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  • 1
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Benefits conferred by “timid” ants: active anti-herbivore protection of the rainforest tree Leonardoxa africana by the minute ant Petalomyrmex phylax (1997)
    Springer
    Oecologia 112 (1997), S. 209-216 
    Details
    ISSN: 1432-1939
    Keywords: Key words Mutualism ; Symbiosis ; Ant-plant interaction ; Herbivory ; Tropical forest
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract In this study, we demonstrate that an important benefit provided by the small host-specific ant Petalomyrmex phylax to its host plant Leonardoxa africana is efficient protection against herbivores. We estimate that in the absence of ants, insect herbivory would reduce the leaf area by about one-third. This contributes considerably to the fitness of the plant. Our estimates take into account not only direct damage, such as removal of leaf surface by chewing insects, but also the effects of sucking insects on leaf growth and expansion. Sucking insects are numerically predominant in this system, and the hitherto cryptic effects of ant protection against the growth-reducing effects of sucking insects accounted for half of the total estimated benefit of ant protection. We propose that the small size of workers confers a distinct advantage in this system. Assuming that resource limitation implies a trade off between size and number of ants, and given the small size of phytophagous insects that attack Leonardoxa, we conclude that fine-grained patrolling by a large number of small workers maximises protection of young leaves of this plant. Since herbivores are small and must complete their development on the young leaves of Leonardoxa, and since a high patrolling density is required for a fine-grained search for these enemies, numerous small ants should provide the most effective protection of young leaves of Leonardoxa. We also discuss other factors that may have influenced worker size in this ant.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004420050302
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  • 2
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Factors affecting levels of some phenolic compounds, digestibility, and nitrogen content of the mature leaves ofBarteria fistulosa (Passifloraceae) (1984)
    Springer
    Journal of chemical ecology 10 (1984), S. 387-401 
    Details
    ISSN: 1573-1561
    Keywords: Phenolics ; tannins ; condensed tannins ; fiber ; digestibility ; nitrogen content ; Barteria fistulosa ; ant-plant ; mature leaves ; chemical variation ; herbivory ; Pachysima aethiops ; Hymenotera ; Formicidae
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Notes: Abstract Levels of total phenolics, condensed tannins, acid detergent fiber, pepsin/cellulase digestibility, and nitrogen in mature leaves of 26 individuals of the ant-plant,Barteria fistulosa, have been determined. Analysis of the results in terms of the presence or absence of ants and the position of the branch from which the leaves were collected showed no relationship with concentrations of phenolics or fiber and only a weak relationship with digestibility and nitrogen. By contrast, light intensity strongly influenced levels of phenolics, notably condensed tannins, so that mature leaves of individuals growing in direct sunlight were less digestible and appeared to be of lower quality as food for herbivores than did mature leaves of individuals in shaded positions. Possible reasons for the variation in condensed tannin levels are discussed.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00988087
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    Paper (German National Licenses)
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