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Calixto ES, de Oliveira Pimenta IC, Lange D, Marquis RJ, Torezan-Silingardi HM, Del-Claro K. Emerging Trends in Ant-Pollinator Conflict in Extrafloral Nectary-Bearing Plants. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:651. [PMID: 38475497 DOI: 10.3390/plants13050651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
The net outcomes of mutualisms are mediated by the trade-offs between the costs and benefits provided by both partners. Our review proposes the existence of a trade-off in ant protection mutualisms between the benefits generated by the ants' protection against the attack of herbivores and the losses caused by the disruption of pollination processes, which are commonly not quantified. This trade-off has important implications for understanding the evolution of extrafloral nectaries (EFNs), an adaptation that has repeatedly evolved throughout the flowering plant clade. We propose that the outcome of this trade-off is contingent on the specific traits of the organisms involved. We provide evidence that the protective mutualisms between ants and plants mediated by EFNs have optimal protective ant partners, represented by the optimum point of the balance between positive effects on plant protection and negative effects on pollination process. Our review also provides important details about a potential synergism of EFN functionality; that is, these structures can attract ants to protect against herbivores and/or distract them from flowers so as not to disrupt pollination processes. Finally, we argue that generalizations regarding how ants impact plants should be made with caution since ants' effects on plants vary with the identity of the ant species in their overall net outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Denise Lange
- Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology-Parana, Campus Santa Helena, Santa Helena, Curitiba 80230-901, PR, Brazil
| | - Robert J Marquis
- Department of Biology and the Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center, University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO 63121, USA
| | - Helena Maura Torezan-Silingardi
- Postgraduation Program in Entomology, Department of Biology, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil
- Institute of Biology, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38405-240, MG, Brazil
| | - Kleber Del-Claro
- Postgraduation Program in Entomology, Department of Biology, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil
- Institute of Biology, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38405-240, MG, Brazil
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2
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Sanches MM, Guesdon IR, Alves Meira RMS. Diversity and functional roles of floral glands in Malpighiaceae: insights in Lophopterys floribunda W.R. Anderson & C. Davis. PROTOPLASMA 2023; 260:1555-1567. [PMID: 37338645 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-023-01871-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Lophopterys floribunda is a Neotropical species of Malpighiaceae endemic to Brazil, occurring in both the Amazon and Atlantic Forest. Instead of the typical bi-glandular sepals reported for Neotropical Malpighiaceae, this species presents a single, large gland on the lateral sepals. In addition, ant patrolling was observed at the apex of bracts and bracteoles during fieldwork. Thus, this work aimed to describe the sepalar gland of L. floribunda and other secretory structures in its flowers and inflorescence. Samples of bracts, bracteoles, sepals, petals, and anther were collected and submitted to usual anatomical techniques. Unexpected nectaries at the apex of bracts and bracteoles, not visible to the naked eye, were described and represent a new type of structure for the family due to both their position and size. Mutualistic ants consume the exudate produced by these tiny nectaries, and such structures enable a specific visitation pattern for Lophopterys. Typical epithelial elaiophores occur on the lateral sepals, formed by an invaginated epidermis, which predominantly produce lipid secretion. The petal marginal glands are anatomically similar to the standard type of colleter, which exude mucilaginous substances. The exudate produced by the petal marginal glands was considered to have an additional role of contributing to the maintenance of the closed bud during the beginning of development. The globose epidermal cells containing lipids, proteins, and polysaccharides observed in the connective may be responsible for the typical aroma emitted by these flowers. The diversity of secretory structures reported here has application in both systematic and ecological studies of Malpighiaceae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miller Melo Sanches
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Botânica, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P.H. Rolfs, S/N, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-000, Brazil
| | - Isabel Reis Guesdon
- Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Instituto de Ciências Exatas E Tecnologia, Campus de Itacoatiara, Itacoatiara-AM, CEP, 69103-128, Brazil
| | - Renata Maria Strozi Alves Meira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Botânica, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P.H. Rolfs, S/N, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-000, Brazil.
