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2017/11/19

Japanese ants invade the United States, change eating habits and expand

University Journal Online Editorial Department

　A Japanese-American joint research group led by Professor Kenji Matsuura of Kyoto University has shown that Japanese brachyponera chinensis has invaded the United States, changed its eating habits, and chased other ants to expand its distribution. Research and radiocarbon analysis revealed.The group also includes Okayama University, Ryukyu University, North Carolina State University, and Texas A & M University.

　Due to human activity, many organisms are brought to places other than their original habitat, adversely affecting native organisms.This alien species problem is considered to be one of the causes of species extinction.

　Brachyponera chinensis in Japan is a termite predator that frequently lives with termite nesting trees and lives while hunting termites with its poisonous needles.This brachyponera chinensis has invaded the United States and is expanding its distribution.

　In this study, we first collected and investigated termites and ants nesting on decaying trees in Japan (Okayama Prefecture), the place of origin, and the United States (North Carolina), the invading area. Investigate.In addition, stable isotope analysis and radiocarbon analysis were used to investigate the food habits of Brachyponera chinensis at the place of origin and invasion.

　As a result, it was found that Brachyponera chinensis changed its eating habits so that it could be widely used by herbivores and arthropods in addition to termites.Due to the widening of food habits, the use of resources in favor of native ants has reduced the number of native species.These results indicate that changes in the organisms of alien species between the place of origin and the place of invasion can have a large impact on the ecosystem of the place of invasion that cannot be predicted from the situation of the place of origin.

　This study underscores the fact that "organisms change at the point of invasion."In the future, it is expected to provide important knowledge for considering the import / export of all living things and the problem of alien species.

Paper information:[Scientific Reports] Radiocarbon analysis reveals expanded diet breadth associates with the invasion of a predatory ant

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