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James Montoyalerma - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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immunity and survival response of atta Cephalotes hymenoptera myrmicinae workers to metarhizium anisopliae infection potential role of their associated microbiota
PLOS ONE, 2021Co-Authors: Sandra Milena Valenciagiraldo, Andrea Ninocastro, Andrea Lopezpena, Danna Trejosvidal, Odair Correabueno, James MontoyalermaAbstract:Leaf-cutting ants of the genera Atta and Acromyrmex are at constant risk of epizootics due to their dense living conditions and frequent social interactions between genetically related individuals. To help mitigate the risk of epizootics, these ants display individual and collective immune responses, including associations with symbiotic bacteria that can enhance their resistance to pathogenic infections. For example, Acromyrmex spp. harbor actinobacteria that control infection by Escovopsis in their fungal gardens. Although Atta spp. do not maintain symbiosis with protective actinobacteria, the evidence suggests that these insects are colonized by bacterial microbiota that may play a role in their defense against pathogens. The potential role of the bacterial microbiome of Atta workers in enhancing host immunity remains unexplored. We evaluated multiple parameters of the individual immunity of Atta Cephalotes (Linnaeus, 1758) workers, including hemocyte count, encapsulation response, and the antimicrobial activity of the hemolymph in the presence or absence of bacterial microbiota. Experiments were performed on ants reared under standard conditions as well as on ants previously exposed to the entomopathogenic fungus Metharrizium anisopliae. Furthermore, the effects of the presence/absence of bacteria on the survival of workers exposed to M. anisopliae were evaluated. The bacterial microbiota associated with A. Cephalotes workers does not modulate the number of hemocytes under control conditions or under conditions of exposure to the fungal pathogen. In addition, infection by M. anisopliae, but not microbiota, increases the encapsulation response. Similarly, the exposure of workers to this fungus led to increased hemolymph antimicrobial activity. Conversely, the removal of bacterial microbiota did not have a significant impact on the survival of workers with M. anisopliae. Our results suggest that the bacterial microbiota associated with the cuticle of A. Cephalotes workers does not play a role as a modulator of innate immunity, either at baseline or after exposure to the entomopathogen M. anisopliae. Further, upon infection, workers rely on mechanisms of humoral immunity to respond to this threat. Overall, our findings indicate that the bacterial microbiota associated with A. Cephalotes workers does not play a defensive role.
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characterization of a new set of microsatellite markers suggests polygyny and polyandry in atta Cephalotes hymenoptera formicidae
Journal of Economic Entomology, 2020Co-Authors: Vanessa Munozvalencia, James Montoyalerma, Kirsi Kahkonen, Fernando DiazAbstract:The leaf-cutting ant, Atta Cephalotes L. (1758), is a major herbivore with great economic impact in the Neotropics. Because of its broad range and human-mediated dissemination, the ecology of this ant has received considerable attention; however, questions concerning its population genetics, dispersal, and social structure remain unexplored. Here, we aimed to identify and provide information on molecular and statistical performance of a suite of polymorphic microsatellite markers for A. Cephalotes while demonstrating their utility for further genetic studies. We designed primer sequences targeting thousands of microsatellite loci and then screened 30 of these for amplification and polymorphism. Fifteen of these loci were selected and used to evaluate their polymorphism using 74 ants sampled from 15 different nests of the same location. This set of 15 loci exhibited variation of 2-20 alleles, with a mean heterozygosity of 0.57. All loci followed Hardy-Weinberg expectations with no evidence of linkage disequilibrium, while two loci showed evidence of null alleles. Our preliminary analysis suggested substantial nest differentiation with no population viscosity within the sampled location, as well as colonies with multiple queens (polygyny) and paternity (polyandry). Our newly identified microsatellites have proven to be highly informative to investigate gene flow, social structure and reproduction of this key agricultural pest.
