Myrmecochory in sclerophyll vegetation of the West Head,New South Wales

The incidence of myrmecochory (plants providing inducements for ants to disperse their seeds) was studied in thirty-eight plots on the West Head, New South Wales. The vegetation is made up of species from the temperate Australian flora which includes the largest known concentration of myrmecochores. Four plots with few myrmecochores either were frequently or permanently flooded, or were on fertile volcanic soil. Most plots were in well-drained sites on infertile sandstone. An average of 30% of the species on each of these were certainly myrmecochores, accounting for an average of 15% of the total cover. Within this majority of plots, the incidence of myrmecochory was not related to slope, aspect or vegetation structure. Although many myrmecochores were widespread in distribution, the majority did not contribute heavily to cover of the stands where they occurred.