Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and their aphid partners (Homoptera: Aphididae) in Mashhad region, Razavi Khorasan Province, with new records of aphids and ant species for Fauna of Iran

2015·4.9 MB·

by  Zohreh Sadat Mortazavi

ISSN0973-1555(Print)ISSN2348-7372(Online) HALTERES,Volume6,4-12,2015
© ZohrehSadatMortazavi,HusseinSadeghi,NihatAktac,LukaszDepaandLidaFekrat
Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and their aphid partners (Homoptera:
Aphididae) in Mashhad region, Razavi Khorasan Province, with new
records ofaphids and ant species for Fauna ofIran
Zohreh SadatMortazavi1 HusseinSadeghi1*,NihatAktac2 LukaszDepa3 LidaFekrat1
, , ,
1 DepartmentofPlantProtection, FerdowsiUniversityofMashhad, Iran
2DepartmentofZoology,FacultyofScience, Trakya University, Turkey
departmentofZoology, UniversityofSilesia, Bankowa 9, 40-007 Katowice,
Poland
(e-mail: *[email protected])
Abstract
A survey ofant-aphid associations was conducted by collecting and identifying samples ofants and aphids
found together on aphid host plants in Mashhad region, Razavi Khorasan province ofIran. As a result, a
totalof21 antspeciesrepresenting 13generaand3subfamiliesand26aphidspeciesbelongingto 13genera
from 37 host plant species were collected and identified. Among the recorded ant species, the genus
Crematogasterwith four species had the highest species richness. The three most frequent aphid attendant
antswereLepisiotanigra(DallaTorre,1893),Tapinomaerraticum(Latreille,1798)andCrematogasterinermis
Mayr, 1862 associatedwith 11, 10 and 9 aphidspecies, respectively. Elevenant species were recordedfrom
the colonies ofone aphid species. Among the recorded ants, the species Crematogastersordidula (Nylander,
1849) is newtoIranianantfauna. This recordincreasesthe recordedant-faunaofIrantoover 171 species.
Amongthe identifiedaphid species, Aphis craccivora Koch, 1856 hadthe highestantattraction. Also, Aphis
salicariae Koch, 1855; ChaitophorushillerislambersiPintera 1987; Chaitophorusisraeliticus Eastop andHille
RisLambers,1976; OnaramaghrebicaMimeur,1934andSchizaphisnigerrima(HilleRisLambers,1931)are
firstrecordsforaphidfaunaofIran.Theaphids,theirattendantants,andhostplantscollectedinthisstudy
aregiven. Findingsofthispreliminarystudyindicatedthatmuchmoredetailedstudyshouldbeconductedto
investigateaphid-antmutualisticassociationsinIran.
Keywords:Mutualisticinsects,Myrmecophilousaphids,newrecord,Iran.
Received:15February2015;Revised:4March2015;Online:4May2015;Published:5November2015.
Introduction
Family Formicidae with approximately wide (Remaudie're and Remaudie're, 1997)
15,000 species worldwide is considered one of havemanyspeciesthatarestronglyhost-specific
themost successfultaxaaftertheirarisinginthe (Dixon, 1987) andmanyaretendedbyants. The
Mid-Cretaceous about 120 million years ago relationshipbetweenaphidsandantsisgenerally
(Ward, 2007). They thrive in most ecosystems, thoughtto be mutualistic, as both partners seem
and may form 15-25% of the terrestrial animal to benefit from their association. By attending
biomass (Schultz, 2000). Their social aphid colonies, ants gain a rich source of
organization and behaviors, ability to change carbohydrates from honeydew which is thought
different habitats and exploit the useful to result in higher colony growth rates (e.g.
resources have made them successful and Cushman and Beattie, 1991). In turn, ants often
survive in diverse environments. Most species act as guards and decrease the impact of
are omnivorous and combine predation with predators and parasitoids on the fitness oftheir
feedingon sugaryfluids fromplants, aphids and hosts (El-Ziady and Kennedy, 1956). Also, ant-
other hemipterans. Among the phloem-sucking tended aphids live longer, mature earlier, have
insects, aphids with over 4,500 speciesworld- higher rate of reproduction in comparison with
4
AntsandtheiraphidpartnersinMashhadregion,withnewrecordsofantandaphids
those not tended by ants (Flatt and Weisser, Eastop (1994, 2006) and also keys by Heie
2000). However, interactions between ants and (1986) andNietoNafriaetal. (2002,2005).
aphids range from mutualistic to antagonistic Ants were identified by Nihat Aktac
(Stadler and Dixon, 2005, 2008; Billick et ah, using mainly Agosti and Collingwood (1987);
2007). Collingwood and Agosti (1996); Czechowski et
The mutualistic relationship between al. (2002); Dlussky (1967, 1969); Aktac and
ants and aphids has been the subject of many Radchenko (2002); Karaman and Aktac (2013);
studies on various aspects of this phenomenon. Seifert (1988, 1992) and materials compared
Unfortunately, this subject in Iran has been withN.A. Collection.
