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Ballego-Campos I, Forzza RC, Paiva ÉAS. Extranuptial nectaries in bromeliads: a new record for Pitcairnia burchellii and perspectives for Bromeliaceae. Naturwissenschaften 2022; 109:28. [DOI: 10.1007/s00114-022-01799-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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2
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Leroy C, Maes AQ, Louisanna E, Carrias J, Céréghino R, Corbara B, Séjalon‐Delmas N. Ants mediate community composition of root‐associated fungi in an ant‐plant mutualism. Biotropica 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Céline Leroy
- AMAP Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, IRD Montpellier France
- ECOFOG, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, Université de Guyane Université des Antilles Kourou France
| | | | - Eliane Louisanna
- ECOFOG, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, Université de Guyane Université des Antilles Kourou France
| | | | - Régis Céréghino
- Laboratoire Écologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, CNRS Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse 3 Toulouse France
| | - Bruno Corbara
- LMGE, CNRS Université Clermont Auvergne Clermont‐Ferrand France
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Ladino G, Ospina‐Bautista F, Estévez Varón J, Jerabkova L, Kratina P. Ecosystem services provided by bromeliad plants: A systematic review. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:7360-7372. [PMID: 31380056 PMCID: PMC6662323 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The unprecedented loss of biological diversity has negative impacts on ecosystems and the associated benefits which they provide to humans. Bromeliads have high diversity throughout the Neotropics, but they have been negatively affected by habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, invasive species, and commercialization for ornamental purpose. These plants provide direct benefits to the human society, and they also form microecosystems in which accumulated water and nutrients support the communities of aquatic and terrestrial species, thus maintaining local diversity. We performed a systematic review of the contribution of bromeliads to ecosystem services across their native geographical distribution. We showed that bromeliads provide a range of ecosystem services such as maintenance of biodiversity, community structure, nutrient cycling, and the provisioning of food and water. Moreover, bromeliads can regulate the spread of diseases, and water and carbon cycling, and they have the potential to become important sources of chemical and pharmaceutical products. The majority of this research was performed in Brazil, but future research from other Neotropical countries with a high diversity of bromeliads would fill the current knowledge gaps and increase the generality of these findings. This systematic review identified that future research should focus on provisioning, regulating, and cultural services that have been currently overlooked. This would enhance our understanding of how bromeliad diversity contributes to human welfare, and the negative consequences that loss of bromeliad plants can have on communities of other species and the healthy functioning of the entire ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldine Ladino
- Departamento de Ciencias BiológicasUniversidad de CaldasManizalesColombia
| | | | | | | | - Pavel Kratina
- School of Biological and Chemical SciencesQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
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Leroy C, Maes AQ, Louisanna E, Séjalon-Delmas N. How significant are endophytic fungi in bromeliad seeds and seedlings? Effects on germination, survival and performance of two epiphytic plant species. FUNGAL ECOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2019.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Dejean A, Compin A, Leponce M, Azémar F, Bonhomme C, Talaga S, Pelozuelo L, Hénaut Y, Corbara B. Ants impact the composition of the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities of a myrmecophytic tank bromeliad. C R Biol 2018; 341:200-207. [PMID: 29567468 DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 01/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
In an inundated Mexican forest, 89 out of 92 myrmecophytic tank bromeliads (Aechmea bracteata) housed an associated ant colony: 13 sheltered Azteca serica, 43 Dolichoderus bispinosus, and 33 Neoponera villosa. Ant presence has a positive impact on the diversity of the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities (n=30 bromeliads studied). A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that the presence and the species of ant are not correlated to bromeliad size, quantity of water, number of wells, filtered organic matter or incident radiation. The PCA and a generalized linear model showed that the presence of Azteca serica differed from the presence of the other two ant species or no ants in its effects on the aquatic invertebrate community (more predators). Therefore, both ant presence and species of ant affect the composition of the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in the tanks of A. bracteata, likely due to ant deposition of feces and other waste in these tanks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Dejean
- CNRS, UMR EcoFoG, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRA, université des Antilles, université de Guyane, 97310 Kourou, France; Ecolab, université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France.