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effect of tithonia diversifolia mulch on atta Cephalotes hymenoptera formicidae nests
Journal of Insect Science, 2015Co-Authors: Jonathan Rodríguez, James Montoyalerma, Zoraida CalleAbstract:Recent studies have shown an insecticidal effect of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) Gray (Asterales: Asteraceae) foliage on workers of Atta Cephalotes L. and inhibitory effects of this plant on the growth of the symbiotic fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus (A. Muler) Singer. To evaluate the potential of T. diversifolia as a biological control treatment of this important pest, we assessed the effect of green manure (mulch) of this plant on natural nests of A. Cephalotes, in Cali, Colombia. Three treatments were randomly assigned to 30 nests: 1) green mulch of T. diversifolia, 2) green mulch of Miconia sp., Ruiz & Pav. and 3) unmulched control. Every 2 wk for 6 mo, the surface of the nests was completely covered with leaves. Physical and chemical parameters of nest soil were assessed before the first and after the last application of the mulch. Ant foraging in T. diversifolia-treated nests decreased by 60% after the initial applications of the mulch, while nest surface area decreased by 40%. When the nests covered with T. diversifolia were opened, it was observed that the superficial fungus chambers had been relocated at a greater depth. In addition, microbial activity and soil pH increased by 84% and 12%, respectively, in nests covered with plant residues. In conclusion, the continued use of T. diversifolia mulch reduces foraging activity and negatively affects the internal conditions of the colonies, thereby inducing the ants to relocate the fungus chambers within the nests.
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toxicity of foliage extracts of tithonia diversifolia asteraceae on atta Cephalotes hymenoptera myrmicinae workers
Industrial Crops and Products, 2013Co-Authors: Karen Castanoquintana, James Montoyalerma, Carolina GiraldoecheverriAbstract:Abstract Leaf-cutting ants (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) have been considered herbivorous generalists; however, some plant species escape their attack because of the presence of secondary metabolites. The main objective of this study was to determine the insecticide effect of foliage extracts of Tithonia diversifolia on Atta Cephalotes workers (Hymenoptera: Myrmicinae) and define the potential application ways and concentrations. Extracts were obtained from fresh and dry T. diversifolia foliage, using ethanol as solvent. The principal metabolic compounds were identified and the extracts in three concentrations (0.5 ml/l, 1.5 ml/l, and 3 ml/l) were applied to the ants in two manners: ingestion and contact. Results showed that crude extract of T. diversifolia was toxic to the ants in all concentrations and methods tested; however, dry extracts applied for contact at 1.5-ml/l concentration produced the most efficient toxic effect to A. Cephalotes workers. The study contributes to identifying an environmental sound control strategy for the leaf-cutting ant, A. Cephalotes .
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herbivoria de atta Cephalotes hymenoptera myrmicinae sobre tres sustratos vegetales
Revista Colombiana De Entomologia, 2008Co-Authors: Jhonattan Rodriguez G, Zoraida Calle D, James MontoyalermaAbstract:A recent study suggests a significant reduction of herbivory by the leaf cutting ant, Atta Cephalotes, in plantations of the pioneer tree (Montanoa quadrangularis (Asteraceae)) when associated and fertilized with green foliage of the Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae)). These observations suggest a dissuasive effect of this plant on foraging by the ants. In order to test this hypothesis, under laboratory conditions seven experimental colonies of A. Cephalotes were offered three plant diets to choose among (i.e.: foliage of mango, Mangifera indica (Anacardiaceae), yellow candle Pachystachys lutea (Nees) (Anacardiaceae) and T. diversifolia (Asteraceae) during three periods of 21 days. Consumption was estimated by measuring and weighing the foliage before and after being deposited into each colony. In the first assay, there was a significant (P 0.5) were observed in the percent consumption of the diets, although mango foliage was the first to be consumed by the ants. The results allow us to conclude that under the experimental conditions, A. Cephalotes has a greater preference for mango foliage, but when the availability of this resource is minimal, they forage in an opportunistic way on other resources such as T. diversifolia, even if these are not preferred. The study provides more evidence that this plant is not attractive to leaf-cutting ants.
Alejandro G Farjibrener - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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reassessing the role of fallen branches as part of leaf cutting ant hymenoprera formicidae trails on leaf transport rates
Sociobiology, 2009Co-Authors: Hugo Mogollon, Alejandro G FarjibrenerAbstract:We analyzed the role of fallen branches as part of trunk trails in the leaf-cutting ant Atta Cephalotes. Laden ants walked faster along a fallen branch than along trails, but were slower when ascending or descending a fallen branch. When this delay is included, the estimation of the reduction of travel time at the colony level drops up to 60% with respect to earlier measurements. To maximize foraging efficiency, leaf-cutting ants should select long fallen branches.