ignored so far, and more importantly, the fauna Aphid names were updated with
of Iran has not been adequately studied reference to Aphid Species File (Favret, 2009),
systematically. ant names were checked with Bolton’s
Paknia et al. (2008) reviewed the Catelogue (2015), andhostnames were checked
literature and provided the first checklist of withthe USDAPlants database (USDA, NRCS,
Iranian ant fauna. Since that, several faunistic 2009).
studies have been performed in some parts of Voucher specimens of ants and aphids
Iran (e.g. Mossadeghetal., 2008; Ghaharietal., were deposited in Insect and Mite Collection of
2009; Rafinejadetal., 2009; Pakniaetal., 2010; Plant Protection Department, Ferdowsi
Radchenko and Paknia, 2010; Firouzi et al., University of Mashhad, Iran. Also, some
2011; Mohammadi et al., 2012; Gholami et al., specimens ofants are held at the department of
2012; HosseinNezhadetal., 2012; Shiranetal., Zoology, Faculty ofScience, TrakyaUniversity,
2013). As a result, the number of ant species Edirne, Turkey and of aphid specimens are
reportedfromIranhasreachedover218 species. depositedinthecollectionoftheDepartamentof
As many parts of the country have not been Zoology, University of Silesia in Katowice,
explored, more new records is expected to be Poland.
discovered by further works. Except a recent
study by Shiran et al. (2013), there is no report ResultsandDiscussion
on aphids and their mutualistic ants in Iran. To 21 ant species were found to be
fulfill this gap and provide a base for further attending 26 aphid species on 37 host plants.
studies on interactions between aphids and ants, Among the determined ants and aphid species,
thepresentstudywasconductedinsomepartsof the ant species Crematogaster sordidula and
RazaviKhorasanprovince,NEIran. also, fiveaphidsnamely, Aphis salicariaeKoch,
1855; Chaitophorus hillerislambersi Pintera,
MaterialsandMethods 1987; Chaitophorus israeliticus Eastop and
During the growing season of the year Hille Ris Lambers, 1976; Cinara maghrebica
2013, a variety of cultivated and wild plants Mimeur, 1934 and Schizaphis nigerrima (Hille
inside and aroundthe agricultural ecosystems in Ris Lambers, 1931) are reported for the first
Mashhad region, Razavi Khorasan province of time from Iran. Below is the list of ants
Iran were visited and sampled for aphids and attending aphid colonies on their various host
their attendant ants. Because host identity is plantsfoundinthestudyarea.
important in identifying aphids, sampling was
mostly done by visual inspection ofplants, and I.SubfamilyDolichoderinae
theaphidsandtheirattendantantswereremoved
using soft brush and forceps. Geoposition Tapinomaerraticum(Latreille,1798)
coordinateswererecordedwithahand-heldGPS Material examined: Molkabad (36° 0'2.09"N,
unit. Collected materials were preserved in 59°35'35.59"E), 17^§ associated with Aphis
ethanol (75%) in small glass vials and pomi De Geer, 1773 on Malus sp. (Rosaceae),
transferred to the laboratory for processing and 15-4-2013; 699., 12-4-2013; 7$$ associated
identification. Aphids wereidentifiedby Lukasz with Aphis fabae Scopoli, 1763 on Elaeagnus
Depa. The resources applied for identification angustifolia L. (Elaeagnaceae), 12-4-2013;
were the host-based keys by Blackman and Mashhad-Toos (36°25'20.14"N, 59°28'57.74"E),
5
ZohrehSadatMortazavi,HusseinSadeghi,NihatAktac,LukaszDepaandLidaFekrat
5$? associatedwith Aphis fabae Scopoli, 1763 CamponotusturkestanicusEmery,1887
on Elaeagnus angustifolia L. (Elaeagnaceae), Material examined: Mashhad-Shahid Shaabani
25-4-2013; 1199 associated with Aphis Blv. (36°26'27.58"N, 59°30T3.29"E), 13?$
craccivora Koch, 1856 on Alhaji psoudo-alhaji, associated with Aphis sahcariae Koch, 1855 on
25-4-2013; 5$5 associated with Aphis Carduus pycnocephalus L. (Asteraceae), 25-5-
craccivora Koch, 1856 on Kochia sp. 2013. The range ofthis aphid species andits host
(Amaranthaceae), 25-4-2013; 7?$ associated plantsneedfurtherinvestigation.
with Aphis craccivora Koch, 1856 on Robinia
pseudoacacia L. (Fabaceae), 25-4-2013; DistributioninIran: NortheastofIran (Pakniaet
Mashhad-Toroq (36°13'6.29"N, 59°40'24.02"E), al.,2008).
5?? associated with Aphis craccivora Koch,
1856:,on Robinia pseudoacacia L. (Fabaceae), Cataglyphisaenescens(Nylander,1849)
16-5-2013; Molkabad (35°59'51.76"N, Material examined: Mashhad-Toos
59°35'23.06"E), 6°9 associated with (36°25'20.14"N, 59°28'57.74"E), 9$f associated
Brachycaudus amygdalinus Schout., 1905 on with Pterochloroides persicae Cholodkovsky,
Prunus persica (L.) Stokes (Rosaceae), 27-4- 1899 on Prunus persica (L.) Stokes (Rosaceae),
2013; Mashhad-Toos (36o25'20"N, 59°28'57"E), 23-6-2013; Mashhad-Toos, 4?$ associated with
9$$ associated with Pterochloroides persicae Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thomas, 1878 on
Cholodkovsky, 1899 on Prunus persica (L.) SonchusarvensisL. (Asteraceae),23-6-2013.
