Éditeur(s) : Pêche thonière et dispositifs de concentration de poissons, Caribbean-Martinique, 15-19 Oct 1999
Résumé : This paper discusses the hypothesis that small tunas and the various species found in association with drifting fads (such as "mahi-mahi", rainbow runner, wahoo, etc.) may be biologically trapped by such a strong association. Massive seeding of drifting artificial fads was observed worldwide during recent years. In this hypothesis, we suggest that fads may alter some biological characteristics of epipelagic populations associated with them: migration, growth, condition factors, predation and natural mortality. As fads are most often used in the equatorial currents, they tend to exhibit zonal drift. Therefore, the associated populations would be artificially transferred from one part of the ocean to another, when they would show different movement patterns in the absence of fads. Natural logs were probably beneficial in terms of ecology and evolution, because they tend to accumulate in convergence areas, most often considered as rich forage areas. Now, fads are seeded in offshore areas, which are not necessarily favourable for tuna feeding. This apparently strong association between fishes and drifting fads may then produce an unexpected biological impact on tuna populations and their associated fauna. The plan is to test this hypothesis in the Atlantic, developing an ad hoc research programme based on tagging, biological and physiological studies, in association to an analysis of high resolution fishery data before and after the development of the fad fishery.Original Abstract: Cet article discute l'hypothese selon laquelle les petits thons et les differentes especes associees a des DCP derivants (comme les coryphenes, elagatis, thazards, etc.) pourraient etre pris dans un piege biologique resultant de cette forte association. Le deploiement massif de DCP artificiels derivants a ete constate a l'echelle mondiale au cours des dernieres annees. Dans cette hypothese, ces DCP, colonises en permanence par de grandes fractions de populations epipelagiques, pourraient modifier les caracteristiques biologiques des especes concernees: leur migration, leur croissance, leurs facteurs de condition, la predation et la mortalite naturelle. Les DCP etant plus frequemment utilises dans les courants equatoriaux, ils tendent a deriver zonalement. Ainsi, les populations associees seraient artificiellement transferees d'un bord a l'autre de l'ocean, alors qu'elles manifesteraient d'autres types de deplacements en l'absence de DCP. Les debris naturels etaient probablement benefiques sur le plan de l'ecologie et de l'evolution car ils s'accumulent dans des zones de convergence le plus souvent considerees comme des zones riches en nourriture. Maintenant, les DCP sont mouilles au large, dans des zones qui peuvent ou non etre favorables a l'alimentation des thons. Cette association apparemment forte entre poissons et DCP derivants pourrait alors causer un impact biologique inattendu sur les populations pelagiques (thons et faune accompagnante). L'objectif est de tester cette hypothese dans l'Atlantique au moyen d'un programme de recherche s'appuyant sur du marquage et des etudes biologiques et physiologiques, parallelement a une analyse des donnees de peche (tailles et CPUE, avant et apres le deploiement des DCP derivants).

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15303/12636.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15303/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
The relationships between Philodendron solimoesense and the larvae of two chalcid wasp species, inhabiting up to 88% of the infructescences, were studied in French Guiana. Exurus sp. (Chalcidoidea, Eulophidae, Tetrastichinae), is a gall maker and its larvae develop at the expense of seeds which are transformed into galls. We estimate that two seeds are necessary for the development of one eulophid. Their impact on plant reproductive success appears to be important, since parasitized fruits produce 60% fewer seeds than nonparasitized fruits and could explain the reduced seed set observed (53%). The larvae of a Sycophila sp. (Chalcidoidea, Eurytomidae, Eurytominae) are also present in the fruits of P. solimoesense occupied by eulophid larvae. The eurytomid larvae apparently develop at the expense of about one eulophid and are responsible for the death of 39% of them by direct predation or indirectly by consuming the gall tissues. Eulophids are far more abundant than eurytomids, since parasitized fruits contain an average of 11 eulophids but only one eurytomid. As chalcid wasp emergence takes place in a closed cavity and sex ratios are strongly biased in a given gall, local mate competition may occur as observed for fig wasps within figs.
International Journal of Plant Sciences

