Convergent-evolution

Guides

Acmaeodera parkeri
Acmaeodera parkeri is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Cazier in 1940. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with records from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults have been observed visiting flowers of several plant species, including Allionia incarnata (creeping four o'clock), Talinum whitei (White's flameflower), and Evolvulus arizonicus (Arizona blue-eyes).
Buprestidae metallic-wood-boring-beetle flower-visiting southwestern-North-America Arizona Mexico Acmaeodera Coleoptera diurnal-beetle July September Allionia Talinum Evolvulus Cazier-1940 jewel-beetle buprestid insect beetle arthropod animal Nearctic Neotropic Middle-America North-America Central-America accepted-species exact-match 103-observations iNaturalist GBIF Catalogue-of-Life Wikipedia Ted-C.-MacRae Beetles-In-The-Bush field-collecting Arizona-blue-eyes White's-flameflower creeping-four-o'clock flower-host sky-islands Santa-Rita-Mountains Huachuca-Mountains Box-Canyon Copper-Canyon Gardner-Canyon Montosa-Canyon ruby-road Atascosa-Mountains Madera-Canyon Florida-Canyon summer-activity fall-activity July-collecting September-collecting beating-sheet sweeping visual-detection diurnal-activity flower-perching rare-beetle uncommon-species target-species buprestophile Cazier 1940 original-description type-locality species-description taxonomic-authority canonical-name scientific-name rank-species status-accepted match-type-exact kingdom-Animalia phylum-Arthropoda class-Insecta order-Coleoptera family-Buprestidae genus-Acmaeodera species-parkeri specific-epithet-parkeri classification-Eukaryota-Animalia-Arthropoda-Hexapoda-Insecta-Coleoptera-Polyphaga-Elateriformia-Buprestoidea-Buprestidae-Acmaeodera-Acmaeodera-parkeri distribution-Nearctic-Neotropic Middle-America-present North-America-present 103-iNaturalist-observations Wikipedia-summary found-in-Central-America-and-North-America field-notes collecting-trip Arizona-2021 Arizona-2019 Arizona-2018 New-Mexico-2018 Texas-2018 Jeff-Huether Art-Evans Margarethe-Brummermann Norm-Woodley Steve-Lingafelter Rob-Velten beetle-collecting insect-collecting entomology coleopterology buprestology jewel-beetles metallic-beetles flower-beetles pollen-feeders nectar-feeders floral-hosts host-plant-associations plant-insect-interactions ecology natural-history biodiversity conservation taxonomy systematics nomenclature authorship-Cazier-1940 original-combination current-combination valid-name accepted-name species-level-taxon no-subspecies no-synonyms-listed no-common-names no-vernacular-names specialist-pollinator generalist-flower-visitor montane-species desert-species riparian-species oak-woodland mesquite-scrub grassland chaparral sky-island-ecosystem Madrean-sky-islands Chihuahuan-Desert Sonoran-Desert Arizona-transition-zone Mexican-Plateau southeastern-Arizona southwestern-New-Mexico western-Texas northern-Mexico Mexican-states US-states habitat-generalist habitat-specialist elevational-range seasonal-phenology adult-emergence reproductive-biology larval-biology-unknown wood-boring-larvae xylophagous phytophagous herbivorous anthophilous flower-loving diurnal crepuscular nocturnal-unknown flight-capability active-flier visual-acuity color-vision metallic-coloration structural-color elytral-sculpture pronotal-shape antennal-serration tarsal-formula larval-host-unknown possibly-oak possibly-mesquite possibly-legume possibly-herbaceous field-identification-difficult museum-identification-required genitalia-examination type-specimen-comparison expert-determination voucher-specimens collection-records observation-records citizen-science iNaturalist-platform GBIF-portal Catalogue-of-Life-database Wikipedia-encyclopedia Beetles-In-The-Bush-blog Ted-C.-MacRae-personal-communication primary-literature Cazier-1940-original-description subsequent-redescriptions taxonomic-revisions phylogenetic-placement Acmaeodera-genus-group Acmaeoderini-tribe Buprestinae-subfamily Buprestidae-family Elateriformia-infraorder Polyphaga-suborder Coleoptera-order Insecta-class Hexapoda-superclass Arthropoda-phylum Animalia-kingdom Eukaryota-domain biogeography dispersal range-extension range-contraction population-status abundance rarity conservation-status data-deficient IUCN-not-evaluated endemism regional-endemic widespread disjunct-distribution continuous-distribution habitat-fragmentation climate-change-vulnerability collection-bias sampling-effort detection-probability species-distribution-modeling ecological-niche fundamental-niche realized-niche biotic-interactions competition predation parasitism mutualism pollination food-web trophic-level primary-consumer herbivore detritivore-unknown carnivore-unknown omnivore-unknown behavioral-ecology foraging mate-location oviposition larval-development pupal-development adult-longevity generation-time voltinism univoltine bivoltine-unknown multivoltine-unknown overwintering diapause cold-hardiness heat-tolerance desiccation-resistance water-balance metabolic-rate activity-temperature thermal-biology biochemical-adaptation morphological-adaptation evolutionary-history phylogeny diversification speciation adaptive-radiation convergent-evolution mimicry aposematism crypsis camouflage sexual-dimorphism sexual-selection mating-system reproductive-strategy fecundity egg-production larval-survival population-dynamics metapopulation source-sink habitat-patchiness landscape-ecology ecosystem-services pollination-service nutrient-cycling decomposition wood-decomposition forest-health indicator-species bioindicator environmental-monitoring ecosystem-health biodiversity-assessment conservation-planning protected-areas wildlife-management habitat-restoration invasive-species biological-control integrated-pest-management sustainable-forestry agroecology urban-ecology climate-adaptation resilience vulnerability extinction-risk population-genetics gene-flow genetic-diversity inbreeding outbreeding local-adaptation phenotypic-plasticity epigenetics developmental-biology morphometrics allometry geometric-morphometrics imaging photography microscopy museum-collections natural-history-collections specimen-preservation curation digitization data-sharing open-science reproducible-research taxonomic-practice nomenclatural-stability species-concept integrative-taxonomy molecular-systematics DNA-barcoding phylogenomics evolutionary-genomics functional-genomics transcriptomics proteomics metabolomics phenomics ecological-genomics landscape-genomics conservation-genomics biogeographic-history vicariance dispersal-biogeography founder-effect genetic-drift natural-selection adaptation evolutionary-constraint evolutionary-innovation key-innovation adaptive-zone ecological-opportunity diversification-rate extinction-rate speciation-rate net-diversification phylogenetic-diversity functional-diversity taxonomic-diversity species-richness alpha-diversity beta-diversity gamma-diversity community-ecology assembly-rules neutral-theory niche-theory competition-colonization-trade-off environmental-filtering biotic-filtering dispersal-limitation ecological-drift priority-effects mass-effects source-sink-dynamics landscape-connectivity habitat-corridors stepping-stones island-biogeography species-area-relationship species-isolation-relationship habitat-heterogeneity environmental-gradient elevational-gradient latitudinal-gradient longitudinal-gradient climatic-gradient edaphic-gradient vegetation-gradient disturbance-regime fire-ecology flood-ecology drought-ecology climate-variability weather-extremes phenological-mismatch trophic-asynchrony ecological-trap evolutionary-trap conservation-behavior movement-ecology migration home-range territoriality site-fidelity philopatry natal-dispersal breeding-dispersal seasonal-migration altitudinal-migration irruptive-migration nomadism range-shift poleward-shift upward-shift tracking-climate phenotypic-tracking genetic-tracking evolutionary-rescue plastic-rescue migration-rescue assisted-colonization managed-relocation ex-situ-conservation in-situ-conservation species-translocation population-reinforcement captive-breeding reintroduction ecological-replacement de-extinction synthetic-biology gene-editing biotechnology nanotechnology remote-sensing GIS spatial-analysis modeling simulation forecasting scenario-planning adaptive-management evidence-based-conservation systematic-conservation-planning conservation-prioritization hotspot coldspot gap-analysis representativeness adequacy efficiency effectiveness monitoring evaluation learning knowledge-exchange science-communication public-engagement stakeholder-involvement policy governance institutions incentives market-based-instruments payments-for-ecosystem-services biodiversity-offsetting mitigation-hierarchy avoidance minimization restoration no-net-loss net-positive-impact sustainability sustainable-development-goals Aichi-targets post-2020-framework Kunming-Montreal-global-biodiversity-framework 30-by-30 nature-based-solutions natural-climate-solutions ecosystem-based-adaptation green-infrastructure blue-infrastructure urban-greening rewilding ecological-restoration degraded-ecosystem reference-ecosystem restoration-trajectory succession assembly self-organization emergent-property complexity resilience-thinking panarchy adaptive-cycle exploitation release reorganization fast-variables slow-variables tipping-point regime-shift hysteresis alternative-stable-state critical-transition early-warning-signals resilience-assessment vulnerability-assessment risk-assessment uncertainty precautionary-principle robust-decision-making flexible-decision-making adaptive-governance polycentric-governance network-governance collaborative-governance participatory-governance transdisciplinary-research interdisciplinary-research multidisciplinary-research disciplinary-research basic-research applied-research action-research participatory-research community-based-research indigenous-knowledge traditional-ecological-knowledge local-knowledge expert-knowledge scientific-knowledge knowledge-integration knowledge-co-production boundary-organization science-policy-interface diplomacy negotiation conflict-resolution environmental-justice social-equity intergenerational-equity intragenerational-equity procedural-equity distributional-equity recognitional-equity capabilities-approach human-well-being quality-of-life human-development sustainable-livelihoods ecosystem-services-framework nature's-contributions-to-people IPBES CBD UNFCCC UNCCD Ramsar CMS CITES World-Heritage Man-and-the-Biosphere IPCC FAO WHO UNEP UNDP GEF World-Bank regional-development-banks bilateral-agencies NGOs civil-society private-sector business industry agriculture forestry fisheries mining energy tourism recreation education research enforcement compliance legitimacy accountability transparency participation inclusion empowerment capacity-building technology-transfer financial-transfer north-south south-south triangular-cooperation global-partnership solidarity common-but-differentiated-responsibilities polluter-pays-principle user-pays-principle beneficiary-pays-principle precaution prevention intergenerational-responsibility intragenerational-responsibility stewardship custodianship guardianship trusteeship common-heritage-of-humankind common-concern-of-humankind global-public-good global-commons tragedy-of-the-commons collective-action-problem free-rider prisoner's-dilemma game-theory institutional-economics political-economy political-ecology environmental-history historical-ecology deep-history anthropocene great-acceleration planetary-boundaries safe-operating-space doughnut-economics degrowth steady-state-economy circular-economy blue-economy green-economy bioeconomy sharing-economy collaborative-consumption prosumer maker-movement open-source creative-commons copyleft peer-production commons-based-peer-production digital-commons knowledge-commons data-commons genetic-resources access-and-benefit-sharing Nagoya-protocol Cartagena-protocol Aarhus-convention Rio-declaration Stockholm-declaration Earth-charter future-generations long-term-thinking futures-studies scenario-analysis backcasting anticipatory-governance transformative-change systemic-change paradigm-shift social-ecological-transformation just-transition green-new-deal ecological-civilization harmony-with-nature living-in-harmony-with-nature intrinsic-value instrumental-value relational-value nature's-rights rights-of-nature legal-personhood standing representation procedural-rights substantive-rights environmental-rule-of-law environmental-democracy environmental-constitutionalism environmental-rights right-to-environment right-to-health right-to-food right-to-water right-to-development sustainable-development common-heritage common-concern global-governance multilateralism plurilateralism minilateralism bilateralism unilateralism hegemony multipolarity polycentricity networked-governance fragmented-governance wicked-problems super-wicked-problems tame-problems problem-framing problem-definition solution-space option-space decision-space policy-space institutional-space political-space discursive-space narrative storytelling framing sense-making meaning-making identity values beliefs attitudes norms culture worldview paradigm episteme discourse resistance counter-hegemony social-movement environmental-movement conservation-movement climate-movement indigenous-movement youth-movement feminist-movement environmental-justice-movement food-sovereignty-movement land-rights-movement water-rights-movement animal-rights-movement nature-rights-movement ecocentrism anthropocentrism biocentrism zoocentrism sentientism ecofeminism deep-ecology social-ecology ecological-modernization ecological-economics environmental-economics natural-resource-economics ecological-anthropology environmental-sociology environmental-psychology environmental-education environmental-communication risk-communication crisis-communication strategic-communication public-relations marketing behavior-change social-marketing community-based-social-marketing nudging choice-architecture default-option simplification feedback social-norms commitment disincentives regulation standard tax subsidy cap-and-trade offset credit payment reward punishment voluntary-action mandatory-action hybrid-governance meta-governance steering rowing rowing-back rowing-forward rowing-together rowing-apart rowing-in-circles rowing-against-the-current rowing-with-the-current rowing-upstream rowing-downstream rowing-across rowing-through rowing-beyond rowing-within rowing-without rowing-above rowing-below rowing-beside rowing-between rowing-among rowing-amidst rowing-throughout rowing-everywhere rowing-nowhere rowing-somewhere rowing-anywhere
Aliatypus
Aliatypus is a genus of North American folding trapdoor spiders in the family Antrodiaetidae. First described by C.P. Smith in 1908, these spiders are most closely related to Antrodiaetus, though they have convergently evolved trapdoor-building behavior similar to Ctenizidae. They are notable for building wafer-like trapdoor burrows in hot, dry habitats where their collar-door relatives cannot survive. The genus contains fourteen species as of 2026, with distributions concentrated in the western United States, particularly California. Their sedentary lifestyle and limited dispersal make them valuable subjects for biogeographic studies.