| | - Arthur Compin
- Ecolab, université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Maurice Leponce
- Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecology, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, 29, rue Vautier, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Azémar
- Ecolab, université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Camille Bonhomme
- Ecolab, université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Stanislas Talaga
- Unité d'entomologie médicale, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, 23, avenue Pasteur, BP 6010, 97306 Cayenne cedex, France
| | - Laurent Pelozuelo
- Ecolab, université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Yann Hénaut
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Departamento de Conservaciòn de la Biodiversidad, Quintana Roo, Chetumal, Mexico
| | - Bruno Corbara
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, LMGE, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Dejean A, Petitclerc F, Azémar F, Pélozuelo L, Talaga S, Leponce M, Compin A. Aquatic life in Neotropical rainforest canopies: Techniques using artificial phytotelmata to study the invertebrate communities inhabiting therein. C R Biol 2017; 341:20-27. [PMID: 29198907 DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2017.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 10/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In Neotropical rainforest canopies, phytotelmata ("plant-held waters") shelter diverse aquatic macroinvertebrate communities, including vectors of animal diseases. Studying these communities is difficult because phytotelmata are widely dispersed, hard to find from the ground and often inaccessible. We propose here a method for placing in tree crowns "artificial phytotelmata" whose size and shape can be tailored to different research targets. The efficacy of this method was shown while comparing the patterns of community diversity of three forest formations. We noted a difference between a riparian forest and a rainforest, whereas trees alongside a dirt road cutting through that rainforest corresponded to a subset of the latter. Because rarefied species richness was significantly lower when the phytotelmata were left for three weeks rather than for six or nine weeks, we recommend leaving the phytotelmata for twelve weeks to permit predators and phoretic species to fully establish themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Dejean
- EcoLab, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Université de Toulouse, 31062 Toulouse, France; CNRS, UMR EcoFoG, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRA, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, 97310 Kourou, France.
| | - Frédéric Petitclerc
- CNRS, UMR EcoFoG, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRA, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, 97310 Kourou, France
| | - Frédéric Azémar
- EcoLab, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Université de Toulouse, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Laurent Pélozuelo
- EcoLab, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Université de Toulouse, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Stanislas Talaga
- Unité d'entomologie médicale, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, 23, avenue Pasteur, BP 6010, 97306 Cayenne cedex, France
| | - Maurice Leponce
- Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecology, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, 29, rue Vautier, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Arthur Compin
- EcoLab, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Université de Toulouse, 31062 Toulouse, France
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Leroy C, Jauneau A, Martinez Y, Cabin-Flaman A, Gibouin D, Orivel J, Séjalon-Delmas N. Exploring fungus-plant N transfer in a tripartite ant-plant-fungus mutualism. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2017; 120:417-426. [PMID: 28633407 PMCID: PMC5591417 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcx064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The plant Hirtella physophora, the ant Allomerus decemarticulatus and a fungus, Trimmatostroma sp., form a tripartite association. The ants manipulate both the plant trichomes and the fungus to build galleries under the stems of their host plant used to capture prey. In addition to its structural role, the fungus also improves nutrient uptake by the host plant. But it still remains unclear whether the fungus plays an indirect or a direct role in transferring nutrients to the plant. This study aimed to trace the transfer of N from the fungus to the plant's stem tissue. METHODS Optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to investigate the presence of fungal hyphae in the stem tissues. Then, a 15N-labelling experiment was combined with a nanoscale secondary-ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS 50) isotopic imaging approach to trace the movement of added 15N from the fungus to plant tissues. KEY RESULTS The TEM images clearly showed hyphae inside the stem tissue in the cellular compartment. Also, fungal hyphae were seen perforating the wall of the parenchyma cell. The 15N provisioning of the fungus in the galleries resulted in significant enrichment of the 15N signature of the plant's leaves 1 d after the 15N-labelling solution was deposited on the fungus-bearing trap. Finally, NanoSIMS imaging proved that nitrogen was transferred biotrophically from the fungus to the stem tissue. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that the fungi are connected endophytically to an ant-plant system and actively transfer nitrogen from 15N-labelling solution to the plant's stem tissues. Overall, this study underlines how complex the trophic structure of ant-plant interactions is due to the presence of the fungus and provides insight into the possibly important nutritional aspects and tradeoffs involved in myrmecophyte-ant mutualisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Leroy