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fallen branches as part of leaf cutting ant trails their role in resource discovery and leaf transport rates in atta Cephalotes
Biotropica, 2007Co-Authors: Alejandro G Farjibrener, Gilbert Barrantes, O Laverde, K Fierrocalderon, F Bascope, Adriana Olvera LopezAbstract:Fallen branches, logs, and exposed roots (fallen branches hereafter) commonly form part of the trunk trail system of leaf-cutting ants that inhabit the tropical rain forest. We studied the role of fallen branches on resource discovering and on leaf transport rates in Atta Cephalotes. Fallen branches were common components of the A. Cephalotes trail system; they were present in all the nests, and in the majority of the trunk trails examined (13/16). A field experiment revealed that, at the beginning of their foraging activity, ants discovered food sources located at the end of fallen branches earlier than those located on the leaf litter. Additionally, laden ants walked faster along a fallen branch than along soil tracks of the trunk trails. This increment in speed was higher in slow-walking ants (e.g., with larger loads) than in fast-walking ants (e.g., with smaller loads). These results suggest that the presence of fallen branches may direct the searching effort of leaf-cutters and increase the foraging speed of laden ants when these structures are part of the trunk trail system. The advantages of using fallen branches as part of a trail system, and their potential consequences in the spatial foraging pattern of leaf-cutting ants, are discussed.
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the importance of where to dump the refuse seed banks and fine roots in nests of the leaf cutting ants atta Cephalotes and a colombica1
Biotropica, 2000Co-Authors: Alejandro G Farjibrener, Claudia A MedinaAbstract:The location of the nutrient-rich organic refuse produced by a leaf-cutting ant colony varies among ant species. Atta Cephalotes locate their organic refuse in subterranean chambers, whereas A. colombica place their organic refuse on the soil surface near the nest. We studied the effect of the absence or presence of external organic refuse on the abundance of fine roots and seed bank composition in the superficial horizons of ant nests. We sampled soils from ant nests or dumps and adjacent areas of 15 adult nests of A. Cephalotes at La Selva (LS), Costa Rica, and of 15 of A. colombica nests on Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama. Soils from A. Cephalotes nests did not differ from adjacent soils in abundance of fine-root and seed diversity. In contrast, organic refuse from A. colombica nests was less diverse in seed composition (due to the great abundance of Miconia argentea) and had a greater abundance of fine roots than adjacent areas. Thus the external location of the ant-nest organic refuse is potentially important in determining the different types of plant recolonization in abandoned or dead ant nests. The relative abundance of these Atta species may influence the structure and/or composition of tropical forests.
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the role of trunk trails in the scouting activity of the leaf cutting ant atta Cephalotes
Ecoscience, 1998Co-Authors: Alejandro G Farjibrener, Claudia SierraAbstract:AbstractWe evaluated the relationship between the trail system and the scouting activity of the leaf-cutting ant Atta Cephalotes (L). We counted the number of scout ants in 11 nests at different positions along the trail, before and after tree access was prevented. A. Cephalotes tends to search only at limited distances from the end of major trails, suggesting that this leaf-cutting ant employs an area restricted search. We suggest that by scouting mainly at the end of trails, A. Cephalotes can concentrate on palatable patches reducing the cost of trail building and minimizing competition with neighboring colonies. This pattern also provides evidence to explain both the conservational grazing and optimal foraging hypotheses postulated for this leaf-cutting ant.
C Moreau - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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localization of bacterial communities within gut compartments across Cephalotes turtle ants
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2021Co-Authors: Peter J Flynn, Jacob A Russell, Catherine L Damelio, Jon G Sanders, C MoreauAbstract:Microbial communities within the animal digestive tract often provide important functions for their hosts. The composition of eukaryotes' gut bacteria can be shaped by host diet, vertical bacterial transmission, and physiological variation within the digestive tract. In several ant taxa, recent findings have demonstrated that nitrogen provisioning by symbiotic bacteria makes up for deficiencies in herbivorous diets. Using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and qPCR, this study examined bacterial communities at a fine scale across one such animal group, the turtle ant genus Cephalotes We analyzed the composition and colonization density across four portions of the digestive tract to understand how bacterial diversity is structured across gut compartments, potentially allowing for specific metabolic functions of benefit to the host. In addition, we aimed to understand if caste differentiation or host relatedness influences the gut bacterial communities of Cephalotes ants. Microbial communities were found to vary strongly across Cephalotes gut compartments in ways that transcend both caste and host phylogeny. Despite this, caste and host phylogeny still have detectable effects. We demonstrated microbial community divergence across gut compartments, possibly due to the varying function of each gut compartment for digestion.IMPORTANCE Gut compartments play an important role in structuring the microbial community within individual ants. The gut chambers of the turtle ant digestive tract differ remarkably in symbiont abundance and diversity. Furthermore, caste type explains some variation in the microbiome composition. Finally, the evolutionary history of the Cephalotes species structures the microbiome in our study, which elucidates a trend in which related ants maintain related microbiomes, conceivably owing to co-speciation. Amazingly, gut compartment-specific signatures of microbial diversity, relative abundance, composition, and abundance have been conserved over Cephalotes evolutionary history, signifying that this symbiosis has been largely stable for over 50 million years.