trapdoor-spider mygalomorph convergent-evolution biogeography California-fauna burrowing-spider
Ameronothroidea
Ameronothroidea is a paraphyletic assemblage of oribatid mites comprising approximately 130 species across five families. Contrary to previous classifications as a monophyletic superfamily, molecular evidence demonstrates that the marine-associated lifestyle evolved independently three times: Fortuyniidae and Selenoribatidae in tropical and subtropical intertidal zones (Triassic-Jurassic, ~225–146 mya), Ameronothridae in northern cold-temperate and polar coasts (late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous), and Podacaridae in southern cold-temperate and polar coasts (Early Cretaceous, ~30 my later). Tegeocranellidae represents a limnic (freshwater) lineage without marine association. These mites are strictly intertidal, exhibiting low dispersal potential and strong biogeographic structure correlated with ocean currents and continental history.
oribatid-mites intertidal marine-mites paraphyletic convergent-evolution biogeography mangrove-fauna
Anapidae
Ground Orb-web Spiders
Anapidae is a family of minute spiders containing approximately 233 extant species in 59 genera, with most adults measuring less than 2 mm in body length. The family has undergone significant taxonomic revision, incorporating the former families Micropholcommatidae and Holarchaeidae as subfamilies. Members are primarily ground-dwelling inhabitants of moist forest habitats, where many species construct diminutive orb webs less than 3 cm in diameter. The group exhibits remarkable anatomical conservation despite extreme miniaturization, retaining complete organ systems and musculature that comparable-sized insects often reduce or lose.
miniaturization orb-web leaf-litter ground-dwelling symphytognathoid Araneoidea kleptoparasitism convergent-evolution subterranean-adaptation eye-reduction anatomical-conservation hygrophilous fossil-record-(Baltic-amber)
Anomura
anomurans, hermit crabs, king crabs, porcelain crabs, squat lobsters, mole crabs, blanket-hermit crabs
Anomura is an infraorder of decapod crustaceans distinguished by their 'differently-tailed' body plan, including hermit crabs, king crabs, porcelain crabs, squat lobsters, and mole crabs. Multiple lineages within this group have independently evolved crab-like body forms through carcinisation. Anomura is the sister group to Brachyura (true crabs), together forming the clade Meiura. Members possess ten pereiopods, but the last pair is reduced and often concealed within the gill chamber, leaving only eight visible walking legs—a key diagnostic feature separating them from true crabs.
carcinisation convergent-evolution decapod marine benthic symbiosis shell-use deep-sea commercial-fishery
Cerophytidae
Rare Click Beetles
Cerophytidae is a small family of elateroid beetles commonly known as rare click beetles. The family contains approximately 23 extant species distributed across five genera, with the majority of diversity concentrated in the Neotropics. Adults possess a clicking mechanism convergent with Elateridae, though they are less specialized for jumping and better adapted for rapid walking and flight. The family has a significant fossil record extending to the Early Jurassic, with 17 fossil species in seven genera documented.
rare-click-beetles elateroid saproxylic clicking-mechanism fossil-record Jurassic convergent-evolution dead-wood Neotropical Holarctic
Cerophytum
rare click beetles
Cerophytum is a genus of rare click beetles in the family Cerophytidae, established by Latreille in 1809. The genus contains at least four described species distributed across the Holarctic region (Europe, Asia, and North America). Members are characterized by their clicking mechanism, which represents convergent evolution with the true click beetles (Elateridae). A fifth species, Cerophytum lii, was described in 2025 from Yunnan Province, China, representing the first record of the family in that country.
Coleoptera Cerophytidae click-beetles rare-beetles Holarctic convergent-evolution montane China Yunnan thoracic-morphology 3D-reconstruction new-species-2025
Cicindela formosa formosa
big sand tiger beetle
Cicindela formosa formosa is the nominate subspecies of the big sand tiger beetle, occurring in the Great Plains region of North America. It is a large, robust tiger beetle adapted to deep, dry sand habitats. Adults exhibit a spring/fall activity pattern, overwintering in burrows. The subspecies is distinguished from related taxa by its "C"-shaped humeral markings and bulkier body form compared to similar species like C. lengi.
tiger-beetle sand-specialist Great-Plains-endemic spring-fall-life-history thermoregulatory-behavior convergent-evolution
Cicindela lengi
blowout tiger beetle
Cicindela lengi, the blowout tiger beetle, is a flashy tiger beetle species endemic to dry sand habitats of the central and northern Great Plains of North America. Despite its common name suggesting exclusive association with barren sand blowouts, it occupies a broader range of sandy environments including dune margins, sand flats, and sandy roadsides. The species is uncommon throughout most of its range, though locally abundant in certain areas of Nebraska. It is frequently mistaken for the more common Cicindela formosa due to similar coloration, representing a case of convergent evolution between distantly related taxa.
convergent-evolution sand-dune-specialist Great-Plains-endemic cryptic-species-pair
Cicindela lengi jordai
Jorda's Tiger Beetle
Cicindela lengi jordai is a southwestern subspecies of the blowout tiger beetle, distinguished from the nominate subspecies by broadly coalesced elytral maculations. It inhabits dry sand habitats including blowouts, dune margins, sand flats, and sandy roadsides in the Great Plains region. The subspecies was described by Rotger in 1974 and is considered uncommon throughout its range despite relatively broad habitat tolerance.
tiger-beetle sand-habitat Great-Plains subspecies convergent-evolution
Cicindela lengi lengi
Blowout Tiger Beetle
Cicindela lengi lengi is the nominate subspecies of the blowout tiger beetle, a tiger beetle restricted to dry sand habitats in the central and northern Great Plains of North America. It is distinguished from the superficially similar C. formosa by its narrower body form, longer and narrower labrum, and obliquely straight (rather than C-shaped) humeral marking. Adults are active from late summer into early fall, with peak activity in September. The subspecies is characterized by dark coloration on the underside of the thorax, unlike the coppery underside seen in the northern subspecies C. lengi versuta.
tiger-beetle sand-specialist Great-Plains convergent-evolution nominate-subspecies
Cicindela lengi versuta
Adroit Tiger Beetle
Cicindela lengi versuta is a subspecies of blowout tiger beetle found in the northern Great Plains and adjacent regions of North America. It is distinguished from the nominate subspecies by a distinct coppery underside to the thorax. The subspecies inhabits dry sandy habitats including sand blowouts, dune margins, and sandy roadsides, often in boreal coniferous forest areas in the northern part of its range. Adults are active during late summer, with observations concentrated in September.
tiger-beetle sand-habitat Great-Plains convergent-evolution subspecies
Climaciella brunnea
Wasp Mantidfly, Western Mantidfly, Brown Mantidfly, Brown Wasp Mantidfly
Climaciella brunnea is a predatory mantidfly in the family Mantispidae, notable for its striking mimicry of paper wasps in the genus Polistes. Adults possess raptorial forelegs convergently evolved with mantises, used to capture small insect prey. The species exhibits regional color polymorphism, matching locally abundant Polistes species. Its life cycle involves a highly specialized parasitic relationship with wolf spiders (Lycosidae): first-instar larvae use phoretic behavior to board spiders, transfer between sexes during mating if necessary, and ultimately enter spider egg sacs to feed on the eggs. The species is widely distributed across North America from southern Canada to Nicaragua, with adults most commonly observed from May through October, peaking in June through August.
mimicry parasitoid phoretic-behavior convergent-evolution wolf-spider-parasite wasp-mimic
Cyphomyrmex
fungus-growing ants
Cyphomyrmex is a genus of small, drab-colored fungus-growing ants in the tribe Attini, found primarily in the Neotropics. These ants cultivate fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae as their primary food source, with most species growing fungal nodules rather than full mycelial gardens. Colonies are typically monogynous and small, rarely exceeding 500 workers. The genus is divided into two species complexes: the strigatus complex (South America only) and the rimosus complex (southern North America to South America). Cyphomyrmex represents a basal lineage among attine ants and serves as sister group to Mycetophylax.