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Cardoso PB, Calixto ES, Torezan-Silingardi HM, Del-Claro K. Context-Dependent Ant-Pollinator Mutualism Impacts Fruit Set in a Hummingbird-Pollinated Plant. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3688. [PMID: 37960045 PMCID: PMC10650328 DOI: 10.3390/plants12213688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Context-dependence in mutualisms is a fundamental aspect of ecological interactions. Within plant-ant mutualisms, particularly in terms of biotic protection and pollination, research has predominantly focused on elucidating the benefits while largely overlooking potential costs. This notable gap underscores the need for investigations into the drawbacks and trade-offs associated with such mutualistic relationships. Here, we evaluated the role of pericarpial nectaries (PNs) in shaping the dynamics of ant-pollinator mutualisms. Specifically, we investigated whether ants visiting the PN of Palicourea rigida (Rubiaceae) could deter hummingbirds and disrupt pollination, ultimately influencing fruit production. Our research involved manipulative experiments and observation of ant-pollinator interactions on P. rigida plants in the Brazilian savannah. We found that visiting ants can deter hummingbirds and/or disrupt pollination in P. rigida, directly influencing fruit set. However, these results are species-specific. The presence of very aggressive, large predatory ants, such as E. tuberculatum, had a negative impact on hummingbird behavior, whereas aggressive mid-sized ants, such as C. crassus, showed no effects. Our study illuminates the multifaceted aspects of ant-plant mutualisms and underscores the importance of evaluating costs and unexpected outcomes within these ecological relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Bruno Cardoso
- Postgraduation Program in Entomology, Department of Biology, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil (H.M.T.-S.)
| | - Eduardo Soares Calixto
- Postgraduation Program in Entomology, Department of Biology, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil (H.M.T.-S.)
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Jay, FL 32583, USA
| | - Helena Maura Torezan-Silingardi
- Postgraduation Program in Entomology, Department of Biology, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil (H.M.T.-S.)
- Institute of Biology, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlandia 38405-302, MG, Brazil
| | - Kleber Del-Claro
- Postgraduation Program in Entomology, Department of Biology, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil (H.M.T.-S.)
- Institute of Biology, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlandia 38405-302, MG, Brazil
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4
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Porto GF, Pezzonia JH, Del-Claro K. Extrafloral Nectary-Bearing Plants Recover Ant Association Benefits Faster and More Effectively after Frost-Fire Events Than Frost. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3592. [PMID: 37896055 PMCID: PMC10610396 DOI: 10.3390/plants12203592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
The Cerrado confronts threats such as fire and frost due to natural or human-induced factors. These disturbances trigger attribute changes that impact biodiversity. Given escalating climate extremes, understanding the effects of these phenomena on ecological relationships is crucial for biodiversity conservation. To understand how fire and frost affect interactions and influence biological communities in the Cerrado, our study aimed to comprehend the effects of these two disturbances on extrafloral nectar (EFN)-bearing plants (Ouratea spectabilis, Ochnaceae) and their interactions. Our main hypothesis was that plants affected by fire would grow again more quickly than those affected only by frost due to the better adaptation of Cerrado flora to fire. The results showed that fire accelerated the regrowth of O. spectabilis. Regrowth in plants with EFNs attracted ants that proved to be efficient in removing herbivores, significantly reducing foliar herbivory rates in this species, when compared to the species without EFNs, or when ant access was prevented through experimental manipulation. Post-disturbance ant and herbivore populations were low, with frost leading to greater reductions. Ant richness and diversity are higher where frost precedes fire, suggesting that fire restores Cerrado ecological interactions better than frost, with less impact on plants, ants, and herbivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Fraga Porto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Vegetal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade de Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38400-902, MG, Brazil;