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correlates of gut community composition across an ant species Cephalotes varians elucidate causes and consequences of symbiotic variability
Molecular Ecology, 2014Co-Authors: Piotr łukasik, C Moreau, Jacob A RussellAbstract:Insect guts are often colonized by multispecies microbial communities that play integral roles in nutrition, digestion and defence. Community composition can differ across host species with increasing dietary and genetic divergence, yet gut microbiota can also vary between conspecific hosts and across an individual's lifespan. Through exploration of such intraspecific variation and its correlates, molecular profiling of microbial communities can generate and test hypotheses on the causes and consequences of symbioses. In this study, we used 454 pyrosequencing and TRFLP to achieve these goals in an herbivorous ant, Cephalotes varians, exploring variation in bacterial communities across colonies, populations and workers reared on different diets. C. varians bacterial communities were dominated by 16 core species present in over two-thirds of the sampled colonies. Core species comprised multiple genotypes, or strains and hailed from ant-specific clades containing relatives from other Cephalotes species. Yet three were detected in environmental samples, suggesting the potential for environmental acquisition. In spite of their prevalence and long-standing relationships with Cephalotes ants, the relative abundance and genotypic composition of core species varied across colonies. Diet-induced plasticity is a likely cause, but only pollen-based diets had consistent effects, altering the abundance of two types of bacteria. Additional factors, such as host age, genetics, chance or natural selection, must therefore shape natural variation. Future studies on these possibilities and on bacterial contributions to the use of pollen, a widespread food source across Cephalotes, will be important steps in developing C. varians as a model for studying widespread social insect-bacteria symbioses.
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surveying the microbiome of ants comparing 454 pyrosequencing with traditional methods to uncover bacterial diversity
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2013Co-Authors: Stefanie Kautz, Jacob A Russell, Benjamin E R Rubin, C MoreauAbstract:We are only beginning to understand the depth and breadth of microbial associations across the eukaryotic tree of life. Reliably assessing bacterial diversity is a key challenge, and next-generation sequencing approaches are facilitating this endeavor. In this study, we used 16S rRNA amplicon pyrosequencing to survey microbial diversity in ants. We compared 454 libraries with Sanger-sequenced clone libraries as well as cultivation of live bacteria. Pyrosequencing yielded 95,656 bacterial 16S rRNA reads from 19 samples derived from four colonies of one ant species. The most dominant bacterial orders in the microbiome of the turtle ant Cephalotes varians were Rhizobiales, Burkholderiales, Opitutales, Xanthomonadales, and Campylobacterales ,a s revealed through both 454 sequencing and cloning. Even after stringent qualityfiltering, pyrosequencing recovered 445 microbe operational taxonomic units (OTUs) not detected with traditional techniques. In comparing bacterial communities associated with specific tissues, we found that gut tissues had significantly higher diversity than nongut tissues, and many of the OTUs identified from these groups clustered within ant-specific lineages, indicating a deep coevolutionary history of Cephalotesants and their associated microbes. These lineages likely function as nutritional symbionts. One of four ant colonies investigated was infected with aSpiroplasma sp. (orderEntomoplasmatales), a potential ant pathogen. Our work shows that the microbiome associated with Cephalotes varians is dominated by a few dozen bacterial lineages and that 454 sequencing is a cost-efficient tool to screen ant symbiont diversity.