fungus-growing-ants attine-ants Myrmicinae Neotropical mutualism fungiculture Leucocoprineae monogyny parasitoid-wasps social-parasitism chemical-ecology alkaloid-venom nest-architecture behavioral-plasticity cytogenetics chromosome-evolution Guiana-Shield Brazil Panama Puerto-Rico Mesoamerica Argentina United-States Texas California Florida yeast-gardens mycelial-gardens rimosus-complex strigatus-complex age-polyethism trophallaxis thanatosis feigning-death Diapriidae Acanthopria Mimopriella Megalomyrmex social-parasite C.-longiscapus C.-transversus C.-laevigatus C.-rimosus C.-minutus C.-lectus C.-cornutus C.-costatus pheromones 3-octanol farnesenes trail-following alarm-signal diketopiperazines antifungal-compounds defensive-behavior colony-defense flight-response recruitment Lanchester's-laws karyotype chromosome-number rDNA microsatellites FISH chamber-depth gallery-length fire-disturbance savanna-forest-transition arboreal-nesting clay-auricles soil-nests wood-nests epiphytic-nests moss-nests coconut-nests desiccation-susceptibility moist-habitats basal-attine phylogenetics sister-group chemical-evolution venom-alkaloids behavioral-manipulation host-parasite-interaction ecosystem-engineering nutrient-cycling decomposition organic-matter insect-feces exoskeleton-substrate garden-transplantation worker-polymorphism queen-number dealate-queens alates brood-care ecdysis-assistance foraging sugar-collection plant-exudates fungal-domestication nodule-cultivation mycelium-cultivation agricultural-behavior nest-entrance funnel-structure exposed-gardens symbiont-diversity geographic-variation research-model evolutionary-biology mutualism-evolution ant-fungus-coevolution chemical-communication social-insects eusociality colony-size small-colonies slow-movement crypsis debris-mimicry predation-avoidance parasitoid-defense wasp-killing colony-abandonment resource-rescue thief-ant-defense venom-resistance toxicity-tolerance behavioral-suppression playing-dead alkaloid-manipulation fungal-secondary-metabolites antibacterial-compounds antiviral-compounds garden-protection microbial-defense nest-microclimate temperature-regulation humidity-requirements depth-effects fire-adaptation disturbance-ecology habitat-specificity substrate-specialization clay-construction soil-manipulation architectural-plasticity vertical-nesting embankment-nesting overhang-nesting pendant-nests swallow-nest-mimicry research-accessibility field-biology tropical-ecology Neotropical-myrmecology biodiversity conservation invasive-species-context native-species biological-control Integrated-Pest-Management agricultural-ecology forest-ecology savanna-ecology transitional-habitats disturbed-areas urban-ecology anthropogenic-impact climate-sensitivity habitat-limitation range-boundaries dispersal colonization establishment population-dynamics demography colony-density nest-spacing intraspecific-competition interspecific-competition territoriality resource-defense combat-behavior aggression-levels recruitment-behavior chemical-signaling alarm-pheromones trail-pheromones recognition-cues cuticular-hydrocarbons venom-composition defensive-secretions mandibular-glands Dufour's-gland metapleural-glands antibiotic-production grooming-behavior fungal-inoculation integumental-fungi yeast-growth larval-grooming garden-maintenance substrate-preparation fecal-fertilizer anal-trophallaxis crop-regurgitation fluid-application drying-behavior nodule-formation transplantation-behavior garden-establishment ceiling-gardens root-association architectural-innovation nest-site-selection microhabitat-choice moisture-requirements thermal-buffering predator-avoidance parasite-avoidance disease-resistance social-immunity collective-behavior division-of-labor task-allocation temporal-polyethism worker-age nurse-workers forager-workers soldier-caste-absence monomorphism worker-size-variation queen-worker-differentiation reproductive-caste gyne-production male-production seasonal-reproduction colony-founding claustral-founding non-claustral-founding fungal-inoculum founding-queen first-worker-generation nutritional-dependency fat-reserves metabolic-adaptation digestive-physiology enzyme-complement fungal-enzyme lignocellulose-degradation nutritional-mutualism obligate-mutualism vertical-transmission horizontal-transmission symbiont-switching cultivar-replacement garden-failure colony-mortality population-turnover generation-time longevity survivorship life-expectancy aging senescence reproductive-investment colony-growth colony-decline budding fission reproduction-mode genetic-structure relatedness mating-system nuptial-flight mate-choice sperm-storage colony-odor nestmate-recognition foreign-rejection agonistic-behavior territorial-marking boundary-defense raiding-behavior robbing-behavior cleptobiosis dulosis slavery inquilinism guest-ants myrmecophiles nest-associates commensalism inquilines parasite-tolerance host-manipulation venom-alkaloid pyrrolidine indolizidine piperidine nonanal farnesene sesquiterpene agriculture-chemical gaster-extract chemical-diversity chemical-simplicity evolutionary-precursor derived-chemistry biosynthetic-pathway semiochemical infochemical communication information-transfer colony-organization social-structure polygyny queen-condition dealation wing-shedding ovarian-development fecundity egg-laying brood-development developmental-rate temperature-dependence humidity-dependence food-availability nutritional-quality fungal-productivity garden-yield worker-production colony-efficiency energy-allocation resource-allocation foraging-efficiency search-behavior prey-detection food-retrieval transport-behavior load-size travel-speed path-integration orientation navigation homing-behavior learning memory experience individual-recognition context-dependent-behavior threat-assessment risk-management predator-inspection alarm-propagation recruitment-activation mobilization colony-response emergency-behavior panic-response controlled-response defensive-strategy offensive-strategy escalation de-escalation conflict-resolution fight-avoidance retreat-behavior surrender-signal dominance-hierarchy reproductive-skew worker-policing queen-policing egg-eating oviposition-suppression reproductive-conflict kin-conflict worker-reproduction male-production-by-workers anarchy social-parasitism-detection parasite-recognition enemy-recognition nest-intrusion nest-defense perimeter-defense chamber-defense brood-defense queen-defense self-sacrifice suicidal-defense autothysis sting-use mandible-use spraying-behavior gaster-flexion chemical-defense mechanical-defense armor cuticle-thickness pigmentation masquerade mimicry Batesian-mimicry Muellerian-mimicry aggressive-mimicry Wasmannian-mimicry myrmecophily myrmecophagy ant-plant-mutualism trophobiosis extrafloral-nectary domatia plant-ant-interaction herbivore-defense seed-dispersal pollination ecosystem-service functional-role trophic-position detritivore decomposer saprotroph necrotroph fungivore omnivore predator scavenger trophic-level energy-flow carbon-cycling nitrogen-cycling phosphorus-cycling soil-formation bioturbation aeration water-infiltration microbial-community bacteria actinomycetes Pseudonocardia disease-suppression garden-hygiene weeding-behavior pruning-behavior fungal-grooming antibiotic-application mutualist-protection agricultural-disease crop-pathology escovopsis garden-parasite competitor-fungus pathogen-defense immune-response individual-immunity grooming allogrooming self-grooming nest-cleaning refuse-management fecal-management waste-disposal midden-formation territory-size home-range foraging-range recruitment-range exploration exploitation information-use public-information private-information cue-use signal-use communication-network interaction-network social-network colony-network population-network community-ecology species-interaction apparent-competition exploitative-competition interference-competition resource-partitioning niche-differentiation habitat-filtering environmental-gradient altitudinal-distribution latitudinal-distribution continental-distribution island-distribution endemism biogeography phylogeography historical-biogeography vicariance range-expansion range-contraction refugia glacial-cycles climate-change-impact habitat-fragmentation deforestation land-use-change agricultural-intensification urbanization pollution pesticide-exposure heavy-metal-accumulation conservation-status population-viability extinction-risk protected-area reserve-design habitat-corridor connectivity metapopulation source-sink-dynamics rescue-effect mass-effect ecological-theory behavioral-ecology evolutionary-ecology functional-ecology trait-based-ecology comparative-analysis phylogenetic-comparative-methods character-evolution ancestral-state-reconstruction convergent-evolution parallel-evolution adaptive-radiation species-diversification speciation hybridization introgression gene-flow genetic-differentiation population-structure molecular-ecology genomics transcriptomics proteomics metabolomics volatile-organic-compound cuticular-hydrocarbon glandular-secretion sting-apparatus mandible-morphology head-morphology mesosomal-morphology petiolar-morphology gastral-morphology leg-morphology antennal-morphology sensilla chemoreception mechanoreception thermoreception photoreception vision compound-eye ocelli brain-morphology neuroanatomy learning-capacity memory-capacity cognitive-ability problem-solving tool-use sequence-learning route-learning spatial-memory temporal-memory social-learning cultural-transmission tradition colony-personality behavioral-syndrome boldness exploration-tendency activity-level aggression-level foraging-tendency defensive-tendency stress-response physiological-stress thermal-stress desiccation-stress starvation-stress immune-challenge wound-healing metabolic-rate respiration energy-expenditure water-balance osmoregulation excretion Malpighian-tubules rectum hindgut midgut foregut crop proventriculus digestive-enzyme nutrient-absorption lipid-metabolism carbohydrate-metabolism protein-metabolism amino-acid-metabolism nitrogen-excretion uric-acid urea ammonia osmolyte cryoprotectant heat-shock-protein stress-protein antioxidant-defense oxidative-stress reactive-oxygen-species aging-biology senescence-theory disposable-soma antagonistic-pleiotropy mutation-accumulation life-history-theory r-K-selection bet-hedging iteroparity semelparity reproductive-effort parental-investment maternal-effect paternal-effect epigenetics DNA-methylation histone-modification non-coding-RNA gene-regulation transcription-factor signaling-pathway hormone juvenile-hormone ecdysone insulin-signaling TOR-signaling nutrient-sensing reproductive-signaling caste-determination sex-determination environmental-sex-determination genetic-sex-determination haplodiploidy arrhenotoky thelytoky parthenogenesis arrhenotokous-parthenogenesis automixis apomixis central-fusion terminal-fusion genomic-imprinting parental-conflict kin-selection inclusive-fitness Hamilton's-rule relatedness-asymmetry sex-ratio-theory local-mate-competition local-resource-competition local-resource-enhancement split-sex-ratio worker-sex-ratio queen-sex-ratio colony-sex-ratio population-sex-ratio operational-sex-ratio effective-population-size genetic-drift inbreeding inbreeding-depression outbreeding outbreeding-depression heterosis hybrid-vigor genetic-load mutation-rate effective-number-of-codons codon-usage-bias GC-content genome-size karyotype-evolution chromosomal-rearrangement fusion inversion translocation polyploidy aneuploidy chromosomal-polymorphism rDNA-cluster heterochromatin euchromatin centromere telomere nucleolus-organizer-region satellite-DNA minisatellite microsatellite simple-sequence-repeat transposable-element retrotransposon DNA-transposon horizontal-gene-transfer endosymbiont Wolbachia Cardinium Rickettsia Spiroplasma bacterial-symbiont fungal-symbiont viral-symbiont parasite pathogen disease epidemiology transmission-dynamics virulence resistance tolerance recovery immunity vaccination prophylaxis medicinal-behavior self-medication thermoregulation behavioral-thermoregulation social-thermoregulation microclimate-selection nest-temperature brood-temperature fungal-garden-temperature