%0 Journal Article
%T Host plant protection by arboreal ants: looking for a pattern in locally induced responses
%A Dejean, A.
%A Grangier, J.
%A Leroy, C.
%A Orivel, J.
%J Evolutionary Ecology Research
%D 2008
%V 10
%N 8
%I EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY LTD
%@ 1522-0613
%F Dejean_etal2008
%O ISI:000264041000008
%O exported from refbase (http://php.ecofog.gf/refbase/show.php?record=119), last updated on Wed, 04 May 2011 11:11:22 -0300
%X Background: Among arboreal ants, both territorially dominant species and plant-ants (e.g. species associated with myrmecophytes or plants housing them in hollow structures) protect their host trees against defoliators. Yet, locally induced responses, or the recruitment of nest-mates when a worker discovers it wound on its host-tree, were only noted in plant-ants. We wondered whether this might be due to the examination of the phenomenon being restricted to only six plant-ant species belonging to four genera. Based on the ant genus Azteca, a Neotropical group of arboreal species, we compared five species. The territorially dominant, carton-nester A. chartifex, three plant-ant species [A. alfari and A. ovaticeps associated with myrmecophitic Cecropia (Cecropiaceae), and A. bequaerti associated with Tococa guianensis (Melastomataceae)], and A. schimperi thought to be a temporary social parasite of true Cecropia ants. Methods: We artificially inflicted wounds to the foliage of the host tree of the different ant species. We then compared the number of workers on wounded versus control leaves. Results: We noted a locally induced response in the three plant-ant species as well as in the territorially dominant species, but very slightly so in A. schimperi.
%K aggressiveness
%K ant-plant relationships
%K Azteca
%K biotic defence
%K induced responses
%P 1217-1223