Parasitismo social, la dependencia social patológica, una forma de expresión de la patología disocial / Social Parasitism, pathological social dependence, a form of expression of dissocial pathology

El presente artículo procura establecer que el denominado Parasitismo Social corresponde a una conducta disocial, lo cual es el resultado de fenómenos temperamentales con implicancias biopsicosociales, y hace referencia a pacientes que presentan una forma de vida pasiva, explotadora y crónica a expensas de otros. Basados en el Modelo de la Psicoterapia Focalizada en la Transferencia (TFP), analizaremos cómo esta manifestación clínica refleja una patología grave del superyó y corresponde a conductas del espectro disocial, pues implica una forma de conducta crónica de explotación e irresponsabilidad significativa en relaciones interpersonales, caracterizado por una Pobreza del Investimento Objetal. Nos proponemos propiciar la búsqueda y evaluación dirigida de todo el espectro disocial de manera de promover su evaluación, diagnóstico, registro, considerar su pronóstico y plantear objetivos a corto y largo plazo cuando sean posibles. Esto podría impedir, disminuir o por lo menos advertir sobre los eventuales daños, no solo a los pacientes sino a sus familiares y personas o instituciones implicadas.

This article seeks to establish that the so-called Social Parasitism corresponds to a dissocial behavior, which is the result of temperamental phenomena with biopsychosocial implications and refers to patients who present a passive, exploitative, and chronic way of life at the expense of others. Based on the Transferred Focused Psychotherapy Model (TFP), we will analyze how this clinical manifestation reflects a severe pathology of the superego and corresponds to behaviors of the dissocial spectrum since it implies a form of chronic behavior of exploitation and significant irresponsibility in interpersonal relationships, characterized by the Poorness of the Objectal Investment. We propose to encourage the search and directed evaluation of the whole dissocial spectrum in a way to promote its evaluation, diagnostic, registration, consider its prognosis and establish short- and long-term objectives when possible. This could prevent, decrease, or at least warn about the eventual damages, not only to the patients but to their families and the people or institutions involved.

Oviposition of Minstrellus grandis (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) in a harmful ant-plant symbiosi

The oviposition behavior of the rare butterfly Minstrellus grandis (Callaghan, 1999) (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) is recorded for the first time. Two females laid eggs on the old leaves of an unidentified Triplaris sp. (Polygonaceae), a myrmecophytic plant typically known as 'Triplaria' or 'novice' tree, inhabited by aggressive 'taxi' ants of the genus Pseudomyrmex sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). These observations suggest that M. grandis caterpillars live associated with one of the most harmful types of Amazon ant-plant symbiosis. (AU)

Comparative reproductive biology of the social parasite Acromyrmex ameliae de Souza, Soares & Della Lucia and of its host Acromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Social parasites exhibit several characteristics that allow them to exploit their host species efficiently. The smaller size of parasite species is a trait commonly found in ants. In this work, we investigated several aspects of the reproductive biology of Acromyrmex ameliae De Souza, Soares & Della Lucia, a recently discovered parasite of Acromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus Forel. Sexuals of A. ameliae are substantially smaller than those from host species. Parasite queens laid significantly less worker eggs than host queens and inhibit sexual production of the host. The sex ratio of parasite species is highly female biased. Interestingly, we have observed parasite coupling on the laboratory, inside the nests and in the ground, opening the possibility to use controlled mating to study genetic approaches of parasitism in the ants.