The red imported fire ant,Solenopsis invicta Buren,poses a significant threat to biodiversity,agriculture,and public health in its introduced ranges.While chemicals such as toxic baits and dust are the main methods fo...The red imported fire ant,Solenopsis invicta Buren,poses a significant threat to biodiversity,agriculture,and public health in its introduced ranges.While chemicals such as toxic baits and dust are the main methods for S.invicta control,toxic baits are slow,requiring approximately one or two weeks,but dust can eliminate the colony of fire ants rapidly in just three to five days.To explore more active ingredients for fire ant control using dusts,the toxicity of bifenthrin and dimefluthrin,the horizontal transfer of bifenthrin and dimefluthrin dust and their efficacy in the field were tested.The results showed that the LD50(lethal dose) values of bifenthrin and dimefluthrin were 3.40 and 1.57 ng/ant,respectively.The KT50(median knockdown time) and KT95(95%knockdown time) values of a 20μg mL^(–1)bifenthrin dose were 7.179and 16.611 min,respectively.The KT50and KT95of a 5μg mL^(–1)dimefluthrin dose were 1.538 and 2.825 min,respectively.The horizontal transfers of bifenthrin and dimefluthrin among workers were effective.The mortality of recipients (secondary mortality) and secondary recipients (tertiary mortality) were both over 80%at 48 h after 0.25,0.50 and 1.00%bifenthrin dust treatments.The secondary mortality of recipients was over 99%at 48 h after 0.25,0.50 and 1.00% dimefluthrin dust treatments,but the tertiary mortality was below 20%.The field trial results showed that both bifenthrin and dimefluthrin exhibited excellent fire ant control effects,and the comprehensive control effects of 1.00%bifenthrin and dimefluthrin dusts at 14 d post-treatment were 95.87 and 85.70%,respectively.展开更多
The present research investigated a segment of the micro-arthropod populations residing within nests of Messor arenarius ants in the Negev Desert of Israel. The total frequencies of micro-arthropods in the chaff of th...The present research investigated a segment of the micro-arthropod populations residing within nests of Messor arenarius ants in the Negev Desert of Israel. The total frequencies of micro-arthropods in the chaff of those ants’ nests were found to be higher than in the surrounding soil of the same nests. Acari (mites) were observed to be more abundant during the spring season, whereas their presence decreased during the summer months. Springtails (Collembola) were found to follow the Acari pattern, commonly found within the nests of those ants during spring but were absent during summer. Psocoptera order inhabiting soil habitats were infrequently encountered during spring, but their prevalence increased significantly during summer, particularly within the chaff of the ants’ nests, suggesting that chaff is their primary food source in the Negev Desert. Our research suggests that shifts in seasonality have important consequences on the distribution of soil invertebrate communities with implications on nutrient cycling.展开更多
Many extant species spin cocoons before their pupal stage,which can protect them from predators,pathogens,and fluctuant environmental factors in nests.However,owing to the scarcity of ant cocoon fossils,little is know...Many extant species spin cocoons before their pupal stage,which can protect them from predators,pathogens,and fluctuant environmental factors in nests.However,owing to the scarcity of ant cocoon fossils,little is known about the origin and evolution of this behavior in Formicidae.Here,we describe two ant pupae specimens from Myanmar amber.The presence of cocoons in these Mesozoic fossils suggests the ancestral origin of spinning cocoon behavior;based on our phylogenetic analysis and ancestral state reconstruction,this behavior was secondarily lost at least six times in Formicidae,which could be ascribed to the transition of nesting and feeding habits,as well as the development of eusociality.Moreover,the first specimen preserved worker ants with empty cocoons simultaneously,indicating garbage removal or brood care behavior,which improves our understanding of their eusociality in the Cretaceous.展开更多