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto—FFCLRP, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil;
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e de Interações, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38400-902, MG, Brazil
| | - José Henrique Pezzonia
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto—FFCLRP, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil;
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e de Interações, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38400-902, MG, Brazil
| | - Kleber Del-Claro
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e de Interações, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38400-902, MG, Brazil
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Moura RF, Del-Claro K. Plants with extrafloral nectaries share indirect defenses and shape the local arboreal ant community. Oecologia 2023; 201:73-82. [PMID: 36372829 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-022-05286-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Associational resistance (AR) is a positive interaction in which a plant suffers less herbivore damage due to its association with a protective plant. Here, we evaluated whether plants with extra-floral nectaries (EFNs) can share indirect defenses with neighboring plants. We sampled 45 individuals of an EFN-bearing liana (Smilax polyantha) and recorded whether their support species had EFNs. In S. polyantha, we measured foliar herbivory and flower and fruit production. We examined the ant species composition and visitation of S. polyantha and whether they changed according to the supporting plant type (with or without EFNs). We experimentally determined whether S. polyantha supplemented with artificial nectaries could share indirect defenses with defenseless neighboring plants. Support plants with EFNs indirectly benefited S. polyantha by sharing mutualistic ant species. Smilax polyantha supported by plants with EFNs had a more specific ant species composition, a higher number of visiting ants and ant species richness, and exhibited nearly 3 times less foliar herbivory. However, we did not observe differences in fruit production between the two groups of S. polyantha. Finally, we observed that S. polyantha with artificial nectaries increased ant visitation on neighboring plants 2.5 times. We provide evidence that interspecific neighbors with EFNs can experience reciprocal benefits by sharing indirect defenses. Such local effects might escalate and affect the structure of plant communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renan Fernandes Moura
- Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Dead Sea and Arava Science Center, Masada, Israel.
- Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel.
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Domingos SS, Alves Silva E. Effect of ants on herbivory levels of Inga laurina: the interplay between space and time in an urban area. JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1017/s0266467423000044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Extrafloral nectary plants not only occur in natural areas but also in urban parks. These areas are prone to edge effects, and plants face different microenvironmental conditions. We investigated the spatial variation of ant–plant interactions in an urban park, and we examined if plants with ants would show lower herbivory levels and if it depended on habitat type (interior or edges). Seedlings of Inga laurina were set in 200-m long transects (which covered both the west and east edges, and the interior) in an urban park and then experimentally assigned to be either ant-present or ant-excluded plants. Leaf herbivory was investigated throughout the wet season and was influenced by the interaction effect between ants and habitat type. Ants decreased the herbivory on the west edge, but on the east edge results were the opposite. The east edge had higher temperature and sunlight exposure in comparison to the other sites and was assumed to disrupt the stability of ant–plant interactions. In the interior of the fragment, herbivory depended on ant presence/absence and on the location of plants along the transect. Our study highlights how the outcomes of ant–plant interactions are spatially conditioned and affected by different types of habitats.
