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Rost-Komiya B, Smith MA, Rogy P, Srivastava DS. Do bromeliads affect the arboreal ant communities on orange trees in northwestern Costa Rica? PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271040. [PMID: 35793376 PMCID: PMC9258856 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ants often interact with other invertebrates as predators or mutualists. Epiphytic bromeliads provide nesting sites for ants, and could increase ant abundances in the tree canopy. We surveyed ants in the foliage of orange trees that either hosted bromeliads or did not. To determine if observed associations between bromeliads and tree ants were causal, we removed bromeliads from half of the trees, and resurveyed ants six weeks later. Our results show that bromeliad presence is correlated with higher ant abundances and different species of ants on orange trees during the dry season. This increase in ant abundance was driven primarily by Solenopsis ants, which were both numerous and found to facultatively nest in bromeliads. Bromeliad removal did not affect either ant abundance or composition, potentially because this manipulation coincided with the transition from dry to wet season. Other ant species were never encountered nesting in bromeliads, and the abundances of such ants on tree leaves were unaffected by bromeliad presence or removal. Considering the importance of ants in herbivore regulation, our findings suggest that bromeliads–through their association with ants–could indirectly be associated with biological control in agricultural systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Rost-Komiya
- Department of Zoology & Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - M. Alex Smith
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
| | - Pierre Rogy
- Department of Zoology & Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Diane S. Srivastava
- Department of Zoology & Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- * E-mail:
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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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3
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Sabagh LT, Neutzling AS, Rocha CF. Phytophagous consumption by frogs inhabiting bromeliads from Atlantic Forest. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2021.1936652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Leandro T. Sabagh
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexandre S. Neutzling
- Departamento de Ecologia, Zoologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Carlos F.D. Rocha
- Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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4
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Elizalde L, Arbetman M, Arnan X, Eggleton P, Leal IR, Lescano MN, Saez A, Werenkraut V, Pirk GI. The ecosystem services provided by social insects: traits, management tools and knowledge gaps. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:1418-1441. [PMID: 32525288 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Social insects, i.e. ants, bees, wasps and termites, are key components of ecological communities, and are important ecosystem services (ESs) providers. Here, we review the literature in order to (i) analyse the particular traits of social insects that make them good suppliers of ESs; (ii) compile and assess management strategies that improve the services provided by social insects; and (iii) detect gaps in our knowledge about the services that social insects provide. Social insects provide at least 10 ESs; however, many of them are poorly understood or valued. Relevant traits of social insects include high biomass and numerical abundance, a diversity of mutualistic associations, the ability to build important biogenic structures, versatile production of chemical defences, the simultaneous delivery of several ESs, the presence of castes and division of labour, efficient communication and cooperation, the capacity to store food, and a long lifespan. All these characteristics enhance social insects as ES providers, highlighting their potential, constancy and efficiency as suppliers of these services. In turn, many of these traits make social insects stress tolerant and easy to manage, so increasing the ESs they provide. We emphasise the need for a conservation approach to the management of the services, as well as the potential use of social insects to help restore habitats degraded by human activities. In addition, we stress the need to evaluate both services and disservices in an integrated way, because some species of social insects are among the most problematic invasive species and native pests. Finally, we propose two areas of research that will lead to a greater and more efficient use of social insects as ES providers, and to a greater appreciation of them by producers and decision-makers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Elizalde
- LIHo - Laboratorio Ecotono, INIBIOMA-CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Pasaje Gutiérrez 1125, Bariloche, 8400, Argentina
| | - Marina Arbetman
- Ecopol, INIBIOMA-CONICET - Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Pasaje Gutiérrez 1125, Bariloche, 8400, Argentina
| | - Xavier Arnan
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalunya, Barcelona, E-08193, Spain
| | - Paul Eggleton
- Life Sciences Department, The Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD, U.K
| | - Inara R Leal
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235 - Cidade Universitária, Recife, 50670-901, Brazil
| | - María Natalia Lescano
- LIHo - Laboratorio Ecotono, INIBIOMA-CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Pasaje Gutiérrez 1125, Bariloche, 8400, Argentina
| | - Agustín Saez
- Ecopol, INIBIOMA-CONICET - Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Pasaje Gutiérrez 1125, Bariloche, 8400, Argentina
| | - Victoria Werenkraut
- LIHo - Laboratorio Ecotono, INIBIOMA-CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Pasaje Gutiérrez 1125, Bariloche, 8400, Argentina
