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Sterilization and canopy modification of a swollen thorn acacia tree by a plant-ant

Author

Listed:
  • Maureen L. Stanton

    (Center for Population Biology, University of California
    Mpala Research Centre, PO Box 555)

  • Todd M. Palmer

    (Mpala Research Centre, PO Box 555
    University of California)

  • Truman P. Young

    (Center for Population Biology, University of California
    Mpala Research Centre, PO Box 555
    University of California)

  • Amanda Evans

    (University of Oregon)

  • Monica L. Turner

    (Mpala Research Centre, PO Box 555)

Abstract

Obligate symbioses between specialized arboreal ants and plants have evolved independently in many lineages1,2. Ant-plants (myrmecophytes) typically provide hollow nest cavities and nutrition to the occupying ant colony1,3,4,5,6. In turn, resident plant-ants often protect their hosts from herbivory7,8,9,10,11 and/or overgrowth by surrounding vegetation12,13. As individual plants are rarely occupied by more than one ant colony14,15,16,17, co-occurring plant-ant species compete intensely for hosts13,14,18,19. In such multi-species systems, ecological interactions among potential partners may lead to the evolution of cheating20,21. Previous studies have revealed that some specialized plant-ants are effectively parasites of their host-plants8,18,22,23, but the selection pressures favouring such behaviours are poorly understood. Here we describe host parasitism in an east African plant-ant that prunes and sterilizes its host-tree canopies, apparently to minimize contact with competitively dominant ants occupying neighbouring trees. We propose that the high density of ant-trees and low diversity of tree species in this savanna habitat have selected for induced, parasitic pruning of host trees by this competitively subordinate ant species.

Suggested Citation

  • Maureen L. Stanton & Todd M. Palmer & Truman P. Young & Amanda Evans & Monica L. Turner, 1999. "Sterilization and canopy modification of a swollen thorn acacia tree by a plant-ant," Nature, Nature, vol. 401(6753), pages 578-581, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:401:y:1999:i:6753:d:10.1038_44119
    DOI: 10.1038/44119
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    Cited by:

    1. Kadambari Devarajan, 2016. "The Antsy Social Network: Determinants of Nest Structure and Arrangement in Asian Weaver Ants," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(6), pages 1-15, June.
    2. Matthew D Trager & Smriti Bhotika & Jeffrey A Hostetler & Gilda V Andrade & Mariano A Rodriguez-Cabal & C Seabird McKeon & Craig W Osenberg & Benjamin M Bolker, 2010. "Benefits for Plants in Ant-Plant Protective Mutualisms: A Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 5(12), pages 1-9, December.

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