- AMAP, IRD, CIRAD, CNRS, INRA, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- For correspondence. E-mail
| | - Alain Jauneau
- CNRS, FR3450 Fédération de Recherches Agrobiosciences Interactions et Biodiversité, Plateforme TRI d’imagerie cellulaire de Toulouse, 24 Chemin de Borde Rouge, B.p. 42 617 Auzeville, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Yves Martinez
- CNRS, FR3450 Fédération de Recherches Agrobiosciences Interactions et Biodiversité, Plateforme TRI d’imagerie cellulaire de Toulouse, 24 Chemin de Borde Rouge, B.p. 42 617 Auzeville, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Armelle Cabin-Flaman
- Equipe AMMIS, laboratoire MERCI EA 3829, UFR Science et Techniques, place Emile Blondel, 76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan cedex, France
| | - David Gibouin
- Equipe AMMIS, laboratoire MERCI EA 3829, UFR Science et Techniques, place Emile Blondel, 76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan cedex, France
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, Campus agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou cedex, France and
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8
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Leroy C, Petitclerc F, Orivel J, Corbara B, Carrias JF, Dejean A, Céréghino R. The influence of light, substrate and seed origin on the germination and establishment of an ant-garden bromeliad. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2017; 19:70-78. [PMID: 27004470 DOI: 10.1111/plb.12452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Plant germination and development depend upon a seed's successful dispersal into a suitable habitat and its ability to grow and survive within the surrounding biotic and abiotic environment. The seeds of Aechmea mertensii, a tank-bromeliad species, are dispersed by either Camponotus femoratus or Neoponera goeldii, two ant species that initiate ant gardens (AGs). These two mutualistic ant species influence the vegetative and reproductive traits of the bromeliad through their divergent ecological preferences (i.e. light and substrate). We hypothesised that the seeds dispersed by these two ant species have underlying genetic differences affecting germination, growth and survival of A. mertensii seedlings in different ways. To test this, we used an experimental approach consisting of sowing seeds of A. mertensii: (i) taken from the two AG-ant associations (i.e. seed origin), (ii) in two contrasting light conditions, and (iii) on three different substrates. Light and substrate had significant effects on germination, survival and on eight key leaf traits reflecting plant performance. Seed origin had a significant effect only on germination and on two leaf traits (total dry mass and relative growth rate). Overall, this bromeliad performs better (i.e. high growth and survival rates) when growing both in the shade and in the carton nest developed by C. femoratus ants. These results suggest that the plasticity of the tank bromeliad A. mertensii is mainly due to environment but also to genetic differences related to seed origin, as some traits are heritable. Thus, these two ant species may play contrasting roles in shaping plant evolution and speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Leroy
- IRD, UMR AMAP (botAnique et Modélisation de l'Architecture des Plantes et des végétations), Montpellier, France
| | - F Petitclerc
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles), Kourou, France
| | - J Orivel
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles), Kourou, France
| | - B Corbara
- Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- CNRS, UMR 6023, Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement, Aubière, France
| | - J-F Carrias
- Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- CNRS, UMR 6023, Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement, Aubière, France
| | - A Dejean
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles), Kourou, France
- Ecolab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, Toulouse, France
| | - R Céréghino
- Ecolab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, Toulouse, France
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Gonçalves AZ, Oliveira RS, Oliveira PS, Romero GQ. Species-Specific Effects of Ant Inhabitants on Bromeliad Nutrition. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152113. [PMID: 27002980 PMCID: PMC4803186 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Predator activities may lead to the accumulation of nutrients in specific areas of terrestrial habitats where they dispose of prey carcasses. In their feeding sites, predators may increase nutrient availability in the soil and favor plant nutrition and growth. However, the translocation of nutrients from one habitat to another may depend on predator identity and diet, as well as on the amount of prey intake. Here we used isotopic (15N) and physiological methods in greenhouse experiments to evaluate the effects of the identity of predatory ants (i.e., the consumption of prey and nest sites) on the nutrition and growth of the bromeliad Quesnelia arvensis. We showed that predatory ants with protein-based nutrition (i.e., Odontomachus hastatus, Gnamptogenys moelleri) improved the performance of their host bromeliads (i.e., increased foliar N, production of soluble proteins and growth). On the other hand, the contribution of Camponotus crassus for the nutritional status of bromeliads did not differ from bromeliads without ants, possibly because this ant does not have arthropod prey as a preferred food source. Our results show, for the first time, that predatory ants can translocate nutrients from one habitat to another within forests, accumulating nutrients in their feeding sites that become available to bromeliads. Additionally, we highlight that ant contribution to plant nutrition may depend on predator identity and its dietary requirements. Nest debris may be especially important for epiphytic and terrestrial bromeliads in nutrient-poor environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Z. Gonçalves
- Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), CP 6109, CEP 13083–970, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Rafael S. Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), CP 6109, CEP 13083–970, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paulo S. Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), CP 6109, CEP 13083–970, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Q. Romero
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), CP 6109, CEP 13083–970, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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Maciel JR, Louzada R, Alves M. Aechmea Ruiz & Pavón from the northern portion of the Atlantic Forest. RODRIGUÉSIA 2015. [DOI: 10.1590/2175-7860201566215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marccus Alves
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brasil; Senckenberg Naturmuseum, Germany
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Chanam J, Sheshshayee MS, Kasinathan S, Jagdeesh A, Joshi KA, Borges RM. Nutritional benefits from domatia inhabitants in an ant-plant interaction: interlopers do pay the rent. Funct Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joyshree Chanam
- Centre for Ecological Sciences; Indian Institute of Science; Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Madavalam Sreeman Sheshshayee
- Department of Crop Physiology; University of Agricultural Sciences; Gandhi Krishi Vignyan Kendra; Bangalore 560054, India
| | - Srinivasan Kasinathan
- Centre for Ecological Sciences; Indian Institute of Science; Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Amaraja Jagdeesh
- Centre for Ecological Sciences; Indian Institute of Science; Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Kanchan A. Joshi
- Centre for Ecological Sciences; Indian Institute of Science; Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Renee M. Borges
- Centre for Ecological Sciences; Indian Institute of Science; Bangalore 560012, India
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Leroy C, Carrias JF, Corbara B, Pélozuelo L, Dézerald O, Brouard O, Dejean A, Céréghino R. Mutualistic ants contribute to tank-bromeliad nutrition. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2013; 112:919-26. [PMID: 23864002 PMCID: PMC3747800 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mct147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2013] [Accepted: 05/03/2013] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Epiphytism imposes physiological constraints resulting from the lack of access to the nutrient sources available to ground-rooted plants. A conspicuous adaptation in response to that lack is the phytotelm (plant-held waters) of tank-bromeliad species that are often nutrient-rich. Associations with terrestrial invertebrates also result in higher plant nutrient acquisition. Assuming that tank-bromeliads rely on reservoir-assisted nutrition, it was hypothesized that the dual association with mutualistic ants and the phytotelm food web provides greater nutritional benefits to the plant compared with those bromeliads involved in only one of these two associations. METHODS Quantitative (water volume, amount of fine particulate organic matter, predator/prey ratio, algal density) and qualitative variables (ant-association and photosynthetic pathways) were compared for eight tank- and one tankless-bromeliad morphospecies from French Guiana. An analysis was also made of which of these variables affect nitrogen acquisition (leaf N and δ(15)N). KEY RESULTS All variables were significantly different between tank-bromeliad species. Leaf N concentrations and leaf δ(15)N were both positively correlated with the presence of mutualistic ants. The amount of fine particulate organic matter and predator/prey ratio had a positive and negative effect on leaf δ(15)N, respectively. Water volume was positively correlated with leaf N concentration whereas algal density was negatively correlated. Finally, the photosynthetic pathway (C3 vs. CAM) was positively correlated with leaf N concentration with a slightly higher N concentration for C3-Tillandsioideae compared with CAM-Bromelioideae. CONCLUSIONS The study suggests that some of the differences in N nutrition between bromeliad species can be explained by the presence of mutualistic ants. From a nutritional standpoint, it is more advantageous for a bromeliad to use myrmecotrophy via its roots than to use carnivory via its tank. The results highlight a gap in our knowledge of the reciprocal interactions between bromeliads and the various trophic levels (from bacteria to large metazoan predators) that intervene in reservoir-assisted nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Leroy
- IRD, UMR AMAP (botAnique et bioinforMatique de l'Architecture des Plantes), Boulevard de la Lironde, TA A-51/PS2, F-34398 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
