TY  - JOUR
AU  - Dejean, A.
AU  - Djieto-Lordon, C.
AU  - Cereghino, R.
AU  - Leponce, M.
PY  - 2008//
TI  - Ontogenetic succession and the ant mosaic: An empirical approach using pioneer trees
T2  - Basic Appl. Ecol.
JO  - Basic and Applied Ecology
SP  - 316
EP  - 323
VL  - 9
IS  - 3
PB  - ELSEVIER GMBH, URBAN & FISCHER VERLAG
KW  - ant-plant relationships
KW  - dynamics of associations
KW  - myrmecophytes
KW  - species turnover
KW  - tropical rainforests
N2  - Arboreal ant mosaics have been intensively investigated, but what generates these mosaics remains poorly understood. In this paper, we hypothesize that the dynamics of arboreal ant mosaics could be better understood by examining the ontogenetic succession of ants in tropical trees. We used three African pioneer tree species as biological models. Lophira alata (Ochnaceae) is a long-lived species that does not furnish any reward (i.e., extra-floral nectaries [EFNs], shelter) to ants, Anthocleista vogelii (Gentianaceae) bears extremely well-developed EFNs, and Barteria fistulosa (Passifloraceae) is a long-lived myrmecophyte providing both EFNs and domatia. For both L. alata and A. vogelii, we noted a succession of different associated ants as the plants grew and aged. Ground-nesting, arborealforaging ant species were the first associates, followed by arboreal species that build nests with the leaves of their host trees, together with some species nesting opportunistically in pre-existing cavities. Carton-building Crematogaster species were the last in this succession. The presence of EFNs on A. vogelii slows species turnover, demonstrating that the plant exerts some control over its ant associates. The comparison with B. fistulosa, which generally remains associated with the same plant-ant species during its entire ontogeny, highlights the importance of the selective attractiveness of the trees for their associated ants – or, perhaps, the existence of plant filters that screen arriving ants. (C) 2007 Gesellschaft fur Okologie. Published by Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
SN  - 1439-1791
N1  - ISI:000256734600013
ID  - Dejean_etal2008
ER  -