Stokes (Rosaceae), 23-6-2013; Aman abad
(35°59'51.76"N, 59°35'23.06”E), 3?$ Distribution in Iran: Northern and northeast of
associated with Aphis sp. on Lepidiumdraba L. Iran(Pakniaetal.,2008).
(=Cardaria draba) (Brassicaceae), 16-4-2013;
Aman abad, 4$5 associated with Aphis sp. on Cataglyphisnodus(Brulle,1833)
Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb (=Prunus Material examined: Bozveshk (36° 4'23.37"N,
amygdalus Batsch) (Rosaceae), 16-4-2013; 59°28'32.27"E), 3?? associated with Aphis
Mashhad-Grab (36°23'56.16"N, 59°39'11.31"E), gossypii Glover, 1877 on Prunus dulcis (Mill.)
D.A.Webb (=Prunus amygdalus Batsch)
6$? associated with Aphis sp. on Carthamus
lanatus L. (Asteraceae), 23-5-2013; Molkabad (Rosaceae), 16-5-2013; same locality, 3??
(35°59'51.76"N, 59°35'23.06"E), 7$? associated with Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877 on
associatedwithAphis craccivora Koch, 1856 on PrunuscerasusL. (Rosaceae), 16-5-2013.
RobiniapseudoacaciaL. (Fabaceae), 10-5-2013;
Toroq (36°13'6.29"N, 59°40'24.02"E), 6?? DistributioninIran: Northernandsouthernparts
associated with Eulachnus tuberculostemmatus ofIran(Pakniaetal.,2008; Shiranetal.,2013).
Theobald, 1915 andCinaramaghrebica Mimeur
1934 onPinus eldarica Medw (Pinaceae), 16-5- FormicacuniculariaLatreille,1798
2013; Mashhad-Ferdowsi University UMnaitveerrisailty examcianmepdu:s Mas(h3h6a°d18-'F2e6r.d7o3w"sNi,
(36°18T9.03"N, 59°3r44.71"E), 12$$
59°31'38.65"E), 5?? associated with Aphis
associated with Brachycaudus tragopogonis
Kaltenbach, 1843 on Tragopogon sp. acetosae L., 1761 on Rumex sp., 6-4-2013; same
locality, 5 associatedwith Acyrthosiphon rubi
(Asteraceae), 28-5-2013; Mashhad-Toos
(36°25'20"N, 59°28'57"E), 7?$ associatedwith Narzikulov, 1957 on Sonchus sp. (Asteraceae), 6-
4-2013; Mashhad-kohsangi (36°16'57.35"N,
Chaitophorus israeliticus Hille Ris Lambers,
59°33'46.54"E), 6$? associated with
1960 on Salixbabylonica L. (Salicaceae), 23-6-
AcyrthosiphonpisumHarris, 1776, Brachycaudus
2013.
tragopogonis Kaltenbach, 1843 and Cinara sp.
Curtis, 1835 on Calendula officinalis L.
Distribution in Iran: Northern and southern
(Asteraceae), 19-5-2013; same locality, 9?$
partsofIran(Pakniaetal.,2008).
associated with Aphis craccivora Koch, 1856 on
LigustrumvulgareL. (Oleaceae), 19-5-2013.
II.SubfamilyFormicinae
6
AntsandtheiraphidpartnersinMashhadregion,withnewrecordsofantandaphids
Distribution in Iran: Northern parts of Iran Pterochloroides persicae Cholodkovsky, 1899 on
(Pakniaetal.,2008). Ulmus sp.L. (Ulmaceae), 1-5-2013.
Lasiusalienus(Foerster,1850) Distribution in Iran: Zanjan
Material examined: Mashhad-kohsangi (http://www.antweb.org/iran.jsp).
(36°16'57.70"N, 59°33'49.79"E), 3?$ associated
withPeriphyllusbulgaricusTashev, 1964onAcer Lepisiotanigra(DallaTorre,1893)
sp. (Aceraceae), 19-5-2013. Material examined: Molk abad (36° 0'2.09"N,
59°35'35.59"E), 7$$ associatedwithAphis fabae
Distribution in Iran: North-west ofIran (Paknia Scopoli, 1763 on Elaeagnus angustif L.