The ants are one of the mega diverse insets found in all terrestrial environments, and occur in great diversity, richness and abundance, acting at all trophic levels. The present study was conducted to verify the know...The ants are one of the mega diverse insets found in all terrestrial environments, and occur in great diversity, richness and abundance, acting at all trophic levels. The present study was conducted to verify the knowledge of ant fauna at Caxiuanã National forest. All available ant literature and some collection in Caxiuanã were compiled and analyzed in EXCEL program. Caxiuanã is one Brazilian Amazonia forest that has good biological conservation. A total of 197 species belonging to 52 genera of the nine subfamilies are present in Caxiuanã. Many studies need to be done in this place to understand the ant community pattern to give base for other studies and proposal for use, management and conservation of this interesting Amazonia place.展开更多
The ants are one of the mega diverse insets found in all terrestrial environments, and occur in great diversity, richness and abundance, acting at all trophic levels. The present study was conducted to verify the know...The ants are one of the mega diverse insets found in all terrestrial environments, and occur in great diversity, richness and abundance, acting at all trophic levels. The present study was conducted to verify the knowledge of ant fauna at Caxiuanã National forest. All available ant literature and some collection in Caxiuanã were compiled and analyzed in EXCEL program. Caxiuanã is one Brazilian Amazonia forest that has good biological conservation. A total of 197 species belonging to 52 genera of the nine subfamilies are present in Caxiuanã. Many studies need to be done in this place to understand the ant community pattern to give base for other studies and proposal for use, management and conservation of this interesting Amazonia place.展开更多
A new ant species, Strongylognathus tylonum , sp. n. is described from Mt. Taibai in Shaanxi Province, China. Description is given for the worker caste. The species is morphologically close to S. karawajewi Pis...A new ant species, Strongylognathus tylonum , sp. n. is described from Mt. Taibai in Shaanxi Province, China. Description is given for the worker caste. The species is morphologically close to S. karawajewi Pisarski. A key based on worker caste is preposed for the 3 species known in China. The type specimens of the new species is deposited in the Insect Collection, College of Forestry, Northwest Sci Tech University of Agriculture and Forestry.展开更多
The third species of the ant genus Perissomyrmex in the world, P. fissus sp. nov., is collected from Ailao Mountain Nature Reserve of Yunnan Province. Perissomyrmex is a new record genus in China. Taxonomic key based ...The third species of the ant genus Perissomyrmex in the world, P. fissus sp. nov., is collected from Ailao Mountain Nature Reserve of Yunnan Province. Perissomyrmex is a new record genus in China. Taxonomic key based on worker caste is provided for the 3 species: P. snyderi Smith, P. monticola de Andrade, and P. fissus sp. nov.展开更多
Four new species of the ant genus Ponera Latreille are described from the Gaoligongshan Mountain Nature Reserve of Yunnan Province. Up to date, 12 species of the genus are recorded in China, i.e. P.sinensis Whe...Four new species of the ant genus Ponera Latreille are described from the Gaoligongshan Mountain Nature Reserve of Yunnan Province. Up to date, 12 species of the genus are recorded in China, i.e. P.sinensis Wheeler, P.alisana Terayama, P.chiponensis Terayama, Ponera pentodontos Xu, Ponera menglana Xu, Ponera nangongshana Xu, Ponera longlina Xu, Ponera baka Xu, Ponera xantha, sp. nov., Ponera pianmana, sp. nov., Ponera bawana, sp. nov., Ponera diodonta, sp. nov. A key to 12 species in China based on worker caste with figures is provided. All the type specimens are deposited in the Insect Collection, Southwest Forestry College.展开更多
In this paper,2 new species of the ant genus Polyrhachis Smith found in Yunnan Province of China,P cyphonota sp n and P bakana sp n,were described P cyphonota sp n belongs to the subgenus Cyrtomyrma Forel P bakana sp ...In this paper,2 new species of the ant genus Polyrhachis Smith found in Yunnan Province of China,P cyphonota sp n and P bakana sp n,were described P cyphonota sp n belongs to the subgenus Cyrtomyrma Forel P bakana sp n belongs to the subgenus Myrmhopla Forel P bakana sp n was found in the tropical rain forest of Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve展开更多
A new species of the genus Recurvidris Bolton, Recurvidris glabriceps sp. nov. collected from south China is described. A key to Chinese known species of the genus based on worker caste is presented.