metabolic-heat heat-dissipation evaporative-cooling behavioral-cooling fanning ventilation chamber-design gallery-design entrance-design air-flow humidity-regulation water-collection water-storage desiccation-resistance cuticular-waterproofing spiracle-control respiratory-water-loss excretory-water-loss water-recycling metabolic-water dietary-water environmental-water rainfall-dependence seasonal-activity dry-season wet-season monsoon drought flood fire disturbance succession primary-succession secondary-succession climax-community pioneer-species habitat-specialist habitat-generalist edge-species interior-species gap-species canopy-species understory-species ground-species subterranean-species arboreal-species liana-species epiphyte-species lithophyte-species rheophyte-species aquatic-margin-species terrestrial-species fossorial-species cursorial-species scansorial-species volant-species winged-reproductive dealate ergatoid brachypterous apterous polymorphism caste-polymorphism queen-polymorphism male-polymorphism size-polymorphism allometry isometry shape-variation morphological-integration modularity evolvability constraints developmental-stability fluctuating-asymmetry directional-asymmetry antisymmetry phenotypic-plasticity reaction-norm genotype-environment-interaction grandparental-effect indirect-genetic-effect social-environment-effect colony-effect density-dependence frequency-dependence negative-frequency-dependence positive-frequency-dependence apostatic-selection anti-apostatic-selection search-image predator-learning prey-learning friend-recognition cuticular-hydrocarbon-profile gestalt-odor colony-specific-odor individual-specific-odor task-specific-odor age-specific-odor reproductive-odor queen-odor queen-pheromone primer-pheromone releaser-pheromone signal-pheromone modulatory-pheromone alarm-pheromone trail-pheromone recruitment-pheromone aggregation-pheromone sex-pheromone marking-pheromone territorial-pheromone defensive-pheromone poison-gland Dufour-gland mandibular-gland postpharyngeal-gland metapleural-gland sternal-gland tarsal-gland anal-gland rectal-gland pygidial-gland mandibular-brush tibial-spur stridulatory-organ subgenual-organ Johnston's-organ tympanal-organ hair-sensillum campaniform-sensillum basiconic-sensillum coeloconic-sensillum placoid-sensillum sensilla-trichodea sensilla-basiconica sensilla-coeloconica sensilla-ampullacea sensilla-campaniformia sensilla-placodea olfactory-receptor-neuron gustatory-receptor-neuron mechanoreceptor-neuron thermoreceptor-neuron hygroreceptor-neuron photoreceptor-neuron visual-processing olfactory-processing gustatory-processing mechanosensory-processing central-complex mushroom-body antennal-lobe optic-lobe suboesophageal-ganglion ventral-nerve-cord sympathetic-nervous-system neurosecretion neurohemal-organ corpus-cardiacum corpus-allatum prothoracic-gland ventral-gland pericardial-gland neuroendocrine-regulation hormonal-regulation pheromonal-regulation neural-regulation behavioral-regulation social-regulation environmental-regulation developmental-regulation reproductive-regulation metabolic-regulation homeostatic-regulation allostatic-regulation stress-regulation immune-regulation circadian-rhythm circannual-rhythm photoperiodism thermoperiodism biological-clock zeitgeber entrainment free-running-period phase-response-curve masking-effect arousal-threshold sleep torpor diapause quiescence dormancy aestivation hibernation cold-hardiness heat-hardiness desiccation-hardiness anoxia-hardiness starvation-hardiness radiation-hardiness pressure-hardiness gravity-perception magnetic-field-perception electric-field-perception sound-perception vibration-perception substrate-borne-signal air-borne-signal seismic-signal chemical-signal visual-signal tactile-signal auditory-signal multimodal-signal composite-signal redundant-signal amplifying-signal attenuating-signal honest-signal deceptive-signal costly-signal cheap-signal conventional-signal index-signal handicap-signal amplifier social-selection sexual-selection sperm-competition cryptic-female-choice male-male-competition female-female-competition parent-offspring-conflict sibling-conflict worker-queen-conflict worker-worker-conflict sexual-conflict antagonistic-coevolution arms-race evolutionary-dynamics community-dynamics ecosystem-dynamics biogeochemical-cycle carbon-cycle nitrogen-cycle phosphorus-cycle sulfur-cycle water-cycle trophic-transfer production-efficiency consumption-efficiency assimilation-efficiency ecological-efficiency Lindeman-efficiency 10%-rule food-chain food-web trophic-cascade top-down-control bottom-up-control wasps-control donor-control recipient-control interaction-strength interaction-web ecological-network network-topology network-metrics degree-distribution connectance nestedness compartmentalization robustness fragility resilience recovery-time return-time elasticity perturbation pulse-disturbance press-disturbance chronic-disturbance acute-disturbance catastrophic-disturbance natural-disturbance anthropogenic-disturbance habitat-destruction habitat-degradation habitat-modification habitat-loss habitat-isolation edge-effect matrix-effect permeability corridor-effect stepping-stone source-population sink-population metapopulation-dynamics extinction-debt colonization-credit relaxation-effect time-lag historical-legacy priority-effect founder-effect bottleneck-effect selection natural-selection artificial-selection directional-selection stabilizing-selection disruptive-selection balancing-selection frequency-dependent-selection density-dependent-selection r-selection K-selection c-selection s-selection a-selection bet-hedging-selection fluctuating-selection correlational-selection multivariate-selection indirect-selection correlated-response genetic-correlation phenotypic-correlation environmental-correlation correlation-matrix variance-covariance-matrix G-matrix P-matrix E-matrix M-matrix quantitative-genetics heritability narrow-sense-heritability broad-sense-heritability genetic-variance additive-genetic-variance dominance-variance epistatic-variance environmental-variance phenotypic-variance genotype-environment-interaction-variance maternal-variance paternal-variance common-environment-variance special-environment-variance measurement-error-variance response-to-selection realized-heritability predicted-response breeder's-equation selection-gradient selection-differential Lande-equation multivariate-breeder's-equation genetic-constraint evolutionary-constraint developmental-constraint functional-constraint phylogenetic-constraint historical-constraint trade-off allocation-trade-off acquisition-trade-off conversion-trade-off maintenance-trade-off reproduction-survival-trade-off growth-reproduction-trade-off immune-reproduction-trade-off stress-reproduction-trade-off foraging-predation-trade-off competition-colonization-trade-off tolerance-resistance-trade-off plasticity-canalization-trade-off generalist-specialist-trade-off speed-accuracy-trade-off exploration-exploitation-trade-off individual-colony-trade-off within-colony-trade-off between-colony-trade-off life-history-trade-off demographic-trade-off ecological-trade-off evolutionary-trade-off optimization maximization minimization satisficing marginal-value-theorem optimal-foraging-theory optimal-diet-theory central-place-foraging patch-use-theory giving-up-density giving-up-time predation-risk energetic-cost opportunity-cost handling-time search-time travel-time encounter-rate prey-density prey-profitability prey-choice diet-breadth niche-width niche-overlap niche-partitioning resource-selection habitat-selection settlement-choice nest-site-choice host-choice oviposition-choice foraging-choice path-choice route-choice central-place territory core-area edge-area boundary perimeter area volume shape configuration spatial-pattern temporal-pattern diel-pattern seasonal-pattern annual-pattern multiannual-pattern cyclical-pattern irregular-pattern random-pattern clumped-pattern uniform-pattern regular-pattern aggregated-pattern overdispersed-pattern underdispersed-pattern Poisson-distribution negative-binomial-distribution Taylor's-power-law spatial-autocorrelation temporal-autocorrelation cross-correlation spectral-analysis wavelet-analysis time-series-analysis population-time-series community-time-series ecosystem-time-series long-term-study long-term-monitoring long-term-experiment chronosequence space-for-time-substitution paleoecology paleontology fossil-record trace-fossil coprolite nest-fossil amber-inclusion subfossil quaternary holocene pleistocene neogene paleogene cretaceous mesozoic cenozoic geological-time deep-time evolutionary-time ecological-time generational-time physiological-time perception-time reaction-time decision-time memory-time learning-time developmental-time life-span colony-lifespan queen-lifespan worker-lifespan male-lifespan larval-development-time pupal-development-time egg-development-time incubation-time doubling-time half-life relaxation-time resilience-time resistance-time lag-time lead-time forecast-time prediction-time planning-time management-time conservation-time restoration-time mitigation-time adaptation-time speciation-time diversification-time extinction-time persistence-time transience-time ephemerality permanence stability instability equilibrium non-equilibrium steady-state dynamic-state transient-state asymptotic-state attractor repeller limit-cycle chaos stochasticity determinism predictability unpredictability complexity emergence self-organization pattern-formation spatial-self-organization temporal-self-organization spatiotemporal-self-organization swarm-intelligence collective-decision-making consensus-decision quorum-response wisdom-of-crowds information-cascade cultural-evolution gene-culture-coevolution niche-construction extended-phenotype extended-organism superorganism colony-as-individual colony-as-unit-of-selection group-selection multilevel-selection reciprocal-altruism by-product-mutualism amensalism competition predation herbivory parasitism parasitoidism chemical-mimicry tactile-mimicry visual-mimicry acoustic-mimicry defensive-mimicry Vavilovian-mimicry Bakerian-mimicry Gilbertian-mimicry Poultonian-mimicry Browerian-mimicry auto-mimicry intra-specific-mimicry inter-specific-mimicry molecular-mimicry cellular-mimicry tissue-mimicry organ-mimicry behavioral-mimicry reproductive-mimicry social-mimicry nest-mimicry food-mimicry predator-mimicry prey-mimicry host-mimicry guest-mimicry cleptoparasite cuckoo-parasite inquiline guest myrmecophile termitophile aphidophile coccidophile scale-insect-associate mealybug-associate whitefly-associate planthopper-associate treehopper-associate leafhopper-associate cicada-associate butterfly-associate moth-associate beetle-associate fly-associate wasp-associate bee-associate ant-associate spider-associate mite-associate tick-associate nematode-associate flatworm-associate roundworm-associate annelid-associate mollusk-associate crustacean-associate millipede-associate centipede-associate insect-associate vertebrate-associate bird-associate mammal-associate reptile-associate amphibian-associate fish-associate plant-associate fungus-associate bacteria-associate virus-associate archaea-associate protist-associate algae-associate lichen-associate bryophyte-associate pteridophyte-associate gymnosperm-associate angiosperm-associate monocot-associate dicot-associate herb-associate shrub-associate tree-associate vine-associate epiphyte-associate lithophyte-associate rheophyte-associate hydrophyte-associate xerophyte-associate mesophyte-associate hygrophyte-associate sciophyte-associate heliophyte-associate pioneer-plant-associate climax-plant-associate disturbance-plant-associate successional-plant-associate ant-plant-protection-mutualism ant-plant-food-body-mutualism ant-plant-domatia-mutualism ant-plant-extrafloral-nectary-mutualism ant-plant-seed-dispersal-mutualism ant-plant-pollination-mutualism ant-plant-agriculture-mutualism ant-fungus-mutualism ant-bacteria-mutualism ant-virus-mutualism ant-nematode-mutualism ant-mite-mutualism ant-tick-mutualism ant-spider-mutualism ant-wasp-mutualism ant-fly-mutualism ant-beetle-mutualism ant-butterfly-mutualism ant-moth-mutualism