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Mendes‐Silva I, Queiroga D, Calixto ES, Torezan‐Silingardi HM, Del‐Claro K. Ineffectiveness of ants in protecting two sympatric myrmecophilous plants against endophytic beetles. AUSTRAL ECOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Isamara Mendes‐Silva
- Universidade de São Paulo Ribeirão Preto Brazil
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e de Interações (LECI) Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia Brazil
| | - Drielly Queiroga
- Universidade de São Paulo Ribeirão Preto Brazil
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e de Interações (LECI) Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia Brazil
| | - Eduardo Soares Calixto
- Universidade de São Paulo Ribeirão Preto Brazil
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e de Interações (LECI) Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia Brazil
| | - Helena Maura Torezan‐Silingardi
- Universidade de São Paulo Ribeirão Preto Brazil
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e de Interações (LECI) Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia Brazil
| | - Kleber Del‐Claro
- Universidade de São Paulo Ribeirão Preto Brazil
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e de Interações (LECI) Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia Brazil
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8
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Temporal variation in the effect of ants on the fitness of myrmecophilic plants: seasonal effect surpasses periodic benefits. Naturwissenschaften 2022; 109:36. [PMID: 35763172 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-022-01805-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Plants provide extrafloral nectar, which is a food resource taken by ants, especially aggressive species that may act as plant guards. To our knowledge, no study has been conducted to concurrently investigate the fluctuation of plant fitness over its whole reproductive season, recording and comparing both short periods (different samplings during the plant's reproductive season) and the season/pooled data (all fruits produced during the reproductive season). Here, by assigning plants to either ant-present or absent treatments, we investigated the influence of the protective foliage-dwelling ant, Camponotus crassus, on the flower bud and fruit production of four extrafloral nectaried plants (Ancistrotropis firmula, Bionia coriacea, Cochlospermum regium, and Peixotoa tomentosa) throughout their annual reproductive season. Periodic samples in the field revealed a large variation in plant reproduction throughout the season; the increases in buds and fruits were not constantly higher in plants with ants, and in fact, plants without ants had more reproductive structures sometimes. Nonetheless, the examination of the pooled data, i.e., cumulative number of flower buds and fruits produced during the reproductive season, revealed the plants with ants produced more flower buds and fruits (e.g., up to two-fold greater in A. firmula) compared to ant-absent treatments. Our results indicate the effects of ants on plant reproduction are not constant over time, but the net benefits to plants with ants are reflected in increased fruit production. Therefore, the investigations of the benefit of ants on plants should consider the whole plant's reproductive season rather than single samplings within plant reproduction period.
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Pareja M, Rezende L. Direct and indirect plant defenses reduce damage by a generalist but not by a specialist pod borer. Biotropica 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martín Pareja
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia Universidade Estadual de Campinas –UNICAMP Campinas Brazil
| | - Luiz Rezende
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia Universidade Estadual de Campinas –UNICAMP Campinas Brazil
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Yamawo A, Suzuki N, Tagawa J. Species diversity and biological trait function: Effectiveness of ant–plant mutualism decreases as ant species diversity increases. Funct Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Akira Yamawo
- Department of Applied Biological Sciences Faculty of Agriculture Saga University Saga Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Suzuki
- Department of Applied Biological Sciences Faculty of Agriculture Saga University Saga Japan
| | - Jun Tagawa
- Department of Biosphere–Geosphere System Science Faculty of Informatics Okayama University of Science Okayama Japan
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Vasconcelos HL, Koch EBA, Camarota F, Tito R, Zuanon LA, Maravalhas J. Severe fires alter the outcome of the mutualism between ants and a Neotropical savanna tree. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
AbstractPhysical disturbances, such as fire, may affect the relationship between ants and plants. We evaluated the extent to which severe fires alter the protective effect of ants against the herbivores of an extrafloral-nectary bearing tree. We performed an ant removal experiment and sampled the ant fauna from the same trees over 4 years: the pre-fire year, the fire-year, and again 1 and 2 years later. Ants reduced insect herbivory in the pre-fire year and in the fire-year but failed to provide any plant protection in the two years after fire. The magnitude of the ant effect on herbivory did not differ between the pre-fire year and the fire-year. Fire reduced the abundance of ants with strictly arboreal-nesting habits. However, in the fire year (but not in the subsequent ones), this decline was compensated by an increase in the abundance of arboreal generalists and ground-nesting ants foraging in trees. Our results indicate that severe fires can affect the strength and direction of the ant effects on herbivory by altering the structure of the arboreal ant community and the abundance of insect herbivores. Fire disturbance is thus an important factor of conditionality of ant-plant mutualisms in fire-prone habitats, like the Cerrado savannas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heraldo L Vasconcelos