Eight species of the ant genus Ponera Latreille are recorded in China, among them 5 new species are discovered and described from Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve of Yunnan Province: P. sinensis Wheeler distribute...Eight species of the ant genus Ponera Latreille are recorded in China, among them 5 new species are discovered and described from Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve of Yunnan Province: P. sinensis Wheeler distributed in Hong Kong; P. alisana Terayama and P. chiponensis Terayama distributed in Taiwan Province; P. pentodontos , sp. nov., P. menglana , sp. nov., P. nangongshana , sp. nov., P. longlina , sp. nov., and P. baka , sp. nov. distributed in Yunnan Province. A key based on worker caste is provided for the 8 species. The type specimens are deposited in the Insect Collection, Southwest Forestry College, Kunming, Yunnan, China.展开更多
A new species of the ant genus Epitritus Emery, E. dayui sp. nov., is collected in Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, China. Up to date, 4 species of the genus are known in China: E. hexamerus ...A new species of the ant genus Epitritus Emery, E. dayui sp. nov., is collected in Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, China. Up to date, 4 species of the genus are known in China: E. hexamerus Brown, E. formosus Terayama, Lin et Wu, E. hirashimai Ogata, and E. dayui sp. nov. A key based on worker and female castes is proposed for the 4 known species of Epitritus of East Asia.展开更多
Two new genera of the ant subfamilies Dorylinae and Ponerinae are collected and described from the tropical rain forest of Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve,Yunnan Province,China. Yunodorylus gen nov belongs to the subf...Two new genera of the ant subfamilies Dorylinae and Ponerinae are collected and described from the tropical rain forest of Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve,Yunnan Province,China. Yunodorylus gen nov belongs to the subfamily Dorylinae,which is monotypic and terrestrial with 2 colonies of the species Y sexspinus sp nov. collected from the soil sample of seasonal rain forest and deciduous monsoon forest. Bannapone gen nov. belongs to the tribe Amblyoponini of Ponerinae,which is also monotypic and known only from a dealate female of the species B mulanae sp nov.collected from a soil sample in semi evergreen monsoon forest.展开更多
In January 2022,we received ant specimens collected from three field colonies from Shantou City,Guangdong Province,China.They were identified as the little fire ant,Wasmannia auropunctata,through morphological and mol...In January 2022,we received ant specimens collected from three field colonies from Shantou City,Guangdong Province,China.They were identified as the little fire ant,Wasmannia auropunctata,through morphological and molecular analyses.Wasmannia auropunctata is listed as one of the 100 most dangerous invasive species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN)and has spread from its native range in South America to every continent except Antarctica.DNA analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I(COI)in nine specimens of W.auropunctata found that they had a close genetic relationship with specimens from Argentina.This study represents the first formal record of the establishment of W.auropunctata outdoor in Chinese mainland.However,the invasion stage and occurrence degree of W.auropunctata in China are not clear to date.The implementation of quarantine measures,investigation of the occurrence and distribution,and development of monitoring and control strategies are needed to actively respond to the threat posed by this highly invasive ant.展开更多
Most described Mesozoic ants belong to stem groups that existed only during the Cretaceous period.Previously,the earliest known crown ants were dated to the Turonian(Late Cretaceous,ca.94-90 million years ago(Ma))depo...Most described Mesozoic ants belong to stem groups that existed only during the Cretaceous period.Previously,the earliest known crown ants were dated to the Turonian(Late Cretaceous,ca.94-90 million years ago(Ma))deposits found in the USA,Kazakhstan,and Botswana.However,the recent discovery of an alate male ant in Kachin amber from the earliest Cenomanian(ca.99 Ma),representing a new genus and species,Antiquiformica alata,revises the narrative on ant diversification.Antiquiformica can be distinctly differentiated from all known male stem ants by its geniculate antennae with elongated scape,extending far beyond the occipital margin of the head and half the length of the funiculus,as well as its partly reduced forewing venation.Furthermore,the combination of a one-segmented waist with a well-developed node,elongated scape extending beyond the occipital margin,and reduced forewing venation,particularly the completely reduced m-cu and rs-m crossveins and absence of rm and mcu closed cells,firmly places the fossil within the extant subfamily Formicinae.Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)confirmed that the amber containing Antiquiformica alata originated from the Kachin mines in Myanmar.This discovery significantly revises our understanding of the early evolution of Formicinae.The presence of Antiquiformica in Cenomanian amber indicates that the subfamily Formicinae emerged at least by the start of the Late Cretaceous,with crown ants likely originating earlier during the earliest Cretaceous or possibly the Late Jurassic,although paleontological evidence is lacking to support the latter hypothesis.展开更多