hal-01202708
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01202708

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Wiley
Résumé : International audience
Questions: Several studies have described aggregated spatial patterns in tropical tree species. This study investigates aggregate dynamics of Vouacapoua americana (Aublet), a climax species whose spatial pattern is not simply related to light and soil conditions or to its short seed dispersal range. Location: Two rain forest sites: Nouragues and Paracou, in the Guiana Shield. Methods: We described the spatial pattern of tree locations and spatial autocorrelation of tree diameters, using statistics derived from Ripley's K. We particularly used methods to define analysis subplots according to local density or local mean diameter. We investigated relationships between spatial distributions of adults and saplings. Results: At both sites, populations of Vouacapoua demonstrated several nested levels of aggregation. Tree diameters were spatially autocorrelated, revealing the existence of clusters with similar diameters. In the largest aggregates, tree diameters declined from the centre to the edge. Regeneration was aggregated and occurred mainly at cluster edges and around rare isolated trees, and sapling densities and basal area of adults were negatively correlated. We show that long-distance dispersal events are rare. Conclusions: Environmental factors and seed dispersal only explain part of the observed spatial patterns. We provide two main hypotheses about Vouacapoua population dynamics. First, the lack of regeneration in aggregate centres results in the ageing of existing aggregates. We suggest that this lack of recruitment close to mature trees is due to a Janzen-Connell effect. However, aggregates can continue to grow along colonization fronts. Second, long-distance dispersal events allow the formation of new clusters and play a crucial role in the colonization process. We investigate aggregate dynamics of Vouacapoua americana (Aublet) whose spatial pattern is not simply related to environmental conditions or to its seed dispersal. Regeneration does not occur in centers of aggregate of adults. We suggest that rare long-distance dispersal events and density-dependence predation of seeds and seedlings play a crucial role in formation of new clusters and structuration of larger aggregates.
ISSN: 1100-9233

hal-01502642
https://hal-agroparistech.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01502642
DOI : 10.1111/jvs.12080

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Ecoscience
Résumé : International audience
Hymenoptera pollinators and figs (ripe or unripe) of Ficus vallis-choudae are protected from the predatory activity of myrmicine ants (Atopomyrmex mocquerisi; Crematogaster clariventris; Cremato gaster sp.) by other ants (Camponotus acvapimensis and Camponotus brutus; Formicinae) who attack neither unripe figs nor the pollinator. On trees occupied by Atopomyrmex and Crematogaster, and on trees invaded by columns of workers after recruitment by scouts, the predatory activity begins when the fig wasps emerge. Then, the ants attack unripe figs (asynchronization in ripeness), destroying whole figs of certain trees. The male function of the trees through pollen dispersal by fig wasps is, therefore, severely reduced, while the female function (seed dispersal) is affected only on unripe figs before fig wasp emergence. We recorded 13 ant species on the 73 Ficus vallis-choudae of the Batchenga savanna (Cameroon) studied, but only the five previously cited species were able to occupy an entire fig tree. The three Myrmicinae which have a status of dominant (large colony size; strong territoriality vis-à-vis other dominant species; can tolerate non-dominant species) tended scale insects. Both Camponotus species (and the eight other ant species) are non-dominant (small colony size), but are able to occupy a whole tree under certain conditions (here, when they tend the tettigometrid Hilda undata) and to be territorial. Their status corresponds, therefore, to that of sub-dominant. Tests of aggressiveness showed that each ant species is aggressive towards alien conspecifics. C. brutus individuals were tolerated on fig trees occupied by Atopomyrmex mocquerisi or by Crematogaster clariventris, while workers of both latter species, who do not tolerate one another, were not tolerated on fig trees occupied by C. brutus. In this situation, the cost-benefit for the trees depends on the ant species that occupies their foliage; C. brutus, when tending tettigometrids, is advantageous. There is, therefore, an indirect influence of the tettigometrids on the production of fig pollinating wasps and seeds. Chez Ficus vallis-choudae, les figues, matures ou non, et leurs hyménoptères pollinisateurs sont protégés de l'activité prédatice de la part de trois espèces de fourmis Myrmicinae (Atopomyrmex mocquerisi; Crematogaster clariventris; Crematogaster sp.) par d'autres fourmis (Camponotus acvapimensis et Camponotus brutus; Formicinae) qui, elles, ne s'attaquent ni aux figues non matures, ni aux pollinisateurs. L'action prédatrice des Atopomyrmex et des Crematogaster débute à l'émergence des pollinisateurs et sétend sur des figuiers qu'elles n'occupent pas grâce à la formation de colonnes recrutées par des ouvrières éclaireuses. Ensuite, elles attaquent les figues moins mûres (asynchronie dans la maturation), toutes les figues d'un arbre pouvant être détruites. La fonction mâle de l'arbre est donc sévèrement réduite via la prédation des pollinisateurs. La fonction femelle est moins affectée, les figues, au moment de l'émergence des pollinisateurs ayant des graines matures. Nous avons recensé 13 espèces de fourmis sur les 73 Ficus vallis-choudae étudiés dans la savane de Batchenga (Cameroun), mais uniquement les cinq espèces citées ci-haut peuvent occuper un figuier entier. Les trois Myrmicinae sont des « dominantes » (grosses colonies; forte territorialité contre les autres dominantes; peuvent tolérer des « non-dominantes » ) qui exploitent des cochenilles. Les deux Camponotus (ainsi que les huit autres espèces) appartiennent au lot des « non-dominantes » (petites colonies), mais dans certaines situations (ici, lorsqu'elles exploitent le Tettigometridae Hilda undata) elles peuvent aussi occuper un arbre entier et en défendre l'accès. On les qualifie alors de « sub-dominantes » . Des tests d'agressivité ont permis de montrer que chaque espèce est agressive vis-à-vis d'ouvrières étrangères conspécifiques, que les ouvrières de Camponotus brutus sont tolérées sur les figuiers occupés par Atopomyr ex mocquerisi ou par Crematogaster clariventris, alors que les ouvrières de ces deux espèces, qui ne se tolèrent pas entre elles, ne sont pas tolérées sur les figuiers occupés par Camponotus brutus. Dans ces conditions, le rapport coût/bénéfice pour l'arbre dépend de l'espèce de fourmi qui l'occupe, Camponotus brutus étant l'espèce avantageuse, grâce à l'exploitation des tettigomètres. En conséquence, il y a une influence indirecte du tettitogomètre sur la production d'insectes pollinasiteurs et de graines.
ISSN: 1195-6860