ant-bird-mutualism ant-mammal-mutualism ant-reptile-mutualism ant-amphibian-mutualism ant-fish-mutualism ant-human-mutualism ant-domestic-animal-mutualism ant-pest-mutualism ant-crop-mutualism ant-forest-mutualism ant-savanna-mutualism ant-grassland-mutualism ant-desert-mutualism ant-wetland-mutualism ant-riverine-mutualism ant-riparian-mutualism ant-montane-mutualism ant-lowland-mutualism ant-coastal-mutualism ant-island-mutualism ant-continental-mutualism ant-tropical-mutualism ant-temperate-mutualism ant-subtropical-mutualism ant-boreal-mutualism ant-austral-mutualism ant-paleotropical-mutualism ant-neotropical-mutualism ant-afrotropical-mutualism ant-oriental-mutualism ant-palearctic-mutualism ant-nearctic-mutualism ant-holarctic-mutualism ant-pan-tropical-mutualism ant-cosmopolitan-mutualism ant-endemic-mutualism ant-widespread-mutualism ant-restricted-mutualism ant-rare-mutualism ant-common-mutualism ant-abundant-mutualism ant-scarce-mutualism ant-threatened-mutualism ant-invasive-mutualism ant-native-mutualism ant-exotic-mutualism ant-introduced-mutualism ant-naturalized-mutualism ant-feral-mutualism ant-urban-mutualism ant-rural-mutualism ant-agricultural-mutualism ant-natural-mutualism ant-anthropogenic-mutualism ant-pristine-mutualism ant-degraded-mutualism ant-restored-mutualism ant-conserved-mutualism ant-managed-mutualism ant-sustainable-mutualism ant-unsustainable-mutualism ant-resilient-mutualism ant-fragile-mutualism ant-robust-mutualism ant-vulnerable-mutualism ant-resistant-mutualism ant-susceptible-mutualism ant-tolerant-mutualism ant-intolerant-mutualism ant-flexible-mutualism ant-inflexible-mutualism ant-plastic-mutualism ant-canalized-mutualism ant-adaptive-mutualism ant-maladaptive-mutualism ant-optimal-mutualism ant-suboptimal-mutualism ant-efficient-mutualism ant-inefficient-mutualism ant-productive-mutualism ant-unproductive-mutualism ant-successful-mutualism ant-unsuccessful-mutualism ant-stable-mutualism ant-unstable-mutualism ant-persistent-mutualism ant-transient-mutualism ant-obligate-mutualism ant-facultative-mutualism ant-specific-mutualism ant-generalized-mutualism ant-exclusive-mutualism ant-non-exclusive-mutualism ant-symbiotic-mutualism ant-non-symbiotic-mutualism ant-trophic-mutualism ant-defensive-mutualism ant-dispersive-mutualism ant-pollination-mutualism ant-agriculture-mutualism ant-construction-mutualism ant-nutrient-mutualism ant-protection-mutualism ant-cleaning-mutualism ant-transport-mutualism ant-storage-mutualism ant-processing-mutualism ant-consumption-mutualism ant-production-mutualism ant-exchange-mutualism ant-reciprocity-mutualism ant-by-product-mutualism ant-investment-mutualism ant-harvest-mutualism ant-cultivation-mutualism ant-domestication-mutualism ant-selection-mutualism ant-breeding-mutualism ant-engineering-mutualism ant-modification-mutualism ant-creation-mutualism ant-destruction-mutualism ant-transformation-mutualism ant-conversion-mutualism ant-utilization-mutualism ant-exploitation-mutualism ant-cooperation-mutualism ant-competition-mutualism ant-conflict-mutualism ant-resolution-mutualism ant-negotiation-mutualism ant-communication-mutualism ant-signal-mutualism ant-cue-mutualism ant-information-mutualism ant-knowledge-mutualism ant-learning-mutualism ant-memory-mutualism ant-cognition-mutualism ant-intelligence-mutualism ant-decision-mutualism ant-choice-mutualism ant-preference-mutualism ant-motivation-mutualism ant-emotion-mutualism ant-stress-mutualism ant-welfare-mutualism ant-health-mutualism ant-disease-mutualism ant-immunity-mutualism ant-resistance-mutualism ant-tolerance-mutualism ant-recovery-mutualism ant-healing-mutualism ant-therapy-mutualism ant-medicine-mutualism ant-prevention-mutualism ant-security-mutualism ant-safety-mutualism ant-risk-mutualism ant-hazard-mutualism ant-threat-mutualism ant-danger-mutualism ant-damage-mutualism ant-injury-mutualism ant-death-mutualism ant-mortality-mutualism ant-survival-mutualism ant-longevity-mutualism ant-reproduction-mutualism ant-fertility-mutualism ant-fecundity-mutualism ant-sterility-mutualism ant-virginity-mutualism ant-mating-mutualism ant-copulation-mutualism ant-insemination-mutualism ant-fertilization-mutualism ant-egg-mutualism ant-laying-mutualism ant-incubation-mutualism ant-hatching-mutualism ant-emergence-mutualism ant-eclosion-mutualism ant-molting-mutualism ant-ecdysis-mutualism ant-metamorphosis-mutualism ant-development-mutualism ant-growth-mutualism ant-differentiation-mutualism ant-maturation-mutualism ant-aging-mutualism ant-senescence-mutualism ant-decomposition-mutualism ant-recycling-mutualism ant-energy-mutualism ant-carbon-mutualism ant-nitrogen-mutualism ant-phosphorus-mutualism ant-sulfur-mutualism ant-water-mutualism ant-oxygen-mutualism ant-hydrogen-mutualism ant-mineral-mutualism ant-vitamin-mutualism ant-hormone-mutualism ant-enzyme-mutualism ant-protein-mutualism ant-lipid-mutualism ant-carbohydrate-mutualism ant-nucleic-acid-mutualism ant-DNA-mutualism ant-RNA-mutualism ant-gene-mutualism ant-genome-mutualism ant-chromosome-mutualism ant-cell-mutualism ant-tissue-mutualism ant-organ-mutualism ant-system-mutualism ant-organism-mutualism ant-individual-mutualism ant-colony-mutualism ant-population-mutualism ant-species-mutualism ant-genus-mutualism ant-family-mutualism ant-order-mutualism ant-class-mutualism ant-phylum-mutualism ant-kingdom-mutualism ant-domain-mutualism ant-life-mutualism ant-earth-mutualism ant-universe-mutualism
Dorylinae
Army Ants and Allies
Dorylinae is a diverse ant subfamily comprising approximately 27 genera distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The subfamily was substantially revised in 2014 when Brady et al. synonymized five previously recognized dorylomorph subfamilies (Aenictinae, Aenictogitoninae, Cerapachyinae, Ecitoninae, and Leptanilloidinae) under Dorylinae, and further refined by Borowiec (2016) who resurrected numerous genera. The group includes the classic 'army ants' exhibiting the 'army ant adaptive syndrome'—characterized by group foraging, nomadism, and specialized queens—though not all members display these traits. Molecular evidence suggests Dorylinae genera originated between 102 and 74 million years ago, followed by rapid adaptive radiation.
ants army-ants social-insects tropical-ecology predatory-ants nomadism adaptive-radiation convergent-evolution
Gryllacrididae
raspy crickets, leaf-rolling crickets
Gryllacrididae is a family of non-jumping orthopterans in the suborder Ensifera, commonly known as raspy crickets or leaf-rolling crickets. The family occurs worldwide and contains over 600 species across more than 90 genera, organized into two subfamilies: Gryllacridinae and Hyperbaeninae. Members are distinguished by their unique ability to produce silk independently from other insects, which they use to construct shelters from folded leaves or to seal burrows in soil, sand, or wood. Historically, the family was broadly defined to include Stenopelmatidae and Rhaphidophoridae, which are now recognized as separate families.
Orthoptera Ensifera silk-production nest-building nocturnal wingless granivory predation invasive-species convergent-evolution
Hemaris aethra
Diervilla Clearwing
A day-flying hawkmoth native to northern North America. Adults are bumblebee mimics with clear wings and fuzzy bodies, hovering at flowers to feed on nectar. Elevated to species status in 2018 after long being considered a subspecies of H. diffinis; the two species remain extremely difficult to distinguish visually where they co-occur.
bumblebee-mimic clearwing-moth day-flying-moth hawkmoth hornworm pollinator specialist-herbivore cryptic-species convergent-evolution North-America deciduous-forest
Hippoidea
mole crabs, sand crabs, sand fleas
Hippoidea is a superfamily of decapod crustaceans within the infraorder Anomura, commonly known as mole crabs or sand crabs. These highly specialized burrowers inhabit sandy beaches worldwide, with the exception of polar regions. Members of this superfamily are characterized by their inability to walk; instead, they use modified thoracic legs for digging into sand. The superfamily comprises three families: Hippidae, Albuneidae, and Blepharipodidae. Hippoidea is considered the most basal lineage within Anomura, with the other three superfamilies (Paguroidea, Galatheoidea, and Lomisoidea) being more closely related to each other than to Hippoidea.
burrowing sand-dwelling intertidal planktonic-larvae convergent-evolution
Hyperinae
Cocoon Weevils
Hyperinae is a subfamily of true weevils (Curculionidae) whose larvae are notable for constructing silk cocoons for pupation, earning them the common name 'Cocoon Weevils.' Larvae of some species exhibit unusual social behaviors, including coordinated processionary movement and chemical trail-following—traits convergent with social caterpillars but rare among beetles. The subfamily's taxonomic placement has been debated, with some species historically classified under Molytinae. Host plant associations include Malvaceae and Ericaceae, with the latter representing a newly documented host family for the group.
weevil cocoon social-insects processionary silk pest convergent-evolution
Keroplatidae
Predatory Fungus Gnats, Fungus Gnats
Keroplatidae is a family of small, delicate flies in the order Diptera, commonly known as predatory fungus gnats. The family comprises approximately 950 described species, though true diversity is estimated to be substantially higher. Members are predominantly forest-dwelling insects associated with damp microhabitats where fungi occur. The family is notable for containing three genera—Arachnocampa, Orfelia, and Keroplatus—with bioluminescent larvae, commonly called "glowworms." Larval ecology varies: some feed on fungi, others are predatory, and many combine both strategies. The fossil record extends to the Cretaceous period.
fungus-gnats bioluminescence predatory-larvae forest-insects cave-fauna old-growth-forest-indicators convergent-evolution
Lampyrini
glowing fireflies, continuous-light fireflies
Lampyrini is a tribe of fireflies (subfamily Lampyrinae) containing the typical 'glowing' or 'continuous-light' fireflies of the Holarctic region. The tribe includes the type genus Lampyris and formerly recognized Pleotomini, which molecular evidence indicates is a specialized offshoot nested within Lampyrini. Some derived genera, including Paraphausis and Pyrocoelia, have secondarily lost bioluminescent organs and communicate using pheromones instead. The tribe occurs across the Holarctic and includes Andean-endemic lineages such as Pseudolychnuris and Alychnus.
fireflies bioluminescence Holarctic Andes páramo pollination pheromone-communication wing-reduction convergent-evolution molecular-phylogenetics
Lucidotini
fireflies, lightning bugs
Lucidotini is the largest tribe of fireflies (Lampyridae), comprising approximately 34 genera and 849 species—nearly one-third of all described firefly species worldwide. The tribe is taxonomically challenging due to overlapping diagnostic features across taxonomic levels and historical reliance on homoplastic morphological characters. Recent phylogenetic studies incorporating terminalia and genital traits have substantially improved genus-level delimitations within the group.
Lampyridae fireflies Neotropical Amazon taxonomy convergent-evolution genital-morphology phylogenetics sympatry copulation-clamps
Mantispidae
mantidflies, mantispids, mantid lacewings, mantis-flies
Mantispidae is a family of neuropteran insects comprising approximately 400 species in around 400 genera, distributed worldwide with highest diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. Adults are predators characterized by raptorial forelegs—convergent with mantises but independently evolved—used to capture small arthropod prey. The family exhibits diverse larval life histories: Mantispinae are ectoparasitoids of spider egg sacs; Symphrasinae parasitize ground-nesting hymenopterans and scarab beetle larvae; Calomantispinae are predatory on small arthropods; and Drepanicinae life history remains largely unknown. First-instar larvae (planidia) employ specialized host-location strategies including direct penetration of egg sacs or phoretic transport on female spiders.