| | - Gabriela I Pirk
- LIHo - Laboratorio Ecotono, INIBIOMA-CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Pasaje Gutiérrez 1125, Bariloche, 8400, Argentina
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5
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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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6
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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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7
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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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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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Dejean A, Azémar F, Céréghino R, Leponce M, Corbara B, Orivel J, Compin A. The dynamics of ant mosaics in tropical rainforests characterized using the Self-Organizing Map algorithm. INSECT SCIENCE 2016; 23:630-637. [PMID: 25684460 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Ants, the most abundant taxa among canopy-dwelling animals in tropical rainforests, are mostly represented by territorially dominant arboreal ants (TDAs) whose territories are distributed in a mosaic pattern (arboreal ant mosaics). Large TDA colonies regulate insect herbivores, with implications for forestry and agronomy. What generates these mosaics in vegetal formations, which are dynamic, still needs to be better understood. So, from empirical research based on 3 Cameroonian tree species (Lophira alata, Ochnaceae; Anthocleista vogelii, Gentianaceae; and Barteria fistulosa, Passifloraceae), we used the Self-Organizing Map (SOM, neural network) to illustrate the succession of TDAs as their host trees grow and age. The SOM separated the trees by species and by size for L. alata, which can reach 60 m in height and live several centuries. An ontogenic succession of TDAs from sapling to mature trees is shown, and some ecological traits are highlighted for certain TDAs. Also, because the SOM permits the analysis of data with many zeroes with no effect of outliers on the overall scatterplot distributions, we obtained ecological information on rare species. Finally, the SOM permitted us to show that functional groups cannot be selected at the genus level as congeneric species can have very different ecological niches, something particularly true for Crematogaster spp., which include a species specifically associated with B. fistulosa, nondominant species and TDAs. Therefore, the SOM permitted the complex relationships between TDAs and their growing host trees to be analyzed, while also providing new information on the ecological traits of the ant species involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Dejean
- CNRS, Laboratoire Écologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement (UMR-CNRS 5245), 31062, Toulouse, France
- Université de Toulouse, UPS, INP, Ecolab, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse, France
- Écologie des Forêts de Guyane, Campus agronomique, BP 316, 97387, Kourou cedex, France
| | - Frédéric Azémar
- CNRS, Laboratoire Écologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement (UMR-CNRS 5245), 31062, Toulouse, France
- Université de Toulouse, UPS, INP, Ecolab, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse, France
| | - Régis Céréghino
- CNRS, Laboratoire Écologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement (UMR-CNRS 5245), 31062, Toulouse, France
- Université de Toulouse, UPS, INP, Ecolab, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse, France
| | - Maurice Leponce
- Biodiversity Monitoring and Assessment Unit, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Rue Vautier 29, B-1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bruno Corbara
- CNRS, Laboratoire Microorganismes, Génome et Environnement (UMR-CNRS 6023), Université Blaise Pascal, Complexe Scientifique des Cézeaux, 63177, Aubière cedex, France
- Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, LMGE, BP 10448, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- Écologie des Forêts de Guyane, Campus agronomique, BP 316, 97387, Kourou cedex, France
| | - Arthur Compin
- CNRS, Laboratoire Écologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement (UMR-CNRS 5245), 31062, Toulouse, France
- Université de Toulouse, UPS, INP, Ecolab, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse, France
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10
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The functional roles of epiphytes and arboreal soils in tropical montane cloud forests. JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1017/s026646741600033x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:Epiphytes and their associated decomposing litter and arboreal soils (herein, epiphytic material, EM) are ubiquitous features of tropical montane cloud forests (TMCF) and play important roles in ecosystem function. EM intercepts water and nutrients from the atmosphere and from intercepted host tree sources, and may contribute significant inputs of these resources to the forest floor. Despite the importance of EM in the TMCF, a systematic review of the ecosystem roles of EM has not been compiled before. We have synthesized the literature that documents functions of EM in undisturbed TMCFs and discuss how these roles may be affected by disturbances, including changes in climate and land use. The range of EM biomass and water storage in the TMCF varies greatly across sites, with different amounts associated with stand age and microclimate. EM is important as habitat and food for birds and mammals, with over 200 species of birds documented as using EM in the Neotropics. Given its sensitivity to moisture, projected shifts in cloud base heights or precipitation due to changes in climate will likely have a large impact on this community and changes in EM diversity or abundance may have cascading impacts on the ecosystem function of the TMCF.
