Adrián Purkart, Miłosz Morawski, Adrian Masłowski , Łukasz Depa

Ant-mediated anholocyclic overwintering of Prociphilus fraxini (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Central Europe

Introduction

Ant-mediated anholocyclic overwintering of prociphilus fraxini (hemiptera: aphididae) in central europe. First documentation: Prociphilus fraxini aphid anholocyclic overwintering in Central Europe, mediated by ants. Highlights their mutualism.

Abstract

The first observations of the aphid Prociphilus fraxini (Fabricius, 1777) being involved in a mutualistic relationship with the ant Prenolepis nitens (Mayr, 1853) in Europe is documented. Mutualism of an aphid generation living with the ants Prenolepis nitens and Lasius brunneus (Latreille, 1798) is discussed in reference to the possible development of an overwintering parthenogenetic population of the aphid, persisting on the roots of its secondary host, Picea abies, due to coevolution of the aphid with ants.

Review

This manuscript presents a compelling first documentation of a mutualistic relationship between the aphid *Prociphilus fraxini* and the ant species *Prenolepis nitens* (and *Lasius brunneus*) in Central Europe. The core contribution lies in proposing that this ant-aphid association facilitates the anholocyclic overwintering of *P. fraxini* on the roots of its secondary host, *Picea abies*. This finding is significant as it sheds light on a previously unrecorded ecological interaction and offers a potential mechanism for aphid persistence in temperate climates, driven by interspecies mutualism. The strength of this work lies in identifying a novel biological observation and framing it within an ecologically and evolutionarily significant context. The proposed link between ant attendance and anholocyclic overwintering is a fascinating hypothesis, suggesting a sophisticated adaptive strategy for the aphid. Furthermore, the discussion of coevolution as a driving force behind this persistent parthenogenetic population adds an important theoretical dimension, implying long-term evolutionary pressures shaping these interdependencies. The specific identification of the organisms and geographical location provides valuable baseline data for future ecological studies. While the abstract outlines a highly interesting phenomenon, a full appreciation of the work will depend on the detailed evidence presented in the complete paper. Specifically, the mechanisms by which ants facilitate anholocyclic overwintering and the empirical support for the proposed coevolutionary development will be crucial. This study undoubtedly opens up promising avenues for further research into the complex dynamics of subterranean aphid-ant mutualisms, the environmental cues triggering anholocycly, and the evolutionary history of these intricate species interactions in forest ecosystems.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.