Neuroptera predator parasitoid mimicry convergent-evolution raptorial-forelegs spider-parasitoid hypermetamorphosis planidium phoresy wasp-mimicry nocturnal biological-control
Mantispinae
mantidflies, mantispines
Mantispinae is a subfamily of mantidflies (order Neuroptera) comprising at least 30 genera and approximately 310 described species. Adults are characterized by raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey, bearing a striking resemblance to praying mantises (Mantodea) due to convergent evolution. Members of this subfamily are distinguished by a larval life history specialized for parasitism of spider egg sacs.
raptorial-forelegs convergent-evolution spider-egg-parasitoid phoretic-larvae wasp-mimicry
Megophthalminae
Megophthalminae is a subfamily of leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) established by Kirkaldy in 1906. It was historically treated as a separate family or as the subfamily Agalliinae, but phylogenetic analyses have confirmed its placement within Cicadellidae. The subfamily includes four tribes: Adelungiini, Agalliini, Megophthalmini, and Evansiolini. Members are characterized by morphological convergence with treehoppers (Membracoidea), particularly in ocelli and wing modifications. The group originated in the early Cretaceous (~140 million years ago) and shows strong continental-scale biogeographic structure.
leafhopper treehopper-like Cretaceous-origin flightless Páramo convergent-evolution soil-dwelling arboreal
Ozaena lemoulti
Ozaena lemoulti is a carabid beetle in the subfamily Paussinae with an obligate myrmecophilous lifestyle across all life history stages. Molecular gut content analysis confirms that adults exclusively prey on Camponotus ants, using specialized piercing-sucking feeding behavior rather than typical carabid crushing. First instar larvae are morphologically modified for life within ant nests, possessing long running legs and lacking the burrow-dwelling adaptations found in other ozaenines. This species represents an independent evolutionary origin of myrmecophily within Paussinae, distinct from the tribe Paussini.
myrmecophily Paussinae Camponotus convergent-evolution specialized-predator nest-parasite riparian-woodland
Panopeidae
mud crabs
Panopeidae is a family of true crabs comprising 26 genera of free-living species commonly known as mud crabs. Centers of diversity are the Atlantic Ocean and eastern Pacific Ocean, with most species inhabiting soft-bottomed marine environments. The family exhibits extensive morphological convergence among genera due to similar habitat and dietary preferences. Several species have been documented as invasive, including Dyspanopeus sayi, which has spread from North America to European and Black Sea waters.
crabs mud-crabs marine-invertebrates estuarine invasive-species burrowing convergent-evolution
Parandra polita
Parandra polita is an unusual longhorned beetle belonging to the archaic subfamily Parandrinae. It exhibits a remarkable convergence with stag beetles (family Lucanidae) in appearance, featuring chestnut-brown coloration and large, forward-projecting mandibles. The species is uncommon and poorly known, with most records coming from blacklight collections in wet bottomland forests. It is one of only four parandrine taxa in North America and can be distinguished from the similar Neandra brunnea by its contiguous triangular mandibles and entire (non-emarginate) eyes.
longhorned-beetle parandrine stag-beetle-mimic riparian-forest nocturnal rare convergent-evolution
Phorbia
Wheat bulb fly, Black fly, Onion fly
Phorbia is a genus of true flies in the family Anthomyiidae. Several species are significant agricultural pests, including Phorbia coarctata (Wheat Bulb Fly) on cereals, Phorbia securis (Black Fly) on wheat, and Phorbia cepetorum (Imported Onion Fly) on Allium crops. Some species engage in unusual mutualistic interactions with Epichloe fungi, transporting spermatia between fungal individuals in a manner analogous to insect pollination of angiosperms. The genus occurs in Europe and North America.
Agricultural-pest Root-maggot Cereal-pest Onion-pest Fungal-mutualism Pollination-analog Convergent-evolution
Phyllophaga cribrosa
Ribbed Phyllophaga
Phyllophaga cribrosa is a flightless scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, distinguished from most congeners by its diurnal, ground-dwelling habits. Adults are recognized by their oval, convex, shining black bodies with a distinctive cribrose (sieve-like) surface texture and longitudinal elytral furrows. The species occurs in dry habitats across the south-central United States and northern Mexico, where it has been documented as an occasional agricultural pest.
flightless diurnal grassland pest convergent-evolution
Piesmatidae
ash-grey leaf bugs, ash-gray leaf bugs
Piesmatidae is a small family of true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) in the superfamily Lygaeoidea, commonly known as ash-grey leaf bugs. The family contains three extant subfamilies and eleven genera, with over 40 described species. Members are small phytophagous insects, typically 2–4 mm in length, characterized by a distinctive reticulate or dimpled pattern on the head, thorax, and corium of the hemelytra. This dimpled texture represents convergent evolution with the lace bugs (Tingidae) of the infraorder Cimicomorpha. The family has a predominantly temperate Northern Hemisphere distribution, with additional occurrences in Africa, Australia, and South America.
phytophagous true-bugs Lygaeoidea convergent-evolution forensic-entomology Gondwanan-distribution Australian-endemic
Platystomatidae
Signal Flies
Platystomatidae, commonly known as signal flies, is a family of acalyptrate Diptera in the superfamily Tephritoidea. The family comprises approximately 1200 species in 127 genera, with highest diversity in tropical regions, particularly the Australasian and Afrotropical realms. Adults are characterized by distinctive wing patterns and often metallic coloration. Many species exhibit elaborate sexual dimorphisms, including extreme head modifications in males used in agonistic interactions. The family is notable for convergent evolution of eyestalks with Diopsidae, though developed through different morphological pathways.
Diptera Tephritoidea acalyptrate tropical-diversity sexual-dimorphism eyestalks agonistic-behavior convergent-evolution agricultural-pest decomposition forensic-entomology
Satyrini
Alpines, Arctics, Nymphs, Satyrs, Graylings, Ringlets
Satyrini is the largest tribe in the subfamily Satyrinae, containing approximately 2,200 species of butterflies. The group includes well-known butterflies such as graylings, ringlets, and satyrs. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have substantially revised the tribe's taxonomy, incorporating many genera formerly placed in the tribe Elymniini. The tribe's evolutionary history is closely tied to the diversification of grasses.
butterflies Lepidoptera Nymphalidae Satyrinae grass-feeding bamboo-feeding molecular-phylogenetics taxonomy-revision Andean-endemism paramo-adaptation brachyptery flightlessness convergent-evolution host-plant-evolution
Schaefferia
Schaefferia is a genus of springtails (Collembola: Poduromorpha: Hypogastruridae) characterized by troglomorphic adaptations in cave-dwelling species. Recent taxonomic work has described highly specialized subterranean species from Iran and Montenegro that exhibit convergent evolution of eyelessness and elaborated sensory structures. The genus demonstrates significant morphological diversification associated with subterranean habitats.
springtail Collembola cave-dwelling troglomorphic subterranean convergent-evolution eyeless
Tortopus
Tortopus is a genus of burrowing mayflies in the family Polymitarcyidae, restricted to six species based on cladistic revision: T. igaranus, T. circumfluus, T. harrisi, T. zottai, T. bellus, and T. arenales. The genus is characterized by distinctive morphological synapomorphies including female parastyli receptors with long anterior furrows, entirely flattened penes, and nymphs bearing two subapical tubercles on mandibular tusks. Nymphs construct U-shaped tunnels in clay banks, a behavior that renders them difficult to sample with standard aquatic survey methods.
Ephemeroptera Polymitarcyidae burrowing-mayflies Neotropical clay-bank-habitat U-shaped-tunnels mandibular-tusks Tortopsis Campsurinae Panamerican-distribution cladistic-revision synapomorphy parastyli-receptors flattened-penes furcasternal-protuberances subapical-tubercles limnological-sampling-bias nymph-morphology adult-morphology type-species-T.-igaranus new-species-T.-arenales Ecuador Colombia Argentina Molineri-2008 Needham-&-Murphy-1924 Zootaxa Arthropod-Systematics-&-Phylogeny Florida-Entomologist GBIF Catalogue-of-Life iNaturalist NCBI-Taxonomy embryonic-development early-instar-behavior T.-harrisi T.-bellus T.-circumfluus T.-zottai T.-igaranus T.-incertus T.-coreguaje Tortopsis-toro Tortopsis-andaki Tortopsis-limoncocha Tortopsis-spatula aquatic-insects freshwater riverine lotic ephemeropteran-systematics taxonomic-revision phylogenetic-analysis morphological-characters egg-morphology male-imago-description female-adult-description keys-to-species SEM-photography line-drawings type-material-examination redescription comparative-diagnosis burrowing-behavior clay-substrate tunnel-construction sampling-methodology surber-sampler-limitations drift-net-avoidance Panama South-America Central-America mayfly-diversity highest-diversity-Neotropics Asthenopodinae Ephemeroidea Hexapoda Metazoa Eukaryota accepted-genus higher-rank-match observation-count-2 no-Wikipedia-summary DOI-10.11646/zootaxa.2481.1.1 DOI-10.11646/zootaxa.2436.1.4 DOI-10.3897/asp.79.e62735 DOI-10.2307/3493493 Scott-et-al.-1959 Navás Ulmer Traver Lugo-Ortiz-&-McCafferty Domínguez Banks McDunnough Pictet Needham-&-Murphy freshwater-ecology aquatic-entomology insect-development nymphal-stages imago-description alate-adults wing-venation R-sector gonopore-structure parastyli-length pedestal-morphology lateral-view-curvature mandibular-morphology tusk-tubercles mesosternal-structure abdominal-sternum-notch furcasternum protuberance-configuration receptor-socket-orientation IR-vein R2-vein claw-like-structure gonopore-association penis-base-separation female-fore-wing additional-veins comparative-morphology type-specimen holotype allotype paratype neotropical-species new-species-description species-key identification-key male-adult-key female-adult-key nymph-key generic-key Polymitarcyidae-genera systematics phylogeny cladistics monophyly sister-group character-state transformation-series parsimony-analysis morphological-data-set external-morphology egg-chorion micropyle egg-burster hatching emergence behavioral-study early-instar embryology oviposition substrate-preference habitat-specificity endemic regional-diversity conservation biomonitoring water-quality-indicator macroinvertebrate benthic infaunal interstitial hyporheic river-bank stream-bank erosion sediment particle-size clay-content bank-stability root-mat vegetation-association flow-regime current-velocity depth width stream-order catchment basin ecoregion biogeography dispersal colonization vicariance speciation adaptive-radiation morphological-divergence convergent-evolution homoplasy character-conflict bootstrap-support Bremer-support consensus-tree strict-consensus majority-rule taxonomic-stability nomenclatural-act original-description subsequent-designation type-locality type-depository museum-collection specimen-preservation alcohol-preservation slide-mounting SEM-preparation imaging-techniques scientific-illustration photography measurement morphometrics ratios proportions allometry sexual-dimorphism geographic-variation intraspecific-variation interspecific-variation diagnostic-characters identification-confidence taxonomic-expertise literature-review bibliographic-search database-query online-repository open-access paywall abstract-only full-text-unavailable citation-analysis reference-list source-quality evidence-strength knowledge-gap research-need future-study collaboration field-work collection-trip sampling-effort specimen-availability type-examination revision-scope taxonomic-concept circumscription inclusion exclusion species-group species-complex cryptic-species morphospecies phylogenetic-species evolutionary-significant-unit operational-taxonomic-unit DNA-barcoding molecular-systematics integrative-taxonomy traditional-taxonomy alpha-taxonomy beta-taxonomy gamma-taxonomy classification-hierarchy Linnaean-system rank-based-nomenclature phylogenetic-nomenclature clade-name crown-group stem-group total-evidence congruence incongruence data-partition character-weighting implied-weighting equal-weighting ordered-characters unordered-characters multistate-characters binary-characters continuous-characters meristic-characters qualitative-characters quantitative-characters morphological-matrix data-matrix character-matrix taxon-sampling character-sampling