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11
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Kakishima S, Morita S, Yoshida K, Ishida A, Hayashi S, Asami T, Ito H, Miller DG, Uehara T, Mori S, Hasegawa E, Matsuura K, Kasuya E, Yoshimura J. The contribution of seed dispersers to tree species diversity in tropical rainforests. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2015; 2:150330. [PMID: 26587246 PMCID: PMC4632518 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.150330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Tropical rainforests are known for their extreme biodiversity, posing a challenging problem in tropical ecology. Many hypotheses have been proposed to explain the diversity of tree species, yet our understanding of this phenomenon remains incomplete. Here, we consider the contribution of animal seed dispersers to the species diversity of trees. We built a multi-layer lattice model of trees whose animal seed dispersers are allowed to move only in restricted areas to disperse the tree seeds. We incorporated the effects of seed dispersers in the traditional theory of allopatric speciation on a geological time scale. We modified the lattice model to explicitly examine the coexistence of new tree species and the resulting high biodiversity. The results indicate that both the coexistence and diversified evolution of tree species can be explained by the introduction of animal seed dispersers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Kakishima
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 432-8561, Japan
| | - Satoru Morita
- Department of Mathematical and Systems Engineering, Shizuoka University, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 432-8561, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Yoshida
- Biodiversity Conservation Planning Section, Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan
| | - Atsushi Ishida
- Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Otsu, Shiga 520-2113, Japan
| | - Saki Hayashi
- Department of Mathematical and Systems Engineering, Shizuoka University, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 432-8561, Japan
| | - Takahiro Asami
- Department of Biology, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan
| | - Hiromu Ito
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 432-8561, Japan
| | - Donald G. Miller
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Chico, CA 95929, USA
| | - Takashi Uehara
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 432-8561, Japan
| | - Shigeta Mori
- Department of Food, Life, and Environmental Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-8555, Japan
| | - Eisuke Hasegawa
- Department of Ecology and Systematics, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8589, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsuura
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Eiiti Kasuya
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan
| | - Jin Yoshimura
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 432-8561, Japan
- Department of Mathematical and Systems Engineering, Shizuoka University, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 432-8561, Japan
- Marine Biosystems Research Center, Chiba University, Kamogawa, Chiba 299-5502, Japan
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
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12
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Talaga S, Dézerald O, Carteron A, Petitclerc F, Leroy C, Céréghino R, Dejean A. Tank bromeliads as natural microcosms: a facultative association with ants influences the aquatic invertebrate community structure. C R Biol 2015; 338:696-700. [PMID: 26302833 DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2015.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Many tank bromeliads have facultative relationships with ants as is the case in French Guiana between Aechmea aquilega (Salib.) Griseb. and the trap-jaw ant, Odontomachus haematodus Linnaeus. Using a redundancy analysis, we determined that the presence of O. haematodus colonies is accompanied by a greater quantity of fine particulate organic matter in the water likely due to their wastes. This increase in nutrient availability is significantly correlated with an increase in the abundance of some detritivorous taxa, suggesting a positive bottom-up influence on the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities living in the A. aquilega wells. On the other hand, the abundance of top predators is negatively affected by a lower number of available wells due to ant constructions for nesting, releasing a top-down pressure that could also favor lower trophic levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislas Talaga
- Université Antilles-Guyane, Écologie des forêts de Guyane (UMR-CNRS 8172), campus agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou cedex, France; CNRS, Écologie des forêts de Guyane (UMR-CNRS 8172), campus agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou cedex, France.