Proteus mirabilis is abundant in soil and water,and although it is part of the normal human intestinal flora(along with Klebsiella species and Escherichia coli),it is known to cause serious infections in humans,with a...Proteus mirabilis is abundant in soil and water,and although it is part of the normal human intestinal flora(along with Klebsiella species and Escherichia coli),it is known to cause serious infections in humans,with a fatality rate of 20%-50%[1].Proteus mirabilis is intrinsically resistant to tetracycline,tigecycline,and colistin.The widespread and irregular use of antimicrobial agents,P.mirabilis antimicrobial resistance has mirabilis.They acquire antimicrobial resistance(AMR)by capturing plasmids,transposons,or other mobile elements harboring antimicrobial resistance genes.This mechanism allows the rapid selection and transmission of numerous AMR genes in clinical,veterinary,food production,transportation,and environmental settings.展开更多
This advanced paper presents a new approach to improving image steganography using the Ant Colony Optimization(ACO)algorithm.Image steganography,a technique of embedding hidden information in digital photographs,shoul...This advanced paper presents a new approach to improving image steganography using the Ant Colony Optimization(ACO)algorithm.Image steganography,a technique of embedding hidden information in digital photographs,should ideally achieve the dual purposes of maximum data hiding and maintenance of the integrity of the cover media so that it is least suspect.The contemporary methods of steganography are at best a compromise between these two.In this paper,we present our approach,entitled Ant Colony Optimization(ACO)-Least Significant Bit(LSB),which attempts to optimize the capacity in steganographic embedding.The approach makes use of a grayscale cover image to hide the confidential data with an additional bit pair per byte,both for integrity verification and the file checksumof the secret data.This approach encodes confidential information into four pairs of bits and embeds it within uncompressed grayscale images.The ACO algorithm uses adaptive exploration to select some pixels,maximizing the capacity of data embedding whileminimizing the degradation of visual quality.Pheromone evaporation is introduced through iterations to avoid stagnation in solution refinement.The levels of pheromone are modified to reinforce successful pixel choices.Experimental results obtained through the ACO-LSB method reveal that it clearly improves image steganography capabilities by providing an increase of up to 30%in the embedding capacity compared with traditional approaches;the average Peak Signal to Noise Ratio(PSNR)is 40.5 dB with a Structural Index Similarity(SSIM)of 0.98.The approach also demonstrates very high resistance to detection,cutting down the rate by 20%.Implemented in MATLAB R2023a,the model was tested against one thousand publicly available grayscale images,thus providing robust evidence of its effectiveness.展开更多
This study proposes a hybridization of two efficient algorithm’s Multi-objective Ant Lion Optimizer Algorithm(MOALO)which is a multi-objective enhanced version of the Ant Lion Optimizer Algorithm(ALO)and the Genetic ...This study proposes a hybridization of two efficient algorithm’s Multi-objective Ant Lion Optimizer Algorithm(MOALO)which is a multi-objective enhanced version of the Ant Lion Optimizer Algorithm(ALO)and the Genetic Algorithm(GA).MOALO version has been employed to address those problems containing many objectives and an archive has been employed for retaining the non-dominated solutions.The uniqueness of the hybrid is that the operators like mutation and crossover of GA are employed in the archive to update the solutions and later those solutions go through the process of MOALO.A first-time hybrid of these algorithms is employed to solve multi-objective problems.The hybrid algorithm overcomes the limitation of ALO of getting caught in the local optimum and the requirement of more computational effort to converge GA.To evaluate the hybridized algorithm’s performance,a set of constrained,unconstrained test problems and engineering design problems were employed and compared with five well-known computational algorithms-MOALO,Multi-objective Crystal Structure Algorithm(MOCryStAl),Multi-objective Particle Swarm Optimization(MOPSO),Multi-objective Multiverse Optimization Algorithm(MOMVO),Multi-objective Salp Swarm Algorithm(MSSA).The outcomes of five performance metrics are statistically analyzed and the most efficient Pareto fronts comparison has been obtained.The proposed hybrid surpasses MOALO based on the results of hypervolume(HV),Spread,and Spacing.So primary objective of developing this hybrid approach has been achieved successfully.The proposed approach demonstrates superior performance on the test functions,showcasing robust convergence and comprehensive coverage that surpasses other existing algorithms.展开更多
The biology of a koinobiont parasitoid of leaf-cutting ant larvae, <span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"><i></i></span><i><i>Szelenyiopria talitae<span ...The biology of a koinobiont parasitoid of leaf-cutting ant larvae, <span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"><i></i></span><i><i>Szelenyiopria talitae<span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"></span></i></i> (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae), was studied from naturally infested <span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"><i></i></span><i><i>Acromyrmex subterraneus<span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"></span></i></i> (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) nests. Nests were collected in the field from the Atlantic rainforest biome in the state of Rio de Janeiro. A total of fifty-three nests were collected from 2015 to 2018. Parasitized nests were only found during the months of September and October. Approximately 22% of the nests collected over a four-year period were found to have been parasitized by <span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"><i></i></span><i><i>S. talitae<span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"></span></i></i>. The mean within-nest parasitism rate was<span "=""> 66.3%. This diapriid displayed both solitary (14%) and gregarious parasitism (86%), with up to a maximum of 12 parasitoids developing within a single host. Gregarious parasitism with two (29%) or three (21%) <span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"><i></i></span><i><i>S. talitae<span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"></span></i></i></span><i></i> per host was most frequently observed. There was a positive correlation between the number of parasitoids per host and host size (dry weight), indicating that <span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"><i></i></span><i><i>S. talitae<span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"></span></i></i> females oviposited a higher number of eggs in larger hosts. There was also a negative correlation between <span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"><i></i></span><i><i>S.</i> <i>talitae<span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"></span></i></i> pharate adult size and the number of parasitoids per host, which could have been caused by sibling competition for limited host resources. The high levels of parasitism seen here had a debilitating effect on the colonies. <span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"><i></i></span><i><i>Acromyrmex subterraneus<span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"></span></i></i> is a serious pest in Brazil, and these studies lay the foundation for understanding the impact of <span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"><i></i></span><i><i>S. talitae<span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"></span></i></i> on ant populations.展开更多
基金supported by the Special Project for Sustainable Development Science and Technology of Shenzhen, China (2021N007)the Special Project for Red Imported Fire Ant Management, Shenzhen Agricultural Science and Technology Promotion Center, China (20220900044zbzjbc)。
文摘The red imported fire ant,Solenopsis invicta Buren,poses a significant threat to biodiversity,agriculture,and public health in its introduced ranges.While chemicals such as toxic baits and dust are the main methods for S.invicta control,toxic baits are slow,requiring approximately one or two weeks,but dust can eliminate the colony of fire ants rapidly in just three to five days.To explore more active ingredients for fire ant control using dusts,the toxicity of bifenthrin and dimefluthrin,the horizontal transfer of bifenthrin and dimefluthrin dust and their efficacy in the field were tested.The results showed that the LD50(lethal dose) values of bifenthrin and dimefluthrin were 3.40 and 1.57 ng/ant,respectively.The KT50(median knockdown time) and KT95(95%knockdown time) values of a 20μg mL^(–1)bifenthrin dose were 7.179and 16.611 min,respectively.The KT50and KT95of a 5μg mL^(–1)dimefluthrin dose were 1.538 and 2.825 min,respectively.The horizontal transfers of bifenthrin and dimefluthrin among workers were effective.The mortality of recipients (secondary mortality) and secondary recipients (tertiary mortality) were both over 80%at 48 h after 0.25,0.50 and 1.00%bifenthrin dust treatments.The secondary mortality of recipients was over 99%at 48 h after 0.25,0.50 and 1.00% dimefluthrin dust treatments,but the tertiary mortality was below 20%.The field trial results showed that both bifenthrin and dimefluthrin exhibited excellent fire ant control effects,and the comprehensive control effects of 1.00%bifenthrin and dimefluthrin dusts at 14 d post-treatment were 95.87 and 85.70%,respectively.
文摘The present research investigated a segment of the micro-arthropod populations residing within nests of Messor arenarius ants in the Negev Desert of Israel. The total frequencies of micro-arthropods in the chaff of those ants’ nests were found to be higher than in the surrounding soil of the same nests. Acari (mites) were observed to be more abundant during the spring season, whereas their presence decreased during the summer months. Springtails (Collembola) were found to follow the Acari pattern, commonly found within the nests of those ants during spring but were absent during summer. Psocoptera order inhabiting soil habitats were infrequently encountered during spring, but their prevalence increased significantly during summer, particularly within the chaff of the ants’ nests, suggesting that chaff is their primary food source in the Negev Desert. Our research suggests that shifts in seasonality have important consequences on the distribution of soil invertebrate communities with implications on nutrient cycling.
基金This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.of 31830084,31970440&32070466)also supported by“the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities”,Nankai University(No.96172158,96173250&91822294).
文摘Many extant species spin cocoons before their pupal stage,which can protect them from predators,pathogens,and fluctuant environmental factors in nests.However,owing to the scarcity of ant cocoon fossils,little is known about the origin and evolution of this behavior in Formicidae.Here,we describe two ant pupae specimens from Myanmar amber.The presence of cocoons in these Mesozoic fossils suggests the ancestral origin of spinning cocoon behavior;based on our phylogenetic analysis and ancestral state reconstruction,this behavior was secondarily lost at least six times in Formicidae,which could be ascribed to the transition of nesting and feeding habits,as well as the development of eusociality.Moreover,the first specimen preserved worker ants with empty cocoons simultaneously,indicating garbage removal or brood care behavior,which improves our understanding of their eusociality in the Cretaceous.