etal.,2008). (Elaeagnaceae), 15-4-2013; Arefi (36° 7'22.20"N,
59°31'1.12"E), 7?9 associated with
LasiusturcicusSantschi,1921 Brachycaudus helichrysi Kalt., 1843 and
Material examined: Mashhad-Ferdowsi Hyalopterus amygdaliBlanchard, 1840onPrunus
University campus (36°18'19.03"N, dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb (=Prunus amygdalus
59°31'44.71"E), 6$$ associated with Batsch) (Rosaceae), 15-4-2013; Bozveshk (36°
Acyrthosiphon gossypii Mordvilko,1914 on 4'43.81"N, 59°25'50.65"E), 5$$ associated with
Lepidium draba L. (=Cardaria draba) Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877 on Prunus dulcis
(Brassicaceae), 6-4-2013; same locality, 89.9. (Mill.) D.A.Webb (=Prunus amygdalus Batsch)
associated with Chaitophorus hillerislambersi (Rosaceae), 16-5-2013; Beheshte-reza (36°
Pintera, 1987 on Populus alba L. (Salicaceae), 7- 9'58.60"N, 59°42'11.21"E), 6$$ associated with
5-2013;Bozveshk(36°4'20.89"N,59°26'35.38"E), Brachycaudus tragopogonis Kaltenbach, 1843 on
899 associated with Brachycaudus amygdalinus Tragopogon sp. (Asteraceae), 17-4-2013;
Schout.,1905 onPrunusarmeniacaL. (Rosaceae), Mashhad-kohsangi (36°16'59.11"N,
16-5-2013; Mashhad-kohsangi (36°17'0.34"N, 59°33'48.46"E), 89$ associated with
59°33'43.85"E), 10$$ associated with Aphis ChaitophorusisraeliticusHilleRisLambers, 1960
craccivora Koch, 1856 on Kochia sp. L. on Salix babylonica L. (Salicaceae), 19-5-2013;
(Amaranthaceae), 19-5-2013; Mashhad-Ferdowsi Beheshte-reza (36°9'58.60"N, 59°42'11.2r’E),
University campus (36°18'19.03"N, 4$$ associated with Pterochloroides persicae
59°31'44.71"E), 99$ associated with Aphis Cholodkovsky, 1899 onUlmus sp. (Ulmaceae), 1-
craccivora Koch, 1856 on Hibiscus syriacus L. 5-2013; Mashhad-Ferdowsi University campus
(Malvaceae),2-7-2013. (36°18'19.03"N, 59°3r44.71"E), 11$9
associated with Aphis sp. on Tamarix sp.
Distribution in Iran: Northern parts of Iran (Tamaricaceae), 27-5-2013; same locality, 399
(Pakniaetal.,2008). associated with Macrosiphon rosae L., 1758 on
Rosa sp. (Rosaceae), 27-5-2013; Mashhad-Tollab
Lepisiotadolabellae(Forel, 1911) (36°18'9.63"N, 59°39'24.59"E), 109$ associated
Material examined: Mashhad-kohsangi withPeriphyllusbulgaricusTashev, 1964onAcer
(36°16'57.35"N, 59°33'46.54"E), 6?? sp. (Aceraceae), 28-5-2013; Mashhad-Shahid
associated with Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris, Shafei (36°22'9.78"N, 59°33T2.43"E), 14$$
1776, Brachycaudus tragopogonis Kaltenbach, associated with Schizaphis nigerrima Hille Ris
1843 and Cinara sp. on Calendula officinalis L. Lambers, 1931 on Sorghum vulgare Pers.
(Asteraceae), 19-5-2013. (Poaceae),23-6-2013.
Distribution in Iran: Northern parts of Iran Distribution in Iran: Fars province
(Paknia et al., 2008); Brazjan in South of Ran (Mohammadietal.,2012).
(Ghaharietal.,2011).
PlagiolepispallescensForel, 1889
Lepisiotafrauenfeldi(Mayr, 1855) Material examined: Mashhad-Kohsangi
Material examined: Beheshte-reza (36° (36°16'57.35"N, 59°33'46.54"E), 39$ associated
9'58.60"N, 59°42'11.21"E), 5$$ associated with with Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris, 1776,
7
ZohrehSadatMortazavi,HusseinSadeghi,NihatAktac,LukaszDepaandLidaFekrat
Brachycaudus tragopogonis Kaltenbach, 1843 pseudoacacia L. (Fabaceae), 1-5-2013;
and Cinara sp. on Calendula officinalis L. Mashhad-Tollab, 6°.9 associated with Aphis
(Asteraceae), 19-5-2013; Mashhad-Toos (36° craccivora Koch, 1856 on Cydonia oblonga
4'20.89"N, 59°26'35.38"E), 3?$ associated with Mill. (Rosaceae),28-5-2013;Mashhad-Ferdowsi
Callaphis juglandis Goeze, 1778 on Juglans sp. University campus (36o18'19.03"N,
(Juglandaceae),23-6-2013. 59°31'44.71"E), 399 associated with Aphis
craccivora Koch, 1856 on Hibiscus syriacus L.
Distribution in Iran: Northern parts of Iran (Malvaceae), 2-7-2013; Bozveshk (36°
(Pakniaetal.,2008);Dezful(Shiranetal.,2013). 4'23.37"N, 59°28'32.27"E), 6?? associatedwith
Callaphisjuglandis Goeze, 1778 on Juglans sp.