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Zhou Y, Newman C, Xie Z, Macdonald DW. Peduncles elicit large-mammal endozoochory in a dry-fruited plant. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2013; 112:85-93. [PMID: 23644364 PMCID: PMC3690987 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mct096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2013] [Accepted: 03/22/2013] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Plants have evolved a variety of seed dispersal mechanisms to overcome lack of mobility. Many species embed seeds in fleshy pulp to elicit endozoochory, i.e. disseminating seed through the animal gut. In contrast to well-studied fleshy fruited plants, dry-fruited plants may exploit this dispersal mutualism by producing fleshy appendages as a nutritional reward to entice animals to swallow their diaspores, but this has been little studied. In this study, it is hypothesized that these accessory fruits represent co-adaptations facilitating the syndrome of mammalian endozoochorous dispersal. METHODS Field observations (focal tree watches, faecal surveys and fruiting phenology) with experimental manipulations (examination of seed germination and feeding trials) were conducted over 2 years in a native population of the raisin tree, Hovenia dulcis, which produces enlarged, twisted brown peduncles with external black seeds, in central China. KEY RESULTS Birds were not observed to swallow seeds or carry infructescences away during 190 h of focal tree watches. However, H. dulcis seeds were detected in 247 faecal samples, representative of two herbivore and four carnivore mammalian species. Feeding trials revealed that peduncles attracted mammals to consume the entire infructescence, thereby facilitating effective seed dispersal. The germination rate of egested seeds proved higher than that of unconsumed seeds. It was also noted that this mutualism was most vulnerable in degraded forest. CONCLUSIONS Hovenia dulcis peduncle sets are confirmed to adapt primarily to mammalian endozoochory, a mutualistic association similar in function to fleshy pulp or foliage. This demonstrates that plant organ systems can be adapted to unique mutualisms that utilize animal dispersal agents. Such an ecological role has until now been attributed only to bird epizoochory. Future studies should consider more widely the putative role of peduncle sets and mammalian endozoochory as a dispersal mechanism, particularly for those plants that possess relatively large accessory fruits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youbing Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing 100093, China
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Tubney, Abingdon OX13 5QL, UK
| | - Chris Newman
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Tubney, Abingdon OX13 5QL, UK
| | - Zongqiang Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing 100093, China
| | - David W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Tubney, Abingdon OX13 5QL, UK
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Blatrix R, Renard D, Djieto-Lordon C, McKey D. The cost of myrmecophytism: insights from allometry of stem secondary growth. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2012; 110:943-51. [PMID: 22875811 PMCID: PMC3448420 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcs164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2012] [Accepted: 05/24/2012] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Plant defence traits against herbivores incur production costs that are usually difficult to measure. However, estimating these costs is a prerequisite for characterizing the plant defence strategy as a whole. Myrmecophytes are plants that provide symbiotic ants with specialized nesting cavities, called domatia, in exchange for protection against herbivores. In the particular case of stem domatia, production of extra wood seems to be the only associated cost, making this indirect defence trait a particularly suitable model for estimating the cost of defence. METHODS Measurements were made of growth pattern and cumulative production cost of domatia over secondary growth in the myrmecophyte Leonardoxa africana subsp. africana, whose internodes display both a solid basal segment and a hollow distal part (the domatium), thus allowing paired comparison of investment in wood. KEY RESULTS Previous studies showed that 'overconstruction' of the hollow part of internodes during primary growth is needed for mechanical support. In this study, it is shown that the relationship between the woody cross-sectional area of the solid and hollow parts of internodes is negatively allometric at the beginning of secondary growth and nearly isometric later on. Thus, in hollow stems, the first phase of slow secondary growth compensates for the 'overconstruction' of the ring of wood during primary growth. Moreover, the cumulative production cost of a domatium (estimated as the additional volume of wood required for a hollow stem compared with a solid one) is very high at the beginning of secondary growth and then quickly tends to zero. CONCLUSIONS Making domatia incurs high costs early in ontogeny, costs that are then amortized later in development of stems and of individual plants. Characterizing ontogenetic variation of the net cost of this peculiar defence mechanism will help us build more accurate theoretical models of resource allocation in myrmecophytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rumsaïs Blatrix
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE), UMR 5175 (CNRS, Université Montpellier 2), Montpellier cedex, France.
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