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, CEP, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Elmo B A Koch
- Laboratório de Mirmecologia, Centro de Pesquisas do Cacau–Comissão Executiva Plano da Lavoura Cacaueira, CEP, Ilhéus-BA, Brazil
| | - Flávio Camarota
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, CEP, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Richard Tito
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Naturaleza, Territorio y Energías Renovables, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Peru
| | - Lino A Zuanon
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, CEP, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Jonas Maravalhas
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, CEP, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
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Novaes LR, Calixto ES, Oliveira MLD, Alves-de-Lima L, Almeida OD, Torezan-Silingardi HM. Environmental variables drive phenological events of anemocoric plants and enhance diaspore dispersal potential: A new wind-based approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 730:139039. [PMID: 32388377 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Phenological studies of Brazilian savanna vegetation have described a generalized phenological pattern for all species, mainly based on rainfall and temperature. Few studies have considered wind as an explanatory factor; abiotic factors may impact differently on phenophases, and one phenophase may influence the performance of another. Thus, we aim to describe the phenological patterns of five anemocoric plant species (Aspidosperma tomentosum, Dalbergia miscolobium, Kielmeyera coriacea, Peixotoa tomentosa and Qualea multiflora) in the face of different climatic conditions, mainly evaluating the effects of wind on the ripe diaspore. We addressed three main questions: (1) What is the phenological behavior of each of these five anemocoric species in a seasonal environment? (2) Which climatic variables best explain each phenophase? (3) Does the dispersal of ripe diaspores peak shortly after deciduousness? We found that (i) our focal species showed similar phenological patterns, except for the floral bud and flower phenophases of two species (A. tomentosum and P. tomentosa), and the young fruit phase; (ii) each abiotic variable has a specific level of influence for each phenophase, but the most important variables were rainfall and wind speed; and (iii) the dispersal peak of ripe diaspores occurred shortly after deciduousness, and when plants had fewer leaves. We conclude that the phenological patterns of these five anemocoric plants are similar, but that the patterns observed are not necessarily those described for Cerrado species. Additionally, we found that wind is an important factor in the expression of specific phenophases, and that the performance of some phenological events can be influenced by others, especially diaspore dispersal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Rodrigues Novaes
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais. Instituto de Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Soares Calixto
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Entomologia. Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos Lima de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais. Instituto de Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Larissa Alves-de-Lima
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais. Instituto de Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Odenir de Almeida
- Centro de Pesquisa em Aerodinâmica Experimental, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Helena Maura Torezan-Silingardi
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais. Instituto de Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
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13
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Monteiro GF, Macedo-Reis LE, Dáttilo W, Fernandes GW, Siqueira de Castro F, Neves FS. Ecological interactions among insect herbivores, ants and the host plantBaccharis dracunculifoliain a Brazilian mountain ecosystem. AUSTRAL ECOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Graziella França Monteiro
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos; Departament of Genética; Ecologia e Evolução; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; CEP31270-901 Belo Horizonte Brazil
- Ecologia Evolutiva & Biodiversidade; Departament of Biologia Geral; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Uso dos Recursos Naturais; Departament of Biologia Geral/CCBS; Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros; Montes Claros Brazil
| | - Luiz Eduardo Macedo-Reis
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos; Departament of Genética; Ecologia e Evolução; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; CEP31270-901 Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | - Wesley Dáttilo
- Red de Ecoetología; Instituto de Ecología, A.C.; Xalapa Mexico
| | - Geraldo Wilson Fernandes
- Ecologia Evolutiva & Biodiversidade; Departament of Biologia Geral; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Uso dos Recursos Naturais; Departament of Biologia Geral/CCBS; Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros; Montes Claros Brazil
| | - Flavio Siqueira de Castro