Plagiolepispygmaea(Latreille, 1798) L. (Juglandaceae), 16-5-2013; Bozveshk, 699
Material examined: Mashhad-Tollab associated with Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877 on,
(36°18T0.13"N, 59°39'15.53"E), 5?? associated Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. (Rosaceae),16-5-2013;
with Aphis craccivora Koch, 1856 on Fraxinus Mashhad-kohsangi (36°16'59.11"N,
sp. (Oleaceae), 1-5-2013; Bozveshk (36° 59°33'48.46"E), 3?$, associated with
4'16.47"N, 59°27'13.21"E), 15?$ associatedwith Chaitophorus israeliticus Hille Ris Lambers,
Aphiscraccivora Koch, 1856onGlycirizia glabra 1960 on Salixbabylonica L. (Salicaceae), 19-5-
L. (Fabaceae), 16-5-2013. 2013; Mashhad-kohsangi, 699 associated with
,
Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris, 1776,
Distribution in Iran: Ahvaz (Ghahari et al., Brachycaudus tragopogonis Kaltenbach, 1843
2009). and Cinara sp. on Calendula officinalis L.
(Asteraceae),19-5-2013; Mashhad-Kalat road
ProformicapilosiscapaDlussky,1969 (36°34'31.22"N, 59°48T6.03"E), 2??,
Material examined: Bozveshk (36° 4'22.70"N,
associated with Aphis pseudocardui Theobald,
59°28'24.67"E) (10?$), associated with 1915, on Carthamus oxycantha M. Bieb.
Brachycaudus amygdalinus Schout., 1905 on
(Asteraceae),4-7-2013.
Pistacia terebinthus L. (Anacardiaceae), 16-5-
2013.
Distribution in Iran: Northern parts of Iran
(Pakniaetal.,2008).
Distribution in Iran: Kaleibar (East Azarbaijan
Province) (Ghaharietal.,2011). Crematogasterschmidti(Mayr,1853)
Material examined: Mashhad-kohsangi
III.SubfamilyMyrmicinae (36°16'59.H"N, 59°33'48.46"E), 3??
associated with Chaitophorus israeliticus Hille
AphaenogasterkurdicaRuzsky,1905
Ris Lambers, 1960 on Salix babylonica L.
Material examined: Beheshte-reza
(Salicaceae), 19-5-2013; Mashhad-Ferdowsi
(36°10T.24"N, 59°42'12.07"E), 8$?,associated
University campus (36o18'19.03"N,
with Brachycaudus helichrysi Kalt., 1843 on
Malcolmia africana (L.) R. Br. (Brassicaceae), 59°31'44.71"E), 3??., associated with Aphis
craccivora Koch, 1856 on Hibiscus syriacus L.
24-4-2013.
(Malvaceae), 2-7-2013; Mashhad-Kalat road
(36°34'31.22"N, 59°48T6.03"E), 2??
Distribution in Iran: Northern part of Iran,
associated with Aphis pseudocardui Theobald,
Golestanprovince(Pakniaetal.,2008)
1915 on Carthamus oxycantha M. Bieb.
CrematogasterinermisMayr, 1862 (Asteraceae),4-7-2013.
Material examined: Mashhad-Tollab
(36°18'24.35"N, 59°39T.79"E), 6?$ associated Distribution in Iran: Northern parts of Iran
with Acyrthosiphon gossypii Mordvilko, 1914 (Pakniaetal.,2008).
on Hibiscus syriacus L. (Malvaceae), 1-5-2013;
Crematogastersordidula(Nylander,1849)
Mashhad-Tollab, 69? associated with Aphis
Diagnostic characters: Head smooth and shiny
craccivora Koch, 1856 on Robinia
with long setae, distance between the setae less
8
AntsandtheiraphidpartnersinMashhadregion,withnewrecordsofantandaphids
than their length; Cl < 95; clypeus shiny, Material examined: Mashhad-kohsangi
medially smooth; mandibles smooth and shiny (36°16'59.11"N, 59°33'48.46"E), 3??
with appressed pubescence, masticatory border associated with Chaitophorus israeliticus Hille
with five teeth, first tooth biggest and sharply Ris Lambers, 1960 on Salix babylonica
pointed than the rests; antennae with abundant, L.(Salicaceae), 19-5-2013.
long sub erected setae; alitrunk shiny dorsally,
sides irregular sculpturedwith morethan 6 long Distribution in Iran: Zanjan (Hossein-Nezhad
setae; propodeal spines long, about two times etal.,2012).
longer than their width at the base, divergent in
dorsal view; petiole with 4, postpetiole with MonomoriumnitidiventreEmery,1893
more than 6 sub erect long setae; legs with Material examined: Beheshte-reza
scattered suberectsetae; dorsal surfaceofgaster (36°10'0.89"N, 59°42T2.82"E), 3?? associated
with densely long setae, distance between their with Aphis craccivora Koch, 1856 on
basesequaltotheirlength. Chenopodium album L. (Chenopodiaceae), 24-
4-2013.
Material examined: Mashhad-Mahammadabad
(36°29T7.04"N, 59°27'40.50"E), 18?§ Distribution in Iran: Southern parts of Iran
associated with Brachycaudus cardui Linnaeus, (Pakniaetal.,2008).