| | - Olivier Dézerald
- Université Antilles-Guyane, Écologie des forêts de Guyane (UMR-CNRS 8172), campus agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou cedex, France; CNRS, Écologie des forêts de Guyane (UMR-CNRS 8172), campus agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou cedex, France
| | - Alexis Carteron
- Université de Toulouse, UPS, INP, Ecolab, 118, route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Frédéric Petitclerc
- CNRS, Écologie des forêts de Guyane (UMR-CNRS 8172), campus agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou cedex, France
| | - Céline Leroy
- IRD, UMR AMAP, boulevard de la Lironde, TA A-51/PS2, 34398 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - Régis Céréghino
- Université de Toulouse, UPS, INP, Ecolab, 118, route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France; CNRS, Ecolab (UMR-CNRS 5245), 118, route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Alain Dejean
- CNRS, Écologie des forêts de Guyane (UMR-CNRS 8172), campus agronomique, BP 316, 97379 Kourou cedex, France; Université de Toulouse, UPS, INP, Ecolab, 118, route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France; CNRS, Ecolab (UMR-CNRS 5245), 118, route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France
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Park SH, Hosoishi S, Ogata K, Kuboki Y. Clustering of ant communities and indicator species analysis using self-organizing maps. C R Biol 2014; 337:545-52. [PMID: 25242693 DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2014.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Revised: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
To understand the complex relationships that exist between ant assemblages and their habitats, we performed a self-organizing map (SOM) analysis to clarify the interactions among ant diversity, spatial distribution, and land use types in Fukuoka City, Japan. A total of 52 species from 12 study sites with nine land use types were collected from 1998 to 2012. A SOM was used to classify the collected data into three clusters based on the similarities between the ant communities. Consequently, each cluster reflected both the species composition and habitat characteristics in the study area. A detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) corroborated these findings, but removal of unique and duplicate species from the dataset in order to avoid sampling errors had a marked effect on the results; specifically, the clusters produced by DCA before and after the exclusion of specific data points were very different, while the clusters produced by the SOM were consistent. In addition, while the indicator value associated with SOMs clearly illustrated the importance of individual species in each cluster, the DCA scatterplot generated for species was not clear. The results suggested that SOM analysis was better suited for understanding the relationships between ant communities and species and habitat characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Hyun Park
- Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan.
| | - Shingo Hosoishi
- Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kazuo Ogata
- Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yuzuru Kuboki
- Yuzuru Kuboki, 2-12-2, Kiyota, Yahata-higashi, Kitakyushu, Japan
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Carrias JF, Céréghino R, Brouard O, Pélozuelo L, Dejean A, Couté A, Corbara B, Leroy C. Two coexisting tank bromeliads host distinct algal communities on a tropical inselberg. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2014; 16:997-1004. [PMID: 24400863 DOI: 10.1111/plb.12139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The tank bromeliads Aechmea aquilega (Salisb.) and Catopsis berteroniana (Schultes f.) coexist on a sun-exposed Neotropical inselberg in French Guiana, where they permit conspicuous freshwater pools to form that differ in size, complexity and detritus content. We sampled the algal communities (both eukaryotic and cyanobacterial taxa, including colourless forms) inhabiting either A. aquilega (n = 31) or C. berteroniana (n = 30) and examined differences in community composition and biomass patterns in relation to several biotic and abiotic variables. Chlorella sp. and Bumilleriopsis sp. were the most common taxa and dominated the algal biomass in A. aquilega and C. berteroniana, respectively. Using a redundancy analysis, we found that water volume, habitat complexity and the density of phagotrophic protozoa and collector-gatherer invertebrates were the main factors explaining the distribution of the algal taxa among the samples. Hierarchical clustering procedures based on abundance and presence/absence data clearly segregated the samples according to bromeliad species, revealing that the algal communities in the smaller bromeliad species were not a subset of the communities found in the larger bromeliad species. We conclude that, even though two coexisting tank bromeliad populations create adjacent aquatic habitats, each population hosts a distinct algal community. Hence, bromeliad diversity is thought to promote the local diversity of freshwater algae in the Neotropics.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-F Carrias
- Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand, France; Laboratoire Microorganismes, Génome et Environnement (LMGE), CNRS, UMR 6023, Aubière, France