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos; Departament of Genética; Ecologia e Evolução; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; CEP31270-901 Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | - Frederico S. Neves
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos; Departament of Genética; Ecologia e Evolução; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; CEP31270-901 Belo Horizonte Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Uso dos Recursos Naturais; Departament of Biologia Geral/CCBS; Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros; Montes Claros Brazil
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14
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Lange D, Calixto ES, Rosa BB, Sales TA, Del-Claro K. Natural history and ecology of foraging of the Camponotus crassus Mayr, 1862 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). J NAT HIST 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2019.1660430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Denise Lange
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Campus Santa Helena, Santa Helena, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Soares Calixto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Bianca Bonami Rosa
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e de Interações, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Tiago Amaral Sales
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e de Interações, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Kleber Del-Claro
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e de Interações, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
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15
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Pacelhe FT, Costa FV, Neves FS, Bronstein J, Mello MAR. Nectar quality affects ant aggressiveness and biotic defense provided to plants. Biotropica 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fábio T. Pacelhe
- Graduate School in Ecology, Conservation and Wildlife Management; Federal University of Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | - Fernanda V. Costa
- Graduate School in Ecology of Tropical Biomes; Federal University of Ouro Preto; Ouro Preto Brazil
| | - Frederico S. Neves
- Graduate School in Ecology, Conservation and Wildlife Management; Federal University of Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte Brazil
- Department of Biological Sciences; George Washington University; Washington District of Columbia
| | - Judith Bronstein
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of Arizona; Tucson Arizona
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16
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Fagundes R, Lange D, Anjos DV, Paixão de Lima F, Nahas L, Corro EJ, Gomes Silva PB, Del-Claro K, Ribeiro SP, Dáttilo W. Limited effects of fire disturbances on the species diversity and structure of ant-plant interaction networks in Brazilian Cerrado. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Melati BG, Leal LC. Aggressive bodyguards are not always the best: Preferential interaction with more aggressive ant species reduces reproductive success of plant bearing extrafloral nectaries. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199764. [PMID: 29949639 PMCID: PMC6021078 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Variation in partner species and frequency of interaction between species pairs are potential drivers of the net outcome of generalized mutualisms. In ant-plant mutualisms, the quality of defence provided by ants is related to ant aggressiveness. Hence, we hypothesize that the performance of plants bearing extrafloral nectaries will be higher when they interact more frequently with more aggressive ant species. We estimated ant aggressiveness in the field by observing their behaviour towards soil baits. Afterwards, we observed the frequency with which individuals from these ant species visited plants through an entire reproductive cycle. We measured the production and persistence of plants reproductive structures through this period and the total seed production. Increasing in the interaction frequency with highly aggressive ants reduced the number of floral buds and seeds produced. Increased visitation frequency by less aggressive ants increased the number of floral buds and seeds per branch. The inverse relationship between ant aggressiveness and seed production may be influenced by the costs imposed by different mutualistic partners. Thus, frequent interaction with highly aggressive ants may lead to a higher accumulation of costs through time, resulting in a negative net outcome for the plants. Our results bring new evidence highlighting the importance to incorporate temporal aspects in the study of mutualistic interactions. We suggests that the quality of mutualistic partners must be understood as a function of its per-interaction benefit and their cumulative costs to their partner over time, what puts in check our current classification regarding partner quality in mutualistic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Gabriel Melati
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Evolução, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Novo Horizonte, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Laura Carolina Leal
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Evolução, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Novo Horizonte, Bahia, Brazil
- Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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18
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Vilela AA, Del-Claro K. Effects of different ant species on the attendance of neighbouring hemipteran colonies and the outcomes for the host plant. J NAT HIST 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2018.1432774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andréa Andrade Vilela
