Piper sp. and its inhabiting ant Pheidole bicornis: Do they communicate?

    Veröffentlichungen: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelPeer Reviewed

    Abstract

    More than 400 tropical plant species from more than 40 genera are known to have mutualistic associations with ants. In exchange for housing and often food, the plants are protected by the ants. This is also the case in myrmecophytic neotropical Piper plants (Fig. A). Ants of the genus Pheidole live obligate in petioles and stems (Fig. B) of Piper and harvest the fat and protein rich food bodies (Fig. C). In exchange for housing, the only 4 mm long Pheidole bicornis removes insect eggs, vines and small particles from the leaves. They are known as ¿sluggish¿ and unaggressive (Risch et al., 1977; Letourneau, 1983, 1998). We found incidentally, that the inhabiting ants respond rapidly to injuries of the plants¿ stem (but not the leaves) and wanted to know more about the releaser and the purpose for this instantaneous behaviour change. Our experiments show that the plant is capable of signaling to its ants that damages have occurred to its most vulnerable parts by the release of volatile fragrances. The ants ¿understand¿ the signal and respond with recruitment and aggressive behaviour. It is apparent that the Pheidole bicornis ants can recognize a common odor in all four myrmecophytic Piper species. We show, that these small ants protect their plants not only by finding and destroying the eggs of herbivores or by removing moss, but by attacking herbivores trying to harm the plant, and therewithal, the ants nest.
    OriginalspracheEnglisch
    Seitenumfang647
    FachzeitschriftBeiträge zur Naturkunde Oberösterreichs
    Jahrgang16
    PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 2006

    ÖFOS 2012

    • 106054 Zoologie
    • 106008 Botanik

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