1758 on Cirsum arvense (L.) Scopoli
TetramoriumcheftekiForel, 1911
(Asteraceae),27-5-2013.
Material examined: Mashhad-Tollab
(36°18T0.13"N, 59°39'15.53"E), 3??
DistributioninIran:ThefirstrecordfromIran.
associatedwithAphis craccivora Koch, 1856 on
CrematogastersubdentataMayr,1877 Fraxinus sp. (Oleaceae), 1-5-2013.
Materialexamined: Mashhad-ShahidAbaspour
Distribution in Iran: Northern parts of Iran
(36°16T5.38"N, 59°39’28.49"E), 16??
associatedwithAphis craccivora Koch, 1856 on (Pakniaetal.,2008).
VGirtaisb sp(.36L°.23'(5V6it.a1c6e"aNe,), 5199°-349-2'01113.;31M"aEs)h,h1a4d$-4 Fromabiogeographicalpointofview, it
associatedwithAphis craccivora Koch, 1856 on is expected that the Iranian fauna would be
Carduus pycnocephalus L. (Asteraceae), 23-5- much more diverse than those of its neighbors
2013; Mashhad-Tollab (36°18T1.83"N, largely due to its geographic positioning
betweenthree distinctbiogeographic realms, the
59°39T6.88"E), 12?? associated with Aphis
Palaearctic, Afrotropical and the Oriental.
craccivora Koch, 1856, Morus alba L.
(Moraceae), 1-5-2013; Bozveshk(36°4T6.47"N, However, still the number of insects especially
59°27T3.21"E), 5?? associated with Aphis ants recorded from Iran is much less than those
craccivora Koch, 1856 on Glycirizia glabra L. of its neighbors (Shiran et al., 2013). Most
probably due to the fact that the Iranian fauna
(Fabaceae), 16-5-2013; Mashhad-Kohsangi
has been poorly investigated and many areas
(36°16'57.70"N, 59°33'49.79"E), 7??
have been sampled only sporadically. This
associated with Periphyllus bulgaricus Tashev,
preliminary research on aphid-ant association
1964 on Acer sp. L. (Aceraceae), 19-5-2013; andtheirhostplants inNEIran have addedfive
Mashhad-Tollab (36°18T1.83"N,
new records of aphid species and one new
59°39T6.88"E), 9?? associated with
recordofantspeciestoIranianfauna. Previously
Tuberculatus maximus HilleRis Lambers, 1974,
about 480 aphid species were known from Iran
Ulmus sp.L. (Ulmaceae),2-6-2013. (Alikhanietal., 2010). Bythepresent study, the
Distribution in Iran: Northern parts of Iran Iranianaphidfaunahas atleast485 species. The
occurrenceofthenewrecords ofsome aphidsin
(Pakniaetal.,2008).
Iran show a range extension and provides an
Messororientalis(Emery,1898) important baseline for studying changes in the
distribution of these important species which
mightbearesultofclimaticchange.
9
ZohrehSadatMortazavi,HusseinSadeghi,NihatAktac,LukaszDepaandLidaFekrat
Aphid species reported here exhibited a ant interaction and discussed morphological,
range of ant tending. Three species of ants, behavioral and ecological interactions. This
namely Lepisiota nigra, Tapinoma erraticum interesting subject needs further studies and
and Crematogaster inermis were found tending discussion in the frame ofmutualistic relations.
more than 9 species of aphids. It seems that It is expected that these preliminary results
these three ant species most possibly have an stimulate further studies in this context and
important role in dispersion ofaphids from one provide a base for further studies on different
plant to other ones in the region. Among the interactions between aphids and their attendant
determined ant-aphid associations, Aphis antswhichhasbeenignoredsofarinIran.
craccivora had the greatest variety of ant
tending it. We have no a clear answer to give Acknowledgments
why A craccivora has thehighest ant attraction Authors thankDr. OmidPakaniaandan
as the studies of the various researchers anonymous reviewer for reviewing the
indicated how highly dynamic the mutualistic manuscript. This research was supported in part
relations between aphid and ant species. Several byFerdowsiUniversityofMashhad,Iran.
different factors might influence this relation
such as density of ants as well as aphids, host References
plants species and its features, climatic Agosti, D. and Collingwood, C.A. 1987. A
conditions and seasonal differences (Depa and provisional list of the Balkan ants (Hym.
Wojciechowski, 2009). Of the four ant species Formicidae) withakeytotheworkercaste.
found at colonies of Chaitophorous israeliticus I, II. Keyto theworkercaste, includingthe
two of them, Messor orientalis and European Species without the Iberian.
Crematogaster schmidti, were exclusive to it, Mitteilungen der Schweizerischen
notfoundtendinganyotheraphids. Entomologischen60: 51-62,261-293.
The interaction between ants and Akta?, N. and Radchenko, O.G. 2002. Turkiye
hemipterans has been the subject of many karmcalarimn (Hymenoptera; Formicidae)
studies on various aspects of this phenomenon altfamilya ve cins tarn anahtarlari.
