Thomson 2004). In reverse, B. occidentalis partially uses the resources of the Apis; thus, both species must fight for a limited availability of resources. Specifically, these two species are experiencing a consumption competitive interaction—both species are competing for nectar and pollen resources.
In many parts of the world, ecosystems’ temperatures begin to rise and fall to extreme levels making it very difficult for animals and plants to adapt in time to survive. Climate has never been stable here on Earth. Climate is an important environmental influence on ecosystems. Climate changes the impacts of climate change, and affects ecosystems in a variety of ways. For instance, warming could force species to migrate to higher latitudes or higher elevations where temperatures are more conducive to their survival. Similarly, as sea level rises, saltwater intrusion into a freshwater sys...
As the following report demonstrates, some species are adapting to climate changes while many others are not. In some cases, laboratory experiments have lead to the conclusion that certain species can or cannot adapt and evolve. This research is not sufficient to make definitive statements regarding what will happen to species if temperatures and sea levels continue to rise.
Invasive species, (also known as invasive alien species or simply alien species) are defined as any organism (plant, animal, pathogen, or other living thing) that is alien (non-native) to an ecosystem, which can cause adverse economical, ecological, or health effects to native species and/or humans. The roots of these problems all stem from the massive negative ecological impact these organisms are having on the environment (CBD, 2009). For all animal extinctions where the cause is known since the 1600’s, invasive alien species have been a contributing factor 40% of the time (CBD, 2006); the second most contributing factor to extinctions after loss of habitat (GC, 2013). By eliminating native species through competition for resources, predation, and transmittal of disease, invasive species continue to reduce biodiversity in almost all ecosystems around the world (CBD, 2009). In the future, this problem may worsen, and if no action is taken, could lead to a cascading ecological problem so large that whole communities or even ecosystems could collapse.
These ants are injurious since they cut the green vegetation from trees, shrubs and crops, and carry it into the nest, where they cultivate fungi on it. They have been known to denude a tree or ornamental plants in one night. It has been estimated they do $1 billion damage per year in North and South America today, these ants still cause millions of dollars in crop losses in many South American countries. Although primarily an agricultural pest, this insect on occasion may invade the home for cereals. In the United States, the Texas leaf-cutting ant, Atta texana , occurs in Texas and Louisiana.
In a few weeks, adult workers will emerge. It is their job to hunt for food and make the nest bigger. More workers will develop and the colony gets very organized. The new workers will take over as caretakers of the eggs, larvae, and pupae. Now the queens only duty is to lay more and more eggs, thousands of them in her lifetime. Many wingless workers develop and help to enlarge the nest into an intricate network of tunnels and chambers that will eventually house thousands of ants.
In reality, termites are not aggressive or grouped together. Swarming termites merely fly simultaneously from their nest to look for a new nesting site, food and potential mates. When this happens, you will notice flying insects that look similar to winged ants. Getting Your House Inspected Does Not Mean That You Are Termite Free Your house