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bacterial gut symbionts are tightly linked with the evolution of herbivory in ants
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2009Co-Authors: Jacob A Russell, C Moreau, Benjamin Goldmanhuertas, Mikiko K Fujiwara, David J Lohman, Naomi E PierceAbstract:Ants are a dominant feature of terrestrial ecosystems, yet we know little about the forces that drive their evolution. Recent findings illustrate that their diets range from herbivorous to predaceous, with “herbivores” feeding primarily on exudates from plants and sap-feeding insects. Persistence on these nitrogen-poor food sources raises the question of how ants obtain sufficient nutrition. To investigate the potential role of symbiotic microbes, we have surveyed 283 species from 18 of the 21 ant subfamilies using molecular techniques. Our findings uncovered a wealth of bacteria from across the ants. Notable among the surveyed hosts were herbivorous “turtle ants” from the related genera Cephalotes and Procryptocerus (tribe Cephalotini). These commonly harbored bacteria from ant-specific clades within the Burkholderiales, Pseudomonadales, Rhizobiales, Verrucomicrobiales, and Xanthomonadales, and studies of lab-reared Cephalotes varians characterized these microbes as symbiotic residents of ant guts. Although most of these symbionts were confined to turtle ants, bacteria from an ant-specific clade of Rhizobiales were more broadly distributed. Statistical analyses revealed a strong relationship between herbivory and the prevalence of Rhizobiales gut symbionts within ant genera. Furthermore, a consideration of the ant phylogeny identified at least five independent origins of symbioses between herbivorous ants and related Rhizobiales. Combined with previous findings and the potential for symbiotic nitrogen fixation, our results strongly support the hypothesis that bacteria have facilitated convergent evolution of herbivory across the ants, further implicating symbiosis as a major force in ant evolution.
Flávio Henrique Caetano - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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molecular and ultrastructural profiles of the symbionts in Cephalotes ants
Micron, 2010Co-Authors: Murillo Lino Bution, Flávio Henrique Caetano, C Bresil, R H R Destefano, M F De A Tango, W D Da Silveira, Luciana C Paulino, Vera Nisaka SolferiniAbstract:Abstract The molecular and ultrastructural profiles of the symbionts found in the midgut and ileum of Cephalotes atratus , Cephalotes clypeatus , and Cephalotes pusillus were determined using the V3 region of the bacterial 16S rDNA gene and transmission electron microscopy (T.E.M.). Two samples of C. atratus , three of C. clypeatus , and six of C. pusillus were analyzed. The coefficients of similarity ranged from 80% to 94% for the samples of symbionts from C. clypeatus and C. atratus , despite being collected in geographically distant sites. The variability within symbionts found in the samples of C. pusillus varied from 29% to 55%, in samples geographically close as well as distant. PCR–DGGE was effective for the purpose of this study and can be considered a versatile tool to analyze gut microbiota. Details of the ultrastructural aspect of these bacteria are presented.
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The midgut of Cephalotes ants (Formicidae: Myrmicinae): ultrastructure of the epithelium and symbiotic bacteria.
Micron (Oxford England : 1993), 2010Co-Authors: Murillo Lino Bution, Flávio Henrique CaetanoAbstract:The ultrastructural analysis of the midgut of Cephalotes atratus, C. clypeatus, and C. pusillus reveled that the midgut epithelium lays on a basal lamina and is composed basically of three cell types: digestive cells, regenerative cells, and goblet cells. In these ants, the rough endoplasmic reticulum, in addition to producing digestive enzymes, is involved in the formation of concretions and ion storage in specialized vacuoles present in the midgut. These concretions are spherocrystals and may contribute to stabilize the pH and to maintain symbiotic bacteria found between microvilli. The ultrastructure analysis of these bacteria revealed the presence of a double envelope typical of gram-negative bacteria. For the three species examined, the ultrastructure similarities are conspicuous, suggesting that this may be the pattern for the genus Cephalotes. Details of the relationship between bacteria and microvilli were examined.
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Symbiotic bacteria and the structural specializations in the ileum of Cephalotes ants.
Micron (Oxford England : 1993), 2010Co-Authors: Murillo Lino Bution, Flávio Henrique CaetanoAbstract:Light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine the ultramorphology and ultrastructure of the ileum of Cephalotes atratus, Cephalotes clypeatus, and Cephalotes pusillus. Sections along the ileum revealed differences among the three main regions: proximal (or pylorus), medial, and distal. The structural specializations present in the ileum of these three ants have implications especially to the symbiotic bacteria harbored in this region of the digestive tract. The structural similarities are conspicuous for the three species examined, suggesting that this is the pattern adopted by the genus Cephalotes.
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ileum of the Cephalotes ants a specialized structure to harbor symbionts microorganisms
Micron, 2008Co-Authors: Murillo Lino Bution, Flávio Henrique CaetanoAbstract:We conducted comparative morphological studies of the tract digestive of Cephalotes atratus, C. clypeatus and C. pusillus, aiming at describing the relationships among these three species, as well as the histochemical, enzymatic, and ultra-morphological differences of the wall and the contents of the digestive tract, therefore contributing for the understanding of the relationships between symbionts and their host.
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Contribution of the Malpighian tubules for the maintenance of symbiotic microorganisms in Cephalotes ants.