(Stadler and Dixon 2005, 2008). Unfortunately, (Identification key to the subfamilies and
this topic in Iran has been limited to a few genera (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of
studies. In the only study of the mutualistic Turkish ants. Turkiye Entomoloji Dergisi
associationbetweenants and aphids on different 26(1): 51-61.
hostplants in Iran, Shiran et al. (2013) reported Alikhani, A., Rezwani, A.E., Rakhshani, E. and
20 different species of ants associated with 33 Madani, S.M.J. 2010. Survey of aphids
aphid species. Dezhakam and Soleyman- (Hemiptera, Aphidoidea) and their host
Nejadian (2002) stated that the symbiotic ant plants in central parts of Iran. Journal of
Crematogaster antaris Ford, interfere with the EntomologicalResearch2(2): 7-16.
performance of two encyrtid parasitoids Billick, I., Hammer, S., Reithel, J.S. and Abbot,
Anagyrus agraensis (Saraswat) and Adactylopii P. 2007. Ant-aphid interactions: are ants
(Howard) on N. viridis. Also, Mossadegh et al. friends, enemies, or both?. Annals of the
(2008) reported that the ants in the colony of Entomological Society ofAmerica 100(6):
Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) inDezfulcitrus 887-892.
orchardshave anegativeinfluence onbiological Blackman, R.L. and Eastop, V.F. 1994. Aphids
control of this pest, by preventing feeding and on the World’s Trees. England,
subsequently reproduction ofthe released Crypt Wallingford: CABInternational. 986pp.
beetles,CryptolaemousmontrouzieriMulsant. Blackman, R.L. and Eastop, V.F. 2006. Aphids
The present study surveyed the ant- on the World’s Herbaceous Plants and
aphid association on aerial parts of the host Shrubs. Volume 1, Hosts Lists and Keys.
plants. So, the underground living aphid-ant England, West Sussex: John Wiley and
interactions remain unexplored. Depa and Sons.1,024pp.
Wojciechowski (2009) investigated root aphid-
10
AntsandtheiraphidpartnersinMashhadregion,withnewrecordsofantandaphids
Bolton,B. 2015.AnonlinecatalogueoftheAnts Flatt,T. andWeisser,W.W. 2000.Theeffects of
of the World. Antcat. Accessed online at mutualistic ants on aphidlife history traits.
http://www.antcat.org/ Ecology81(12): 3522-3529.
Collingwood, C.A. and Agosti, D. 1996. Firouzi, F., Pashaei-Rad, S., Hossein-Nezhad, S.
Formicidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) of and Agosti, D. 2011. Four new records of
Saudi Arabia (part 2). Fauna of Saudi ants fromIran (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
Arabia 15: 300-385. ZoologyintheMiddleEast52: 71-78.
Cushman, J.H. and Beattie, AJ. 1991. Ghahari, H., Collingwood, C.A., Tabari, M. and
Mutualisms: assessing thebenefits to hosts Ostovan, H. 2009. Faunistic notes on
and visitors. Trends in Ecology and Formicidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) ofrice
Evolution6: 193-195. fields and surrounding grasslands in
Czechowski, W., Radchenko, A. and Northern Iran. Munis Entomology and
Czechowska, W. 2002. The ants Zoology4(1): 184-189.
(Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Poland. Ghahari, H., Collingwood, C.A., Havaskary, M.,
Warsaw: MuseumandInstituteofZoology, Ostovan, H. and Samin, N. 2011. A
PolishAcademyofSciences. 200pp. Contribution to the Knowledge of Ants
Depa, L. andWojciechowski, W. 2009. Aphids (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the
(Hemiptera: Aphidinea) of Garb ArasbaranBiosphere Reserve andVicinity,
Tarnogorskiandtheirtrophobioticrelations Northwestern Iran. Jordan Journal of
with ants. Annals of the Upper Silesian AgriculturalSciences7(3): 558-563.
Museum (Entomology) 18: 5-106. Gholami, M., Afshar, A. andMafi Pashakolaei,
Dixon, A.F.G. 1987. The way oflife ofaphids: S.A. 2012. The fauna and frequency of
host specificity, speciationanddistribution, cottony cushion scale (Icerya purchasi
pp. 197-207. In: A.K. Minks and P. Maskell) related ants (Hymenoptera:
Harrewijn, eds. Aphids, Their Biology, Formicidae) community in citrus orchards
Natural Enemies and Control, Vol. 2A. ofSariregion, northernIran. Proceedingof
Amsterdam: Elsevier. 364pp. the 20th Iranian Plant Protection Congress,
Dlussky, G.M. 1967. Ants ofthe genus Formica 26-29Aug., Shiraz,Iran,p.175.
(Hymenoptera, Formicidae, g. Formica). Heie, O.E. 1986. The Aphidoidea (Hemiptera)
Moskva: NaukaPublishingHouse, 236pp. of Fennoscandia and Denmark. III. Fauna
Dlussky, G.M. 1969. Ants of the genus EntomologicaScandinavica 17: 1-314.
Proformica Ruzs. of the USSR and Hossein-Nezhad, S., Pashaei Rad, S., Firouzi,F.,
contiguous countries (Hymenoptera, and Agosti, D. 2012. New and additional
Formicidae). Zoologicheskii Zhurnal 48: records for the ant fauna from Iran.
