TY  - JOUR
AU  - Malé, P.-J.G.
AU  - Leroy, C.
AU  - Dejean, A.
AU  - Quilichini, A.
AU  - Orivel, J.
PY  - 2012//
TI  - An ant symbiont directly and indirectly limits its host plant's reproductive success
T2  - Evol. Ecol.
JO  - Evolutionary Ecology
SP  - 55
EP  - 63
VL  - 26
IS  - 1
KW  - Cheater
KW  - Evolutionary conflict
KW  - Mutualism breakdown
KW  - Myrmecophyte
KW  - Pollination
N2  - In theory, mutualisms are intrinsically unstable, and the search for the maximum profit at the minimum cost should lead every mutualist to become a parasite. From an empirical point of view, mutualisms are ubiquitous and of major importance to ecosystems, suggesting the existence of mechanisms that enhance the maintenance of such relationships. We focused on the obligatory myrmecophytic association between the Neotropical plant Hirtella physophora (Chrysobalanaceae) and the ant Allomerus decemarticulatus (Myrmicinae). The plant shelters the ants in leaf pouches in exchange for protection from phytophagous insects. We experimentally demonstrated that the ants partially castrate their host plant by destroying almost two-thirds of its floral buds. The ants also impede pollination through their presence and interactions with pollinators. These results reveal that ant activity negatively affects the plant's reproduction both directly and indirectly. This dual negative effect does not result in the complete castration of the plant. We also highlight major limitations to plant reproduction due to the spontaneous abscission of flowers and to the limited quantity and/or poor quality of the pollen. These limitations must not be overlooked since they can alter the outcome of the association of H. physophora with its ant partner. We therefore conclude that the evolutionary fate of the relationship depends on both ant castration intensity and obstacles to plant fertilization not related to the presence of ants. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
SN  - 02697653 (Issn)
UR  - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-83555174488&partnerID=40&md5=ceda045b153805d47d99760fc095e158
N1  - Export Date: 2 January 2012; Source: Scopus; Coden: Evece; doi: 10.1007/s10682-011-9485-7; Language of Original Document: English; Correspondence Address: Malé, P.-J. G.; CNRS, EDB (Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique), UMR 5174, Université Paul Sabatier, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France; email: pjmale@cict.fr
ID  - Male_etal2012
ER  -