Micron (Oxford England : 1993), 2008Co-Authors: Murillo Lino Bution, Flávio Henrique Caetano, Fernando José ZaraAbstract:Given the physiological importance of the Malpighian tubules to homeostasis in ants, this study aimed to characterize the enzymology, histology, histochemistry, and ultramorphology of the Malpighian tubules of Cephalotes atratus, C. clypeatus, and C. pusillus, as a contribution for the understanding of this organ, as well as to examine its role in the maintenance of symbiontic microorganisms in the ileum of these ants.
Murillo Lino Bution - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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molecular and ultrastructural profiles of the symbionts in Cephalotes ants
Micron, 2010Co-Authors: Murillo Lino Bution, Flávio Henrique Caetano, C Bresil, R H R Destefano, M F De A Tango, W D Da Silveira, Luciana C Paulino, Vera Nisaka SolferiniAbstract:Abstract The molecular and ultrastructural profiles of the symbionts found in the midgut and ileum of Cephalotes atratus , Cephalotes clypeatus , and Cephalotes pusillus were determined using the V3 region of the bacterial 16S rDNA gene and transmission electron microscopy (T.E.M.). Two samples of C. atratus , three of C. clypeatus , and six of C. pusillus were analyzed. The coefficients of similarity ranged from 80% to 94% for the samples of symbionts from C. clypeatus and C. atratus , despite being collected in geographically distant sites. The variability within symbionts found in the samples of C. pusillus varied from 29% to 55%, in samples geographically close as well as distant. PCR–DGGE was effective for the purpose of this study and can be considered a versatile tool to analyze gut microbiota. Details of the ultrastructural aspect of these bacteria are presented.
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The midgut of Cephalotes ants (Formicidae: Myrmicinae): ultrastructure of the epithelium and symbiotic bacteria.
Micron (Oxford England : 1993), 2010Co-Authors: Murillo Lino Bution, Flávio Henrique CaetanoAbstract:The ultrastructural analysis of the midgut of Cephalotes atratus, C. clypeatus, and C. pusillus reveled that the midgut epithelium lays on a basal lamina and is composed basically of three cell types: digestive cells, regenerative cells, and goblet cells. In these ants, the rough endoplasmic reticulum, in addition to producing digestive enzymes, is involved in the formation of concretions and ion storage in specialized vacuoles present in the midgut. These concretions are spherocrystals and may contribute to stabilize the pH and to maintain symbiotic bacteria found between microvilli. The ultrastructure analysis of these bacteria revealed the presence of a double envelope typical of gram-negative bacteria. For the three species examined, the ultrastructure similarities are conspicuous, suggesting that this may be the pattern for the genus Cephalotes. Details of the relationship between bacteria and microvilli were examined.
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Symbiotic bacteria and the structural specializations in the ileum of Cephalotes ants.
Micron (Oxford England : 1993), 2010Co-Authors: Murillo Lino Bution, Flávio Henrique CaetanoAbstract:Light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine the ultramorphology and ultrastructure of the ileum of Cephalotes atratus, Cephalotes clypeatus, and Cephalotes pusillus. Sections along the ileum revealed differences among the three main regions: proximal (or pylorus), medial, and distal. The structural specializations present in the ileum of these three ants have implications especially to the symbiotic bacteria harbored in this region of the digestive tract. The structural similarities are conspicuous for the three species examined, suggesting that this is the pattern adopted by the genus Cephalotes.
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ileum of the Cephalotes ants a specialized structure to harbor symbionts microorganisms
Micron, 2008Co-Authors: Murillo Lino Bution, Flávio Henrique CaetanoAbstract:We conducted comparative morphological studies of the tract digestive of Cephalotes atratus, C. clypeatus and C. pusillus, aiming at describing the relationships among these three species, as well as the histochemical, enzymatic, and ultra-morphological differences of the wall and the contents of the digestive tract, therefore contributing for the understanding of the relationships between symbionts and their host.
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Contribution of the Malpighian tubules for the maintenance of symbiotic microorganisms in Cephalotes ants.
Micron (Oxford England : 1993), 2008Co-Authors: Murillo Lino Bution, Flávio Henrique Caetano, Fernando José ZaraAbstract:Given the physiological importance of the Malpighian tubules to homeostasis in ants, this study aimed to characterize the enzymology, histology, histochemistry, and ultramorphology of the Malpighian tubules of Cephalotes atratus, C. clypeatus, and C. pusillus, as a contribution for the understanding of this organ, as well as to examine its role in the maintenance of symbiontic microorganisms in the ileum of these ants.