文摘The ants are one of the mega diverse insets found in all terrestrial environments, and occur in great diversity, richness and abundance, acting at all trophic levels. The present study was conducted to verify the knowledge of ant fauna at Caxiuanã National forest. All available ant literature and some collection in Caxiuanã were compiled and analyzed in EXCEL program. Caxiuanã is one Brazilian Amazonia forest that has good biological conservation. A total of 197 species belonging to 52 genera of the nine subfamilies are present in Caxiuanã. Many studies need to be done in this place to understand the ant community pattern to give base for other studies and proposal for use, management and conservation of this interesting Amazonia place.
文摘The ants are one of the mega diverse insets found in all terrestrial environments, and occur in great diversity, richness and abundance, acting at all trophic levels. The present study was conducted to verify the knowledge of ant fauna at Caxiuanã National forest. All available ant literature and some collection in Caxiuanã were compiled and analyzed in EXCEL program. Caxiuanã is one Brazilian Amazonia forest that has good biological conservation. A total of 197 species belonging to 52 genera of the nine subfamilies are present in Caxiuanã. Many studies need to be done in this place to understand the ant community pattern to give base for other studies and proposal for use, management and conservation of this interesting Amazonia place.
文摘A new ant species, Strongylognathus tylonum , sp. n. is described from Mt. Taibai in Shaanxi Province, China. Description is given for the worker caste. The species is morphologically close to S. karawajewi Pisarski. A key based on worker caste is preposed for the 3 species known in China. The type specimens of the new species is deposited in the Insect Collection, College of Forestry, Northwest Sci Tech University of Agriculture and Forestry.
基金This study is supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Yunnan Province (2001 C0042M) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30260016)
文摘The third species of the ant genus Perissomyrmex in the world, P. fissus sp. nov., is collected from Ailao Mountain Nature Reserve of Yunnan Province. Perissomyrmex is a new record genus in China. Taxonomic key based on worker caste is provided for the 3 species: P. snyderi Smith, P. monticola de Andrade, and P. fissus sp. nov.
基金the Applied and Basic Research Foundation of YunnanProvince(97C0 0 6G)
文摘Four new species of the ant genus Ponera Latreille are described from the Gaoligongshan Mountain Nature Reserve of Yunnan Province. Up to date, 12 species of the genus are recorded in China, i.e. P.sinensis Wheeler, P.alisana Terayama, P.chiponensis Terayama, Ponera pentodontos Xu, Ponera menglana Xu, Ponera nangongshana Xu, Ponera longlina Xu, Ponera baka Xu, Ponera xantha, sp. nov., Ponera pianmana, sp. nov., Ponera bawana, sp. nov., Ponera diodonta, sp. nov. A key to 12 species in China based on worker caste with figures is provided. All the type specimens are deposited in the Insect Collection, Southwest Forestry College.
文摘In this paper,2 new species of the ant genus Polyrhachis Smith found in Yunnan Province of China,P cyphonota sp n and P bakana sp n,were described P cyphonota sp n belongs to the subgenus Cyrtomyrma Forel P bakana sp n belongs to the subgenus Myrmhopla Forel P bakana sp n was found in the tropical rain forest of Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve
文摘A new species of the genus Recurvidris Bolton, Recurvidris glabriceps sp. nov. collected from south China is described. A key to Chinese known species of the genus based on worker caste is presented.
基金This study is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(3950 0 1 1 8) and the Applied and Basic Research F
文摘Eight species of the ant genus Ponera Latreille are recorded in China, among them 5 new species are discovered and described from Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve of Yunnan Province: P. sinensis Wheeler distributed in Hong Kong; P. alisana Terayama and P. chiponensis Terayama distributed in Taiwan Province; P. pentodontos , sp. nov., P. menglana , sp. nov., P. nangongshana , sp. nov., P. longlina , sp. nov., and P. baka , sp. nov. distributed in Yunnan Province. A key based on worker caste is provided for the 8 species. The type specimens are deposited in the Insect Collection, Southwest Forestry College, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
文摘A new species of the ant genus Epitritus Emery, E. dayui sp. nov., is collected in Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, China. Up to date, 4 species of the genus are known in China: E. hexamerus Brown, E. formosus Terayama, Lin et Wu, E. hirashimai Ogata, and E. dayui sp. nov. A key based on worker and female castes is proposed for the 4 known species of Epitritus of East Asia.