hal-01214443
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01214443
DOI : 10.2307/42902390

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Wiley-Blackwell
Résumé : International audience
1. Our understanding of the contribution of interspecific interactions to functional diversity in nature lags behind our knowledge of spatial and temporal patterns. Although two-species mutualisms are found in all types of ecosystems, the study of their ecological influences on other community members has mostly been limited to third species, while their influence on entire communities remains largely unexplored. 2. We hypothesized that mutualistic interactions between two respective ant species and an epiphyte mediate the biological traits composition of entire invertebrate communities that use the same host plant, thereby affecting food webs and functional diversity at the community level. 3. Aechmea mertensii (Bromeliaceae) is both a phytotelm ('plant-held water') and an ant-garden epiphyte. We sampled 111 bromeliads (111 aquatic invertebrate communities) associated with either the ant Pachycondyla goeldii or Camponotus femoratus. The relationships between ants, bromeliads and invertebrate abundance data were examined using a redundancy analysis. Biological traits information for invertebrates was structured using a fuzzy-coding technique, and a co-inertia analysis between traits and abundance data was used to interpret functional differences in bromeliad ecosystems. 4. The vegetative traits of A. mertensii depended on seed dispersion by C. femoratus and P. goeldii along a gradient of local conditions. The ant partner selected sets of invertebrates with traits that were best adapted to the bromeliads' morphology, and so the composition of the biological traits of invertebrate phytotelm communities depends on the identity of the ant partner. Biological traits suggest a bottom-up control of community structure in C. fenaoratus-associated phytotelmata and a greater structuring role for predatory invertebrates in P. goeldii-associated plants. 5. This study presents new information showing that two-species mutualisms affect the functional diversity of a much wider range of organisms. Most biological systems form complex networks where nodes (e.g. species) are more or less closely linked to each other, either directly or indirectly, through intermediate nodes. Our observations provide community-level information about biological interactions and functional diversity, and perspectives for further observations intended to examine whether large-scale changes in interacting species/community structure over broad geographical and anthropogenic gradients affect ecosystem functions.
Functional Ecology

hal-01096909
https://hal-agroparistech.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01096909
DOI : 10.1111/j.1365-2435-2011.01863.x

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Wiley
Résumé : International audience
Our understanding of the contribution of interspecific interactions to functional diversity in nature lags behind our knowledge of spatial and temporal patterns. Although two-species mutualisms are found in all types of ecosystems, the study of their ecological influences on other community members has mostly been limited to third species, while their influence on entire communities remains largely unexplored. 2. We hypothesized that mutualistic interactions between two respective ant species and an epiphyte mediate the biological traits composition of entire invertebrate communities that use the same host plant, thereby affecting food webs and functional diversity at the community level. 3. Aechmea mertensii (Bromeliaceae) is both a phytotelm ('plant-held water') and an ant-garden epiphyte. We sampled 111 bromeliads (111 aquatic invertebrate communities) associated with either the ant Pachycondyla goeldii or Camponotus femoratus. The relationships between ants, bromeliads and invertebrate abundance data were examined using a redundancy analysis. Biological traits information for invertebrates was structured using a fuzzy-coding technique, and a co-inertia analysis between traits and abundance data was used to interpret functional differences in bromeliad ecosystems. 4. The vegetative traits of A. mertensii depended on seed dispersion by C. femoratus and P. goeldii along a gradient of local conditions. The ant partner selected sets of invertebrates with traits that were best adapted to the bromeliads' morphology, and so the composition of the biological traits of invertebrate phytotelm communities depends on the identity of the ant partner. Biological traits suggest a bottom-up control of community structure in C. femoratus-associated phytotelmata and a greater structuring role for predatory invertebrates in P. goeldii-associated plants. 5. This study presents new information showing that two-species mutualisms affect the functional diversity of a much wider range of organisms. Most biological systems form complex networks where nodes (e. g. species) are more or less closely linked to each other, either directly or indirectly, through intermediate nodes. Our observations provide community-level information about biological interactions and functional diversity, and perspectives for further observations intended to examine whether large-scale changes in interacting species/community structure over broad geographical and anthropogenic gradients affect ecosystem functions.
ISSN: 0269-8463

hal-00817509
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00817509