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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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Dézerald O, Leroy C, Corbara B, Carrias JF, Pélozuelo L, Dejean A, Céréghino R. Food-web structure in relation to environmental gradients and predator-prey ratios in tank-bromeliad ecosystems. PLoS One 2013; 8:e71735. [PMID: 23977128 PMCID: PMC3743759 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known of how linkage patterns between species change along environmental gradients. The small, spatially discrete food webs inhabiting tank-bromeliads provide an excellent opportunity to analyse patterns of community diversity and food-web topology (connectance, linkage density, nestedness) in relation to key environmental variables (habitat size, detrital resource, incident radiation) and predators:prey ratios. We sampled 365 bromeliads in a wide range of understorey environments in French Guiana and used gut contents of invertebrates to draw the corresponding 365 connectance webs. At the bromeliad scale, habitat size (water volume) determined the number of species that constitute food-web nodes, the proportion of predators, and food-web topology. The number of species as well as the proportion of predators within bromeliads declined from open to forested habitats, where the volume of water collected by bromeliads was generally lower because of rainfall interception by the canopy. A core group of microorganisms and generalist detritivores remained relatively constant across environments. This suggests that (i) a highly-connected core ensures food-web stability and key ecosystem functions across environments, and (ii) larger deviations in food-web structures can be expected following disturbance if detritivores share traits that determine responses to environmental changes. While linkage density and nestedness were lower in bromeliads in the forest than in open areas, experiments are needed to confirm a trend for lower food-web stability in the understorey of primary forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Dézerald
- EcoFoG, Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane, CNRS UMR 8172, Kourou, France
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Carrias JF, Brouard O, Leroy C, Céréghino R, Pélozuelo L, Dejean A, Corbara B. An ant–plant mutualism induces shifts in the protist community structure of a tank-bromeliad. Basic Appl Ecol 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2012.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Leroy C, Corbara B, Pélozuelo L, Carrias JF, Dejean A, Céréghino R. Ant species identity mediates reproductive traits and allocation in an ant-garden bromeliad. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2012; 109:145-152. [PMID: 21984729 PMCID: PMC3241577 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcr253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2011] [Accepted: 09/05/2011] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Determining the sources of variation in floral morphology is crucial to understanding the mechanisms underlying Angiosperm evolution. The selection of floral and reproductive traits is influenced by the plant's abiotic environment, florivores and pollinators. However, evidence that variations in floral traits result from mutualistic interactions with insects other than pollinators is lacking in the published literature and has rarely been investigated. We aimed to determine whether the association with either Camponotus femoratus or Pachycondyla goeldii (both involved in seed dispersal and plant protection) mediates the reproductive traits and allocation of Aechmea mertensii, an obligatory ant-garden tank-bromeliad, differently. METHODS Floral and reproductive traits were compared between the two A. mertensii ant-gardens. The nitrogen flux from the ants to the bromeliads was investigated through experimental enrichments with stable isotopes ((15)N). KEY RESULTS Camponotus femoratus-associated bromeliads produced inflorescences up to four times longer than did P. goeldii-associated bromeliads. Also, the numbers of flowers and fruits were close to four times higher, and the number of seeds and their mass per fruit were close to 1·5 times higher in C. femoratus than in P. goeldii-associated bromeliads. Furthermore, the (15)N-enrichment experiment showed that C. femoratus-associated bromeliads received more nitrogen from ants than did P. goeldii-associated bromeliads, with subsequent positive repercussions on floral development. Greater benefits were conferred to A. mertensii by the association with C. femoratus compared with P. goeldii ants. CONCLUSIONS We show for the first time that mutualistic associations with ants can result in an enhanced reproductive allocation for the bromeliad A. mertensii. Nevertheless, the strength and direction of the selection of floral and fruit traits change based on the ant species and were not related to light exposure. The different activities and ecological preferences of the ants may play a contrasting role in shaping plant evolution and speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Leroy
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (UMR-CNRS 8172), Campus Agronomique, F-97379 Kourou cedex, France
| | - Bruno Corbara
- Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, BP 10448, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Laboratoire Microorganismes, Génome et Environnement (UMR-CNRS 6023), F-63177 Aubière, France
| | - Laurent Pélozuelo
- Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement (UMR-CNRS 5245), Université de Toulouse, 118 route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France
- Université de Toulouse, 118 route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Jean-François Carrias
- Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, BP 10448, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Laboratoire Microorganismes, Génome et Environnement (UMR-CNRS 6023), F-63177 Aubière, France
| | - Alain Dejean
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (UMR-CNRS 8172), Campus Agronomique, F-97379 Kourou cedex, France
- Université de Toulouse, 118 route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Régis Céréghino
- Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement (UMR-CNRS 5245), Université de Toulouse, 118 route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France
- Université de Toulouse, 118 route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France
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Céréghino R, Leroy C, Carrias JF, Pelozuelo L, Ségura C, Bosc C, Dejean A, Corbara B. Ant-plant mutualisms promote functional diversity in phytotelm communities. Funct Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2011.01863.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Yanoviak SP, Berghoff SM, Linsenmair KE, Zotz G. Effects of an Epiphytic Orchid on Arboreal Ant Community Structure in Panama. Biotropica 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7429.2011.00764.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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