文摘Two new genera of the ant subfamilies Dorylinae and Ponerinae are collected and described from the tropical rain forest of Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve,Yunnan Province,China. Yunodorylus gen nov belongs to the subfamily Dorylinae,which is monotypic and terrestrial with 2 colonies of the species Y sexspinus sp nov. collected from the soil sample of seasonal rain forest and deciduous monsoon forest. Bannapone gen nov. belongs to the tribe Amblyoponini of Ponerinae,which is also monotypic and known only from a dealate female of the species B mulanae sp nov.collected from a soil sample in semi evergreen monsoon forest.
基金funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2021YFC2600404)
文摘In January 2022,we received ant specimens collected from three field colonies from Shantou City,Guangdong Province,China.They were identified as the little fire ant,Wasmannia auropunctata,through morphological and molecular analyses.Wasmannia auropunctata is listed as one of the 100 most dangerous invasive species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN)and has spread from its native range in South America to every continent except Antarctica.DNA analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I(COI)in nine specimens of W.auropunctata found that they had a close genetic relationship with specimens from Argentina.This study represents the first formal record of the establishment of W.auropunctata outdoor in Chinese mainland.However,the invasion stage and occurrence degree of W.auropunctata in China are not clear to date.The implementation of quarantine measures,investigation of the occurrence and distribution,and development of monitoring and control strategies are needed to actively respond to the threat posed by this highly invasive ant.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32270467,32020103006)National Research Foundation of Ukraine(2020/02/0369 to A.G.R.)CONCYTEC through the PROCIENCIA“Interinstitutional Alliances for Doctorate Programs”(PE501084299-2023-PROCIENCIA-BM to M.S.E.)。
文摘Most described Mesozoic ants belong to stem groups that existed only during the Cretaceous period.Previously,the earliest known crown ants were dated to the Turonian(Late Cretaceous,ca.94-90 million years ago(Ma))deposits found in the USA,Kazakhstan,and Botswana.However,the recent discovery of an alate male ant in Kachin amber from the earliest Cenomanian(ca.99 Ma),representing a new genus and species,Antiquiformica alata,revises the narrative on ant diversification.Antiquiformica can be distinctly differentiated from all known male stem ants by its geniculate antennae with elongated scape,extending far beyond the occipital margin of the head and half the length of the funiculus,as well as its partly reduced forewing venation.Furthermore,the combination of a one-segmented waist with a well-developed node,elongated scape extending beyond the occipital margin,and reduced forewing venation,particularly the completely reduced m-cu and rs-m crossveins and absence of rm and mcu closed cells,firmly places the fossil within the extant subfamily Formicinae.Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)confirmed that the amber containing Antiquiformica alata originated from the Kachin mines in Myanmar.This discovery significantly revises our understanding of the early evolution of Formicinae.The presence of Antiquiformica in Cenomanian amber indicates that the subfamily Formicinae emerged at least by the start of the Late Cretaceous,with crown ants likely originating earlier during the earliest Cretaceous or possibly the Late Jurassic,although paleontological evidence is lacking to support the latter hypothesis.
基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China[grant number 2021YFC2302002]for financial support.
文摘Proteus mirabilis is abundant in soil and water,and although it is part of the normal human intestinal flora(along with Klebsiella species and Escherichia coli),it is known to cause serious infections in humans,with a fatality rate of 20%-50%[1].Proteus mirabilis is intrinsically resistant to tetracycline,tigecycline,and colistin.The widespread and irregular use of antimicrobial agents,P.mirabilis antimicrobial resistance has mirabilis.They acquire antimicrobial resistance(AMR)by capturing plasmids,transposons,or other mobile elements harboring antimicrobial resistance genes.This mechanism allows the rapid selection and transmission of numerous AMR genes in clinical,veterinary,food production,transportation,and environmental settings.
