|   | 
Details
   web
Record
Author Orivel, J.; Leroy, C.
Title The diversity and ecology of ant gardens (Hymenoptera: Formicidae; Spermatophyta: Angiospermae) Type Journal Article
Year 2011 Publication Myrmecological News Abbreviated Journal Myrmecol. News
Volume 14 Issue Pages 73-85
Keywords Ant-plant interactions; epiphytes; mutualisms; Neotropics; Paleotropics; phytotelm; parabiosis; seed dispersal; review
Abstract Mutualistic interactions between ants and plants are important features of many ecosystems, and they can be divided into three main categories: dispersal and protective mutualisms and myrmecotrophy. In both the Neotropics and the Southeastern Asian Paleotropics, ant gardens (AGs), a particular type of ant-plant interaction, are frequent. To initiate AGs, ants integrate the seeds of certain epiphyte species into the carton of their nest. The development of the plants leads to the formation of a cluster of epiphytes rooted in the carton. They have been defined as one of the most complex associations between ants and plants known because of the plurispecific, but also specialized nature of the association involving several phylogenetically-distant ant and plant species. The aim of this review is to provide a synthesis of the diversity and ecology of AGs, including the outcomes experienced by the partners in the interaction and the direct and indirect impacts ant-garden ants have on the plant and arthropod communities.
Address [Orivel, Jerome; Leroy, Celine] CNRS, UMR Ecol Forets Guyane, Kourou 97379, French Guiana, Email: jerome.orivel@ecofog.gf
Corporate Author Thesis (up)
Publisher OESTERREICHISCHE GESELL ENTOMOFAUNISTIK, C/O NATURHISTOR MUSEUM WIEN Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1994-4136 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes ISI:000286844100009 Approved no
Call Number EcoFoG @ webmaster @ Serial 292
Permanent link to this record