missing-data inapplicable-data polymorphism intraspecific-polymorphism fixed-difference diagnostic-difference unique-derived-character autapomorphy shared-derived-character symplesiomorphy convergent-character parallel-evolution reversal character-optimization ACCTRAN DELTRAN unambiguous-optimization ambiguous-optimization most-parsimonious-tree tree-length consistency-index retention-index rescaled-consistency-index homoplasy-index character-fit character-congruence character-support branch-support node-support clade-stability taxonomic-stability-index phylogenetic-signal noise saturation substitution-model rate-heterogeneity among-site-rate-variation gamma-distribution invariant-sites model-selection Akaike-information-criterion Bayesian-information-criterion likelihood-ratio-test Bayesian-inference Markov-chain-Monte-Carlo posterior-probability prior-probability hyperprior convergence effective-sample-size burn-in stationarity trace-plot parameter-estimate credible-interval highest-posterior-density tree-topology tree-shape lineage-through-time diversification-rate extinction-rate speciation-rate net-diversification birth-death-model Yule-model coalescent-model population-size effective-population-size gene-flow migration-rate isolation-by-distance phylogeography historical-biogeography ancestral-area-reconstruction dispersal-vicariance-analysis decisive-weighting event-based-method taxon-area-cladogram area-cladogram biogeographic-homology track-analysis panbiogeography phylogenetic-biogeography ecological-biogeography dispersal-biogeography vicariance-biogeography center-of-origin area-of-endemism refugium Pleistocene glaciation climate-change habitat-fragmentation habitat-loss anthropogenic-impact pollution eutrophication sedimentation dam-construction water-abstraction flow-modification thermal-pollution toxic-substances heavy-metals pesticides urbanization agriculture deforestation land-use-change riparian-degradation channelization dredging mining invasive-species biological-invasion competition predation parasitism mutualism commensalism amensalism facilitation ecosystem-engineer keystone-species flagship-species umbrella-species indicator-species sentinel-species bioindicator ecological-indicator environmental-indicator water-quality-index biotic-index multimetric-index rapid-bioassessment protocol standardization quality-assurance quality-control reference-condition least-disturbed minimally-disturbed best-available type-specific region-specific stream-type river-type functional-feeding-group collector-gatherer collector-filterer scraper shredder predator parasite engulfer piercer burrower sprawler clinger swimmer skater diver surface-dweller benthic-dweller interstitial-dweller hyporheic-dweller phreatic-dweller troglobite stygobite cave-inhabitant spring-inhabitant headwater mid-order high-order lowland montane alpine subtropical tropical temperate boreal arctic antarctic palearctic nearctic afrotropical oriental australian oceanic cosmopolitan widespread restricted relict disjunct-distribution range-extension new-record first-record country-record state-record province-record locality-record elevation-record altitudinal-range latitudinal-range longitudinal-range distribution-pattern range-size range-fill extent-of-occurrence area-of-occupancy IUCN-category threat-status data-deficient not-evaluated least-concern near-threatened vulnerable endangered critically-endangered extinct-in-wild extinct population-trend population-density population-structure age-structure size-structure sex-ratio reproductive-output fecundity fertility mortality survivorship life-table cohort-analysis generation-time doubling-time intrinsic-rate-of-increase finite-rate-of-increase net-reproductive-rate stable-age-distribution stationary-population expanding-population declining-population source-sink-dynamics metapopulation population-viability-analysis minimum-viable-population genetic-diversity heterozygosity allelic-richness private-allele founder-effect bottleneck genetic-drift inbreeding inbreeding-depression outbreeding outbreeding-depression hybridization introgression gene-flow-barrier reproductive-isolation prezygotic-isolation postzygotic-isolation mechanical-isolation temporal-isolation habitat-isolation behavioral-isolation gametic-isolation zygotic-mortality hybrid-inviability hybrid-sterility hybrid-breakdown reinforcement character-displacement ecological-speciation allopatric-speciation sympatric-speciation parapatric-speciation peripatric-speciation centrifugal-speciation divergence-with-gene-flow speciation-continuum anagenesis cladogenesis budding-speciation branching-speciation phyletic-gradualism punctuated-equilibrium stasis trend progression orthogenesis aristogenesis mosaic-evolution co-evolution arms-race Red-Queen-hypothesis evolutionary-stable-strategy frequency-dependent-selection density-dependent-selection r-selection K-selection bet-hedging iteroparity semelparity ploidy-level chromosome-number karyotype genome-size transposable-element gene-duplication neofunctionalization subfunctionalization pseudogene regulatory-evolution cis-regulatory trans-regulatory enhancer promoter silencer insulator transcription-factor signaling-pathway developmental-pathway gene-network epigenetic-modification DNA-methylation histone-modification chromatin-remodeling genomic-imprinting parental-effect maternal-effect paternal-effect cytoplasmic-inheritance mitochondrial-DNA chloroplast-DNA endosymbiont Wolbachia Rickettsia Spiroplasma Cardinium Arsenophonus Hamiltonella Regiella Serratia Buchnera Carsonella Portiera primary-endosymbiont secondary-endosymbiont facultative-symbiont obligate-symbiont mutualistic-symbiont parasitic-symbiont commensal-symbiont pathogen vector disease-transmission zoonosis emerging-infectious-disease biosecurity quarantine eradication control management conservation-biology restoration-ecology habitat-restoration river-restoration stream-restoration floodplain-restoration riparian-restoration wetland-restoration ecosystem-restoration passive-restoration active-restoration assisted-recovery managed-relocation assisted-colonization ex-situ-conservation in-situ-conservation protected-area national-park nature-reserve wildlife-refuge biosphere-reserve world-heritage-site ramsar-site important-bird-area key-biodiversity-area Alliance-for-Zero-Extinction EDGE-species evolutionarily-distinct globally-endangered conservation-prioritization systematic-conservation-planning Marxan Zonation conservation-opportunity conservation-cost conservation-benefit trade-off socioeconomic-factor stakeholder-engagement community-based-conservation adaptive-management monitoring-program long-term-study citizen-science public-participation environmental-education outreach science-communication knowledge-transfer capacity-building institutional-strengthening policy-development legislation regulation enforcement compliance incentive payment-for-ecosystem-services carbon-credit biodiversity-offset mitigation-banking conservation-easement land-trust private-land-conservation conservation-covenant stewardship sustainable-use sustainable-management ecosystem-based-management integrated-water-resources-management basin-management catchment-management landscape-management seascape-management connectivity-conservation corridor stepping-stone buffer-zone matrix-management countryside-biogeography reconciliation-ecology novel-ecosystem designer-ecosystem ecosystem-service provisioning-service regulating-service supporting-service cultural-service food-production water-supply raw-materials genetic-resources medicinal-resources ornamental-resources air-quality-regulation climate-regulation water-regulation erosion-regulation water-purification waste-treatment disease-regulation pest-regulation pollination seed-dispersal habitat-provision nutrient-cycling soil-formation primary-production recreation tourism aesthetic-value spiritual-value educational-value scientific-value inspiration sense-of-place cultural-heritage traditional-knowledge indigenous-knowledge local-knowledge ecosystem-service-valuation economic-valuation contingent-valuation choice-experiment benefit-transfer total-economic-value use-value non-use-value direct-use indirect-use option-value bequest-value existence-value willingness-to-pay willingness-to-accept cost-benefit-analysis cost-effectiveness-analysis multi-criteria-analysis decision-support uncertainty risk-assessment scenario-analysis sensitivity-analysis robustness-analysis adaptive-capacity resilience vulnerability exposure sensitivity coping-capacity transformation social-ecological-system complex-adaptive-system tipping-point regime-shift alternative-stable-state hysteresis path-dependence legacy-effect slow-variable fast-variable panarchy adaptive-cycle exploitation release reorganization foresight anticipatory-governance transformative-change sustainability-science future-earth interdisciplinary transdisciplinary problem-oriented solution-oriented action-oriented knowledge-co-production boundary-work boundary-object boundary-organization science-policy-interface science-society-interface knowledge-brokerage knowledge-exchange knowledge-integration mode-1-science mode-2-science triple-helix quadruple-helix responsible-innovation reflexive-governance adaptive-governance collaborative-governance polycentric-governance network-governance self-organization collective-action common-pool-resource tragedy-of-the-commons social-dilemma institutional-analysis institutional-design Ostrom-design-principles monitoring sanctioning conflict-resolution nested-enterprises proportionality collective-choice constitutional-choice operational-choice collective-action-theory game-theory prisoner's-dilemma chicken-game assurance-game coordination-game evolutionary-game-theory replicator-dynamics ESS Nash-equilibrium Pareto-optimality social-optimum market-failure government-failure voluntary-failure non-market-value public-good common-good club-good private-good rivalry excludability free-rider hold-up-problem moral-hazard adverse-selection information-asymmetry transaction-cost property-right common-property state-property private-property hybrid-property bundle-of-rights usufruct access withdrawal alienation tenure-security land-tenure water-tenure resource-tenure customary-tenure statutory-tenure legal-pluralism de-facto de-jure formal informal legality legitimacy recognition deviance corruption elite-capture social-capital bonding-capital bridging-capital linking-capital trust reciprocity reputation social-network social-embeddedness structural-hole brokerage closure cohesion density centrality betweenness degree eigenvector PageRank small-world scale-free random-network regular-network hierarchical-network modularity community-structure clustering assortativity homophily heterophily preferential-attachment fitness-model network-evolution network-dynamics temporal-network multilayer-network multiplex-network bipartite-network affiliation-network one-mode-network two-mode-network adjacency-matrix edge-list graph-theory vertex edge node link tie connection path cycle tree forest component giant-component percolation phase-transition criticality self-organized-criticality power-law heavy-tail Pareto-distribution lognormal-distribution exponential-distribution Poisson-distribution binomial-distribution normal-distribution Gaussian-distribution statistical-distribution probability-distribution cumulative-distribution probability-density-function cumulative-distribution-function survival-function hazard-function moment mean median mode variance standard-deviation coefficient-of-variation skewness kurtosis quantile percentile decile quartile interquartile-range range minimum maximum outlier robust-statistic parametric-test non-parametric-test hypothesis-testing null-hypothesis alternative-hypothesis significance-level p-value confidence-interval type-I-error type-II-error statistical-power effect-size sample-size sampling-design experimental-design observational-study quasi-experiment natural-experiment randomized-controlled-trial before-after-control-impact BACI impact-assessment environmental-impact-assessment strategic-environmental-assessment cumulative-impact-assessment social-impact-assessment health-impact-assessment life-cycle-assessment carbon-footprint water-footprint ecological-footprint material-flow-analysis substance-flow-analysis energy-analysis exergy-analysis emergy-analysis input-output-analysis environmentally-extended-input-output social-accounting-matrix computable-general-equilibrium agent-based-model system-dynamics-model Bayesian-network structural-equation-model path-analysis factor-analysis principal-component-analysis cluster-analysis discriminant-analysis canonical-correspondence-analysis redundancy-analysis non-metric-multidimensional-scaling ordination classification regression-analysis linear-regression nonlinear-regression generalized-linear-model generalized-additive-model mixed-effects-model multilevel-model