文摘This advanced paper presents a new approach to improving image steganography using the Ant Colony Optimization(ACO)algorithm.Image steganography,a technique of embedding hidden information in digital photographs,should ideally achieve the dual purposes of maximum data hiding and maintenance of the integrity of the cover media so that it is least suspect.The contemporary methods of steganography are at best a compromise between these two.In this paper,we present our approach,entitled Ant Colony Optimization(ACO)-Least Significant Bit(LSB),which attempts to optimize the capacity in steganographic embedding.The approach makes use of a grayscale cover image to hide the confidential data with an additional bit pair per byte,both for integrity verification and the file checksumof the secret data.This approach encodes confidential information into four pairs of bits and embeds it within uncompressed grayscale images.The ACO algorithm uses adaptive exploration to select some pixels,maximizing the capacity of data embedding whileminimizing the degradation of visual quality.Pheromone evaporation is introduced through iterations to avoid stagnation in solution refinement.The levels of pheromone are modified to reinforce successful pixel choices.Experimental results obtained through the ACO-LSB method reveal that it clearly improves image steganography capabilities by providing an increase of up to 30%in the embedding capacity compared with traditional approaches;the average Peak Signal to Noise Ratio(PSNR)is 40.5 dB with a Structural Index Similarity(SSIM)of 0.98.The approach also demonstrates very high resistance to detection,cutting down the rate by 20%.Implemented in MATLAB R2023a,the model was tested against one thousand publicly available grayscale images,thus providing robust evidence of its effectiveness.
基金supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)Grant funded by the Korea government(MSIT)(No.RS-2023-00218176)the Soonchunhyang University Research Fund.
文摘This study proposes a hybridization of two efficient algorithm’s Multi-objective Ant Lion Optimizer Algorithm(MOALO)which is a multi-objective enhanced version of the Ant Lion Optimizer Algorithm(ALO)and the Genetic Algorithm(GA).MOALO version has been employed to address those problems containing many objectives and an archive has been employed for retaining the non-dominated solutions.The uniqueness of the hybrid is that the operators like mutation and crossover of GA are employed in the archive to update the solutions and later those solutions go through the process of MOALO.A first-time hybrid of these algorithms is employed to solve multi-objective problems.The hybrid algorithm overcomes the limitation of ALO of getting caught in the local optimum and the requirement of more computational effort to converge GA.To evaluate the hybridized algorithm’s performance,a set of constrained,unconstrained test problems and engineering design problems were employed and compared with five well-known computational algorithms-MOALO,Multi-objective Crystal Structure Algorithm(MOCryStAl),Multi-objective Particle Swarm Optimization(MOPSO),Multi-objective Multiverse Optimization Algorithm(MOMVO),Multi-objective Salp Swarm Algorithm(MSSA).The outcomes of five performance metrics are statistically analyzed and the most efficient Pareto fronts comparison has been obtained.The proposed hybrid surpasses MOALO based on the results of hypervolume(HV),Spread,and Spacing.So primary objective of developing this hybrid approach has been achieved successfully.The proposed approach demonstrates superior performance on the test functions,showcasing robust convergence and comprehensive coverage that surpasses other existing algorithms.
文摘The biology of a koinobiont parasitoid of leaf-cutting ant larvae, <span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"><i></i></span><i><i>Szelenyiopria talitae<span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"></span></i></i> (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae), was studied from naturally infested <span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"><i></i></span><i><i>Acromyrmex subterraneus<span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"></span></i></i> (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) nests. Nests were collected in the field from the Atlantic rainforest biome in the state of Rio de Janeiro. A total of fifty-three nests were collected from 2015 to 2018. Parasitized nests were only found during the months of September and October. Approximately 22% of the nests collected over a four-year period were found to have been parasitized by <span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"><i></i></span><i><i>S. talitae<span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"></span></i></i>. The mean within-nest parasitism rate was<span "=""> 66.3%. This diapriid displayed both solitary (14%) and gregarious parasitism (86%), with up to a maximum of 12 parasitoids developing within a single host. Gregarious parasitism with two (29%) or three (21%) <span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"><i></i></span><i><i>S. talitae<span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"></span></i></i></span><i></i> per host was most frequently observed. There was a positive correlation between the number of parasitoids per host and host size (dry weight), indicating that <span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"><i></i></span><i><i>S. talitae<span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"></span></i></i> females oviposited a higher number of eggs in larger hosts. There was also a negative correlation between <span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"><i></i></span><i><i>S.</i> <i>talitae<span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"></span></i></i> pharate adult size and the number of parasitoids per host, which could have been caused by sibling competition for limited host resources. The high levels of parasitism seen here had a debilitating effect on the colonies. <span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"><i></i></span><i><i>Acromyrmex subterraneus<span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"></span></i></i> is a serious pest in Brazil, and these studies lay the foundation for understanding the impact of <span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"><i></i></span><i><i>S. talitae<span style="color:#4D5156;background-color:#FFFFFF;"></span></i></i> on ant populations.
