Run to the nest: A parody on the Iron Maiden song by Corotoca spp. (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/1807-0205/2019.59.18

Keywords:

Passive dispersal, Termite, Rove beetle, Termitophily

Abstract

Rove beetles belonging to the genus Corotoca (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) are termitophiles exclusively found in nests of Constrictotermes (Isoptera: Termitidae). We observed the reproductive behavior of Corotoca melantho and C. fontesi during host (C. cyphergaster) foraging events. The reproductive behaviors of both species are similar. The variables collected for analysis were distance traveled, the time of larval deposition, nest return time, and locomotion speed. The fact that the female stops in the middle of the foraging trail to deposit the larva leads to a discussion of how its physiological or voluntary mechanisms function to determine the correct stopping time and the importance of speed when returning to the nest as a strategy to avoid predation. This study provides new information concerning the life cycle of Corotoca spp., although complete understanding of host-termitophile relationships, their evolutionary history, and the significance of viviparity will require additional studies.

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Author Biographies

  • Igor Eloi Moreira, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB), Departamento de Biologia (DEPBIO), Laboratório de Ecologia de Térmitas - Campina Grande, PB, Brasil.

    Rua Baraúnas, 351, Universitário, CEP 58429‑500, Campina Grande, PB, Brasil.
    Undergraduate Student in State University of Paraiba

  • Carlos Moreno Pires-Silva, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB), Departamento de Biologia (DEPBIO), Laboratório de Ecologia de Térmitas - Campina Grande, PB, Brasil.

    Rua Baraúnas, 351, Universitário, CEP 58429‑500, Campina Grande, PB, Brasil.
    Undergraduate Student in State University of Paraiba

  • Kézia Gomes Ribeiro, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB), Departamento de Biologia (DEPBIO), Laboratório de Ecologia de Térmitas - Campina Grande, PB, Brasil.

    Rua Baraúnas, 351, Universitário, CEP 58429‑500, Campina Grande, PB, Brasil.
    Undergraduate student at State University of Paraiba.

  • Bruno Zilberman, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Museu de Zoologia (MZUSP) - São Paulo, SP, Brasil.

    Avenida Nazaré, 481, Ipiranga, CEP 04263‑000, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
    Master degree in Taxonomy and Systematics from the Zoology Museum of the University of São Paulo.

  • Maria Avany Bezerra-Gusmão, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB), Departamento de Biologia (DEPBIO), Laboratório de Ecologia de Térmitas - Campina Grande, PB, Brasil.

    Rua Baraúnas, 351, Universitário, CEP 58429‑500, Campina Grande, PB, Brasil.
    Professor at the Biology departament in State University of Paraiba. 

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Published

2019-04-03

Issue

Vol. 59 (2019)

Section

Original Article

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Responsibility: The scientific content and the opinions expressed in the manuscript are the sole responsibility of the author(s).

Copyrights: Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia. The journal is licensed under a Creative Commons attribution-type CC-BY.

How to Cite

Moreira, I. E., Pires-Silva, C. M., Ribeiro, K. G., Zilberman, B., & Bezerra-Gusmão, M. A. (2019). Run to the nest: A parody on the Iron Maiden song by Corotoca spp. (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae). Papéis Avulsos De Zoologia, 59, e20195918. https://doi.org/10.11606/1807-0205/2019.59.18