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INCOGNITO. "These results not only add aphids to the limited list of arthropods known to biosynthesize the cuticular chemicals of their deceived hosts to exploit their resources but describe a remarkable case of plastic aggressive mimicry." https://lnkd.in/d9truvs View in LinkedIn

NEW VIEW OF GENOMES. “Traditionally, genomes have been perceived mostly as repositories of protein-coding genes. Although this might be largely true in the case of viruses, prokaryotes, and unicellular eukaryotes, numerous recent studies on the genomes of multicellular eukaryotes, particularly animals, have revealed a vast non-coding RNome, i.e., numerous genes encoding various classes of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs).” https://lnkd.in/dwuaM5f View in LinkedIn

APHID BETRAYAL. "We report an unprecedented aphid–ant interaction in which one of the two clonally produced root-dwelling morphs of the aphid Paracletus cimiciformis imitates the cuticular hydrocarbons of Tetramorium ant larvae, inducing ants to transport the aphids to their brood chamber, where they suck on ant larva hemolymph. To our knowledge, this strategy constitutes the first known case of aggressive mimicry in aphids." http://www.pnas.org/content/112/4/1101.full View in LinkedIn

INSTAR CULLING. "The cost-benefit logic of this type of polyculture husbandry has striking analogies with human farming practices based on slaughtering young animals for meat to maximize milk-production by a carefully regulated adult livestock population." http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/12/106?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BMCUMCG+(BioMed+Central+Publications+by+University+Medical+Center+Groningen) View in LinkedIn

MEAT VS HONEYDEW. "The ants appear to eat most of the early instar aphids, so that adult aphids are unlikely to face limited phloem resources and scramble competition with other aphids. We suggest that such culling of carbohydrate-providing symbionts for protein ingestion may maintain maximal host yield per aphid while also benefitting the domesticated aphids as long as their clone-mates reproduce successfully." (Instar, a transitory juvenile phase). https://lnkd.in/dYTnMRA) View in LinkedIn

DISEASE REDUCTION. "Our results extend the long-standing view of ants as mutualists and protectors of aphids by demonstrating focused sanitizing and quarantining behaviour that may lead to reduced disease transmission in aphid colonies." http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2009/11/16/rsbl.2009.0743.short View in LinkedIn

DISEASE REDUCTION. "Our results extend the long-standing view of ants as mutualists and protectors of aphids by demonstrating focused sanitizing and quarantining behaviour that may lead to reduced disease transmission in aphid colonies." http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2009/11/16/rsbl.2009.0743.short View in LinkedIn

HYGIENIC GROOMING. "The bodies of fungal-killed aphids were quickly removed from ant-tended aphid colonies. Ant workers were also able to detect infective conidia on the cuticle of living aphids and responded by either removing or grooming these aphids." http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2009/11/16/rsbl.2009.0743.short View in LinkedIn

WINTER CARETAKING. "Although most ant–aphid trophobiotic associations are facultative, some ant species bring aphids or even aphid eggs into their nests in winter, ensuring the continuity of the relationship." https://lnkd.in/d9truvs View in LinkedIn

CONTROLLING THE HERD. "We believe that ants could use the tranquillising chemicals in their footprints to maintain a populous 'farm' of aphids close their colony, to provide honeydew on tap. Ants have even been known to occasionally eat some of the aphids themselves, so subduing them in this way is obviously a great way to keep renewable honeydew and prey easily available." http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071009212548.htm View in LinkedIn