Myrmecotrophy: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Nepenthes bicalcarata and Camponotus schmitzi.png|thumb|''[[Camponotus schmitzi]]'' in association with its [[myrmecophyte]] host, ''[[Nepenthes bicalcarata]]'']] |
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'''Myrmecotrophy''' is the ability of plants to obtain [[nutrient]]s from [[ant]]s, a form of [[Mutualism (biology)|mutualism]]. Due to this behaviour the invasion of [[vegetation]] into harsh environments is promoted.<ref name=narendra>Narendra A and Kumar S. (2006) On Trail with Ants - A Handbook of the Ants of Peninsular India p53</ref> The dead remains of insects thrown out by the ants are absorbed by the [[lenticular wart]]s in [[myrmecophyte]]s like ''[[Hydnophytum]]'' and ''[[Myrmecodia]]''.<ref>Janzen DH. (1974) Epiphytic Myrmecophytes in Sarawak: Mutualism Through the Feeding of Plants by Ants. ''Biotropica'' 6, 237-259</ref> ''Myrmecodia'' uses its lenticular warts to suck nutrients from the insects thrown out by the ants. The ants in turn benefit with a secure location to form their colony.<ref name=narendra/> |
'''Myrmecotrophy''' is the ability of plants to obtain [[nutrient]]s from [[ant]]s, a form of [[Mutualism (biology)|mutualism]]. Due to this behaviour the invasion of [[vegetation]] into harsh environments is promoted.<ref name=narendra>Narendra A and Kumar S. (2006) On Trail with Ants - A Handbook of the Ants of Peninsular India p53</ref> The dead remains of insects thrown out by the ants are absorbed by the [[lenticular wart]]s in [[myrmecophyte]]s like ''[[Hydnophytum]]'' and ''[[Myrmecodia]]''.<ref>Janzen DH. (1974) Epiphytic Myrmecophytes in Sarawak: Mutualism Through the Feeding of Plants by Ants. ''Biotropica'' 6, 237-259</ref> ''Myrmecodia'' uses its lenticular warts to suck nutrients from the insects thrown out by the ants. The ants in turn benefit with a secure location to form their colony.<ref name=narendra/> The [[pitcher plant]] ''[[Nepenthes bicalcarata]]'' obtains an estimated 42% of its total foliar [[nitrogen]] from ant waste.<ref name=Bazile>Bazile, V., J.A. Moran, G. Le Moguédec, D.J. Marshall & L. Gaume (2012). A carnivorous plant fed by its ant symbiont: a unique multi-faceted nutritional mutualism. ''PLoS ONE'' '''7'''(5): e36179. {{DOI|10.1371/journal.pone.0036179}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Myrmecology]] |
[[Category:Myrmecology]] |
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Revision as of 13:50, 12 May 2012
Myrmecotrophy is the ability of plants to obtain nutrients from ants, a form of mutualism. Due to this behaviour the invasion of vegetation into harsh environments is promoted.[1] The dead remains of insects thrown out by the ants are absorbed by the lenticular warts in myrmecophytes like Hydnophytum and Myrmecodia.[2] Myrmecodia uses its lenticular warts to suck nutrients from the insects thrown out by the ants. The ants in turn benefit with a secure location to form their colony.[1] The pitcher plant Nepenthes bicalcarata obtains an estimated 42% of its total foliar nitrogen from ant waste.[3]
References
- ^ a b Narendra A and Kumar S. (2006) On Trail with Ants - A Handbook of the Ants of Peninsular India p53
- ^ Janzen DH. (1974) Epiphytic Myrmecophytes in Sarawak: Mutualism Through the Feeding of Plants by Ants. Biotropica 6, 237-259
- ^ Bazile, V., J.A. Moran, G. Le Moguédec, D.J. Marshall & L. Gaume (2012). A carnivorous plant fed by its ant symbiont: a unique multi-faceted nutritional mutualism. PLoS ONE 7(5): e36179. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0036179