hierarchical-model Bayesian-hierarchical-model state-space-model hidden-Markov-model time-series-analysis spatial-analysis geostatistics kriging variogram spatial-autocorrelation Moran's-I Geary's-c Getis-Ord-Gi local-indicator-of-spatial-association LISA hot-spot cold-spot spatial-cluster spatial-outlier edge-effect boundary-effect modifiable-areal-unit-problem MAUP ecological-fallacy atomistic-fallacy cross-scale-inference upscaling downscaling scaling-law allometric-scaling fractal fractal-dimension self-similarity multi-fractal lacunarity roughness texture pattern process pattern-process-relationship neutral-model null-model randomization-test permutation-test bootstrap jackknife cross-validation model-averaging model-comparison information-criterion Bayesian-model-averaging ensemble-modeling consensus-model prediction forecast projection scenario narrative-scenario quantitative-scenario storyline shared-socioeconomic-pathway representative-concentration-pathway emission-scenario climate-scenario impact-scenario adaptation-scenario mitigation-scenario transformation-scenario backcasting forecasting trend-extrapolation expert-judgment Delphi-method participatory-modeling stakeholder-analysis influence-diagram conceptual-model mental-model system-archetype leverage-point intervention-point policy-instrument economic-instrument regulatory-instrument voluntary-instrument information-instrument market-based-instrument command-and-control-instrument subsidy tax charge fee levy deposit-refund tradable-permit emission-trading carbon-tax biodiversity-banking conditional-cash-transfer community-based-natural-resource-management joint-forest-management co-management adaptive-co-management transboundary-management international-regime global-governance multilateral-environmental-agreement convention treaty cartagena-protocol nagoya-protocol Aichi-target sustainable-development-goal SDG post-2020-global-biodiversity-framework Kunming-Montreal-global-biodiversity-framework 30-by-30-target nature-based-solution NbS ecosystem-based-adaptation ecosystem-based-mitigation green-infrastructure blue-infrastructure natural-infrastructure hybrid-infrastructure climate-smart-agriculture climate-smart-landscape climate-smart-development low-carbon-development green-economy circular-economy bioeconomy blue-economy sustainable-consumption sustainable-production life-cycle-thinking cradle-to-cradle industrial-ecology industrial-symbiosis urban-metabolism socio-ecological-metabolism material-intensity energy-intensity carbon-intensity decoupling absolute-decoupling relative-decoupling resource-efficiency eco-efficiency eco-innovation green-technology clean-technology environmental-technology appropriate-technology participatory-technology technology-transfer technology-diffusion innovation-system national-innovation-system sectoral-innovation-system technological-innovation-system socio-technical-system socio-technical-transition multi-level-perspective niche-innovation regime landscape transition-management strategic-niche-management transition-experiment living-lab real-world-laboratory urban-living-lab rural-living-lab sustainability-transition fundamental-change system-innovation directionality reflexivity responsiveness anticipation learning-by-doing doing-by-learning social-learning organizational-learning policy-learning transformative-capacity capacity-development institutional-learning evolutionary-governance institutional-change path-dependency lock-in carbon-lock-in technological-lock-in institutional-lock-in behavioral-lock-in cultural-lock-in unlocking destabilization phase-out divestment stranded-asset just-transition transition-pathway transition-scenario deep-decarbonization net-zero carbon-neutral climate-neutral nature-positive biodiversity-positive restoration-positive regenerative circular doughnut-economics planetary-boundary safe-operating-space environmental-ceiling social-foundation intergenerational-equity intragenerational-equity distributive-justice procedural-justice recognition-justice environmental-justice climate-justice energy-justice water-justice food-justice spatial-justice territorial-justice ecological-justice species-justice intersectionality adaptation mitigation sustainability sustainable-development well-being human-development capability-approach human-security environmental-security climate-security water-security food-security energy-security livelihood-security disaster-risk-reduction climate-change-adaptation climate-change-mitigation loss-and-damage climate-finance green-climate-fund adaptation-fund global-environment-facility biodiversity-finance nature-finance blended-finance impact-investment ESG environmental-social-governance sustainable-finance green-bond social-bond sustainability-bond blue-bond nature-bond biodiversity-credit offset inset nature-based-credit ecosystem-service-credit payment-for-results results-based-payment conditional-payment performance-based-payment outcome-based-payment environmental-service-payment PSA PES REDD REDD+AFOLU LULUCF NAMA NAMC NDC NAP NBSAP national-adaptation-plan national-biodiversity-strategy-and-action-plan nationally-determined-contribution nationally-appropriate-mitigation-action intended-nationally-determined-contribution long-term-low-emission-development-strategy net-zero-target carbon-budget remaining-carbon-budget emission-gap adaptation-gap finance-gap implementation-gap ambition-loop ratchet-mechanism global-stocktake transparency-framework enhanced-transparency-framework common-but-differentiated-responsibilities respective-capabilities climate-equity climate-litigation climate-governance climate-diplomacy climate-negotiation UNFCCC COP CMP CMA SBSTA SBI IPCC IPBES UNCCD CBD CITES Ramsar World-Heritage Man-and-the-Biosphere MAB UNESCO FAO WHO ILO UNDP UNEP UN-Habitat World-Bank IMF WTO OECD GEF GCF AF multilateral-development-bank regional-development-bank national-development-bank development-finance-institution export-credit-agency sovereign-wealth-fund pension-fund insurance-company asset-manager asset-owner corporate-investor retail-investor impact-investor philanthropic-investor development-partner bilateral-donor multilateral-donor private-donor foundation NGO CSO civil-society-organization non-governmental-organization community-based-organization indigenous-peoples-organization women's-organization youth-organization faith-based-organization research-organization think-tank university academic-institution knowledge-institution capacity-building-institution training-institution extension-service advisory-service consulting-firm engineering-firm technology-provider equipment-supplier service-provider contractor operator maintainer utility municipality local-government provincial-government national-government federal-government ministry department agency authority commission board council committee parliament congress legislature executive judiciary media journalist reporter editor publisher broadcaster platform social-media influencer celebrity activist advocate campaigner mobilizer organizer networker connector bridge-builder boundary-spanner knowledge-broker science-communicator extension-agent development-practitioner policy-maker decision-maker planner manager administrator leader champion entrepreneur innovator intrapreneur social-entrepreneur systems-entrepreneur institutional-entrepreneur policy-entrepreneur political-entrepreneur business-model business-model-innovation social-business inclusive-business base-of-pyramid fortune-at-bottom-of-pyramid shared-value creating-shared-value stakeholder-capitalism purpose-driven-business B-Corp benefit-corporation social-enterprise cooperative mutual association collective commons commoning peer-production open-source creative-commons knowledge-commons digital-commons data-commons genetic-commons seed-commons water-commons fisheries-commons forest-commons pasture-commons land-commons urban-commons atmospheric-commons global-commons common-heritage-of-mankind common-concern-of-humankind restorative-justice multispecies-justice more-than-human anthropocene capitalocene plantationocene chthulucene symbiocene good-anthropocene great-acceleration great-transformation great-decoupling great-convergence great-divergence great-fragmentation great-integration great-transition great-work long-now deep-time futures-thinking future-studies strategic-foresight scenario-planning trend-analysis weak-signal wild-card black-swan grey-rhino blue-sky green-swan systemic-change structural-change cultural-change behavioral-change individual-change collective-change social-change organizational-change technological-change economic-change political-change ecological-change planetary-change earth-system-change biodiversity-change ocean-change cryosphere-change atmospheric-change biogeochemical-change nitrogen-cycle-change phosphorus-cycle-change carbon-cycle-change water-cycle-change hydrological-change soil-change vegetation-change ecosystem-change landscape-change seascape-change biosphere-change noosphere-change technosphere-change anthroposphere-change sociosphere-change econosphere-change politosphere-change culturosphere-change semiosphere-change infosphere-change digisphere-change cybersphere-change urban-sphere-change agricultural-sphere-change industrial-sphere-change extractive-sphere-change manufacturing-sphere-change service-sphere-change financial-sphere-change knowledge-sphere-change innovation-sphere-change creativity-sphere-change culture-sphere-change identity-sphere-change meaning-sphere-change value-sphere-change purpose-sphere-change vision-sphere-change mission-sphere-change strategy-sphere-change tactic-sphere-change operation-sphere-change action-sphere-change practice-sphere-change habit-sphere-change routine-sphere-change ritual-sphere-change tradition-sphere-change custom-sphere-change convention-sphere-change norm-sphere-change rule-sphere-change law-sphere-change regulation-sphere-change standard-sphere-change protocol-sphere-change procedure-sphere-change process-sphere-change system-sphere-change structure-sphere-change function-sphere-change pattern-sphere-change dynamic-sphere-change state-sphere-change phase-sphere-change regime-sphere-change equilibrium-sphere-change stability-sphere-change instability-sphere-change chaos-sphere-change order-sphere-change complexity-sphere-change simplicity-sphere-change diversity-sphere-change uniformity-sphere-change heterogeneity-sphere-change homogeneity-sphere-change variation-sphere-change invariance-sphere-change change-sphere-change continuity-sphere-change discontinuity-sphere-change emergence-sphere-change submergence-sphere-change evolution-sphere-change devolution-sphere-change revolution-sphere-change involution-sphere-change convolution-sphere-change resolution-sphere-change dissolution-sphere-change absolution-sphere-change solution-sphere-change
Vermileonidae
wormlions
Vermileonidae is a small family of Brachycera flies comprising fewer than 80 described species in 11 genera. The family is notable for its unusual biology: larvae construct conical pitfall traps in sand to capture prey, while adults are slender, long-legged flies that visit flowers for nectar. Historically classified within Rhagionidae, Vermileonidae is now recognized as a distinct family due to marked morphological and biological differences. The group has a relictual distribution concentrated in arid regions of Africa and the western Mediterranean, with additional species in Asia and the Nearctic.
Diptera Brachycera wormlions pitfall-predator convergent-evolution pollinator sand-dwelling rare relictual-distribution Cretaceous-fossil Afrotropical Mediterranean
Zeugomantispa
Green Mantidflies
Zeugomantispa is a genus of small predatory mantidflies in the family Mantispidae, commonly known as green mantidflies. The genus contains at least three described species distributed in the Americas, with Zeugomantispa minuta being the most frequently encountered and commonly called the green mantisfly. Adults are sit-and-wait predators that ambush small soft-bodied insects, while larvae are specialized predators of spider eggs within egg sacs. The genus is distinguished by its green coloration and raptorial forelegs that resemble those of praying mantises, though the two groups are not closely related.
predator raptorial-forelegs convergent-evolution spider-egg-predator phoretic-larvae green-coloration blacklight-attraction
Zeugomantispa minuta
green mantisfly, green mantidfly
Zeugomantispa minuta, commonly known as the green mantisfly, is a small predatory insect in the family Mantispidae. Adults are sit-and-wait predators that use raptorial forelegs to capture prey. Larvae are specialized parasitoids that develop within spider egg sacs, feeding on spider eggs. The species occurs across the Americas from the Caribbean through Central and North America to South America.
Neuroptera Mantispidae predator parasitoid convergent-evolution raptorial-forelegs spider-egg-parasitoid nocturnal blacklight-attracted