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Relocation of Croton sonderianus (Euphorbiaceae) seeds by Pheidole fallax Mayr (Formicidae): a case of post-dispersal seed protection by ants?
Lôbo, D; Tabarelli, M; Leal, IR.
  • Lôbo, D; Univ Federal de Pernambuco. Depto de Botânica. Recife. BR
  • Tabarelli, M; Univ Federal de Pernambuco. Depto de Botânica. Recife. BR
  • Leal, IR; Univ Federal de Pernambuco. Depto de Botânica. Recife. BR
Neotrop. entomol ; 40(4): 440-444, July-Aug. 2011. ilus, graf
Article in English | LILACS | ID: lil-599803
ABSTRACT
Although seed dispersal by ants might reduce seed predation near the parent plants, predation on discarded seeds clustered on nest refuse piles may reduce any initial benefit provided by seed removal. Here we examine the fate of Croton sonderianus seeds that were discarded by Pheidole fallax Mayr ants on their nest refuses in caatinga vegetation of northeast Brazil. We collected all seeds discarded in refuse piles of 20 nests and within a radius of 50 cm from their borders, and examined them for evidence of predation. A total of 3,017 seeds were recorded either located in the P. fallax refuse piles (89.1 percent) or nest vicinity (10.9 percent). Predation was three fold higher in nest vicinity as compared to refuse piles. By removing seeds from beneath parent plants and relocating then to refuse piles, P. fallax is possibly providing double protection services for C. sonderianus seeds. Our findings represent the first evidence for predator-avoidance as benefit for plants resulting from ant seed-dispersal in the neotropics.
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Full text: Available Index: LILACS (Americas) Main subject: Ants / Euphorbiaceae / Seed Dispersal Limits: Animals Country/Region as subject: South America / Brazil Language: English Journal: Neotrop. entomol Journal subject: Biology / ZOOLOGIA Year: 2011 Type: Article / Project document Affiliation country: Brazil Institution/Affiliation country: Univ Federal de Pernambuco/BR

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Full text: Available Index: LILACS (Americas) Main subject: Ants / Euphorbiaceae / Seed Dispersal Limits: Animals Country/Region as subject: South America / Brazil Language: English Journal: Neotrop. entomol Journal subject: Biology / ZOOLOGIA Year: 2011 Type: Article / Project document Affiliation country: Brazil Institution/Affiliation country: Univ Federal de Pernambuco/BR