218-232. ZoologyintheMiddleEast55: 65-74.
Dezhakam, M. and Soleyman-Nejadian, E. Karaman, C. andAktac, N. 2013. Descriptionof
2002. Fauna of symbiotic ants with the Four New Species of Camponotus Mayr
southern mealybug Nipaecoccus viridis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with aKey for
New. (Horn: Pseudococcidae), on citrus in the Worker caste of the Camponotus of
Khuzestan. Scientific Journal of Turkey. Journal of the Kansas
Agriculture24(2): 75-100. EntomologicalSociety86(1): 36-56.
El-Ziady, S. and Kennedy, J.S. 1956. Beneficial Mohammadi, S., Mossadegh, M.S. and
effects of the common garden ant, Lasius Esfandiari, M. 2012. Eight ant species
niger L. on the black bean aphid, Aphis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) new for the
fabae Scopoli. Proceedings of the Royal fauna of Iran. Munis Entomology and
Entomological Society of London (A) 31: Zoology7(2): 847-851.
61-65. Mossadegh, M.S., Esfandiari, M. and
Favret, C. 2009. Aphid Species File. Version Heidarynia, Z. 2008. The effects of
1.0/3.5. Accessed online at symbiotic ants on biological control of
http://Aphid.SpeciesFile.org/ Nipaecoccus viridis (New.) by
Cryptolaemous montrouzieri Mul. in citrus
11
ZohrehSadatMortazavi,HusseinSadeghi,NihatAktac,LukaszDepaandLidaFekrat
orchards of north Khuzestan. Proceedings Shiran, E., Mossadegh, M.S. and Esfandiari, M.
of the 18th Iranian Plant Protection 2013. Mutualistic ants (Hymenoptera:
Congress, 24-27 Aug., Hamedan, Iran. Formicidae) associated with aphids in
p.36. central and southwestern parts of Iran.
NietoNafrfa,J.M.,Mier-Durante,M.P.,Binazzi, JournalofCropProtection2(1): 1-12.
A. and Perez-Hidalgo, N. 2002. Soleyman-Nejadian, E. and Dezhakam, M.
HemipteraAphididaeII. FaunaIberica 19. 2001. Investigation on the protection of
Madrid: Museo Nacional de Ciencias Nipacoccus viridis (NEW) by
Naturales, CSIC.350pp. Crematogaster antaris Forel (Hym.:
NietoNafrfa,J.M.,Mier-Durante,M.P.,Binazzi, Formicidae) against two wasp parasitoids
A. and Perez-Hidalgo, N. 2005. on citrus in Dezful. Scientific Journal of
Hemiptera Aphididae III. Fauna Iberica Agriculture23(2): 53-69.
28. Madrid: Museo Nacional de Ciencias Stadler, B. and Dixon, F.G. 2005. Ecology and
Naturales,CSIC. 362pp. evolution of aphid-ant interactions. The
Paknia, O., Radchenko, A.G., Alipanah, H. and Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution,
Pfeiffer,M. 2008.Apreliminarychecklist andSystematics 36: 345-372.
ofthe ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Stadler, B. and Dixon, A.F. 2008. Mutualism:
Iran.MyrmecologicalNews 11: 151-159. ants and their insect partners. Cambridge,
Paknia, O., Radchenko, A.G. and Pfeiffer, M. UK: CambridgeUniversityPress. 219pp.
2010.Newrecordsofants(Hymenoptera: USDA, NRCS, 2009. The PLANTS Database.
Formicidae) from Iran. Asian NationalPlantDataCenter,Baton Rouge,
Myrmecology3: 29-38. Louisiana 70874-4490 USA. Accessed
Radchenko, A. and Paknia, O. 2010. Two new onlineathttp://plants.usda.gov/
species ofthe genus Cataglyphis Foerster, Ward, P.S. 2007. Phylogeny, classification
1850 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from and species-level taxonomy of ants
Iran.AnnalesZoologici60: 69-76. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa
Rafinejad, J., Zareii, A., Akbarzadeh, K., Azad, 1668: 549-563.
M., Biglaryan, F., Doosti, S. and
Sedaghat, M.M. 2009. Faunistic
study ofants with emphasis on the health
riskofstingingantsinQeshmIsland,Iran.
I. Iranian Journal of Arthropod-Borne
Diseases 3 (1): 53-59.
Remaudievre, G. and Remaudie're, M. 1997.
Catalogue of the World’s Aphididae.
Paris: INRAeditions.473pp.
Seifert, B. 1988. A revision of the European
species ofthe ant subgenus Chthonolasius
(Insecta, Hymenoptera, Formicidae).
Entomologische Abhandlungen.
Staatliches Museum fur Dresden 51: 143-
180.
Seifert, B. 1992. A taxonomic revision of the
Palaearctic members of the ant subgenus
Lasius s.str. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
Abhandlungen und Berichte des
aturkundemuseumsGorlitz66(5): 1-67.
Schultz, T.R. 2000. In search of ant ancestors.
Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences97(26): 14028-14029.
12