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e Interações, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
| | - Kleber Del-Claro
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e Interações, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
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19
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Food source quality and ant dominance hierarchy influence the outcomes of ant-plant interactions in an arid environment. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Sanz-Veiga PA, Ré Jorge L, Benitez-Vieyra S, Amorim FW. Pericarpial nectary-visiting ants do not provide fruit protection against pre-dispersal seed predators regardless of ant species composition and resource availability. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188445. [PMID: 29211790 PMCID: PMC5718428 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Extrafloral nectaries can occur in both vegetative and reproductive plant structures. In many Rubiaceae species in the Brazilian Cerrado, after corolla abscission, the floral nectary continues to secret nectar throughout fruit development originating post-floral pericarpial nectaries which commonly attract many ant species. The occurrence of such nectar secreting structures might be strategic for fruit protection against seed predators, as plants are expected to invest higher on more valuable and vulnerable parts. Here, we performed ant exclusion experiments to investigate whether the interaction with ants mediated by the pericarpial nectaries of Tocoyena formosa affects plant reproductive success by reducing the number of pre-dispersal seed predators. We also assessed whether ant protection was dependent on ant species composition and resource availability. Although most of the plants were visited by large and aggressive ant species, such as Ectatomma tuberculatum and species of the genus Camponotus, ants did not protect fruits against seed predators. Furthermore, the result of the interaction was neither related to ant species composition nor to the availability of resources. We suggest that these results may be related to the nature and behavior of the most important seed predators, like Hemicolpus abdominalis weevil which the exoskeleton toughness prevent it from being predated by most ant species. On the other hand, not explored factors, such as reward quality, local ant abundance, ant colony characteristics and/or the presence of alternative energetic sources could also account for variations in ant frequency, composition, and finally ant protective effects, highlighting the conditionality of facultative plant-ant mutualisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Andre Sanz-Veiga
- Laboratório de Ecologia da Polinização e Interações–LEPI, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Botânica), Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail: (PASV); (FWA)
| | - Leonardo Ré Jorge
- Departamento de Biologia animal, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Santiago Benitez-Vieyra
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Ciudad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Felipe W. Amorim
- Laboratório de Ecologia da Polinização e Interações–LEPI, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Botânica), Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Ecologia da Polinização e Interações–LEPI, Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail: (PASV); (FWA)
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Bächtold A, Alves-Silva E, Del-Claro K. Ant-related oviposition is not associated to low parasitism of the myrmecophilous butterfly Allosmaitia strophius in an extrafloral nectaried shrub. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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22
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Fagundes R, Dáttilo W, Ribeiro SP, Rico-Gray V, Jordano P, Del-Claro K. Differences among ant species in plant protection are related to production of extrafloral nectar and degree of leaf herbivory. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blx059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R Fagundes
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afro-Brasileira, Acarape, Ceará, Brasil
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brasil
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - W Dáttilo
- Red de Ecoetologia, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - S P Ribeiro
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - V Rico-Gray
- Instituto de Neuroetologia, Univesidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - P Jordano
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, EDB-CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
| | - K Del-Claro
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brasil
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Lange D, Calixto ES, Del-Claro K. Variation in Extrafloral Nectary Productivity Influences the Ant Foraging. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169492. [PMID: 28046069 PMCID: PMC5207748 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Extrafloral nectar is the main food source offered by plants to predatory ants in most land environments. Although many studies have demonstrated the importance of extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) to plant defense against herbivores, the influence of EFNs secretory activity pattern on predatory ants remains yet not fully understood. Here, we verified the relation between the extrafloral nectar production of a plant community in Cerrado in different times of the day, and its attractiveness to ants. The extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) of seven plant species showed higher productivity overnight. Ant abundance was higher in times of large extrafloral nectar production, however, there was no positive relation between ant richness on plants and EFNs productivity. There was temporal resource partitioning among ant species, and it indicates strong resource competition. The nectar productivity varied among plant species and time of the day, and it influenced the visitation patterns of ants. Therefore, EFNs are a key ant-plant interaction driver in the studied system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Lange
- Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Campus Santa Helena, Santa Helena, PR, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Soares Calixto
- Pós-Graduação em Entomologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Kleber Del-Claro
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e de Interações (LECI), Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Anjos DV, Caserio B, Rezende FT, Ribeiro SP, Del-Claro K, Fagundes R. Extrafloral-nectaries and interspecific aggressiveness regulate day/night turnover of ant species foraging for nectar on Bionia coriacea. AUSTRAL ECOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Diego V. Anjos
- Departamento de Biodiversidade; Evolução e Meio Ambiente; Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto; Ouro Preto MG 35400-000 Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia; Universidade de São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto SP Brazil
| | - Bárbara Caserio
- Departamento de Biodiversidade; Evolução e Meio Ambiente; Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto; Ouro Preto MG 35400-000 Brazil
| | - Felipe T. Rezende
- Departamento de Biodiversidade; Evolução e Meio Ambiente; Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto; Ouro Preto MG 35400-000 Brazil
| | - Sérvio P. Ribeiro
- Departamento de Biodiversidade; Evolução e Meio Ambiente; Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto; Ouro Preto MG 35400-000 Brazil
| | - Kleber Del-Claro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia; Universidade de São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto SP Brazil
- Instituto de Biologia; Universidade Federal de Uberlândia; Uberlândia MG Brazil
| | - Roberth Fagundes
- Departamento de Biodiversidade; Evolução e Meio Ambiente; Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto; Ouro Preto MG 35400-000 Brazil
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Belchior C, Sendoya SF, Del-Claro K. Temporal Variation in the Abundance and Richness of Foliage-Dwelling Ants Mediated by Extrafloral Nectar. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0158283. [PMID: 27438722 PMCID: PMC4954677 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants bearing extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) are common in the Brazilian cerrado savanna, where climatic conditions having marked seasonality influence arboreal ant fauna organization. These ant-plant interactions have rarely been studied at community level. Here, we tested whether: 1) EFN-bearing plants are more visited by ants than EFN-lacking plants; 2) ant visitation is higher in the rainy season than in dry season; 3) plants producing young leaves are more visited than those lacking young leaves in the rainy season; 4) during the dry season, plants with old leaves and flowers are more visited than plants with young leaves and bare of leaves or flowers; 5) the composition of visiting ant fauna differs between plants with and without EFNs. Field work was done in a cerrado reserve near Uberlândia, MG State, Brazil, along ten transects (total area 3,000 m2), in the rainy (October-January) and dry seasons (April-July) of 2010–2011. Plants (72 species; 762 individuals) were checked three times per season for ant presence. Results showed that 21 species (29%) and 266 individuals (35%) possessed EFNs. These plants attracted 38 ant species (36 in rainy, 26 in dry season). In the rainy season, plants with EFNs had higher ant abundance/richness than plants without EFNs, but in the dry season, EFN presence did not influence ant visitation. Plant phenology affected ant richness and abundance in different ways: plants with young leaves possessed higher ant richness in the rainy season, but in the dry season ant abundance was higher on plants possessing old leaves or flowers. The species composition of plant-associated ant communities, however, did not differ between plants with and without EFNs in either season. These findings suggest that the effect of EFN presence on a community of plant-visiting ants is context dependent, being conditioned to seasonal variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceres Belchior
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia MG, Brazil
| | - Sebastián F. Sendoya
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, C.P. 6109, Campinas SP, Brazil
| | - Kleber Del-Claro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia MG, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Alves-Silva E, Del-Claro K. On the inability of ants to protect their plant partners and the effect of herbivores on different stages of plant reproduction. AUSTRAL ECOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Estevao Alves-Silva
- Institute of Biology; Federal University of Uberlândia; Ceará Str. 2D Building Umuarama Campus Uberlândia Minas Gerais 38400-902 Brazil
- Fachbereich Biologie; Technische Universität Darmstadt; Darmstadt Germany
| | - Kleber Del-Claro
- Institute of Biology; Federal University of Uberlândia; Ceará Str. 2D Building Umuarama Campus Uberlândia Minas Gerais 38400-902 Brazil
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