Dispersal distance as a benefit of myrmecochory |
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Authors: | A N Andersen |
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Institution: | (1) School of Botany, University of Melbourne, 3052 Parkville, Victoria, Australia;(2) Present address: Division of Wildlife and Ecology, CSIRO Tropical Ecosystems Research Centre, PMB 44, 5789 Winnellie, NT, Australia |
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Abstract: | Summary Nutrient-enrichment and predator avoidance are generally considered the major benefits of myrmecochory, but this is apparently
not so in Australia where some of the greatest known concentrations of myrmecochorus plants occur. Here I demonstrate that
distance dispersal is a potential benefit of myrmecochory in the Australian environment. Although mean dispersal distance
at a site in southeastern Australia was only 2.1 m, the dispersal curve was characterised by a narrow peak and long tail.
A dispersal curve of this shape has been shown by Green (1983) to be optimal when safe sites for seedling establishment are
rare, as is typically the case for Australian myrmecochores in the absence of fire. Both mean disperal distance and shape
of the dispersal curve are influenced strongly by nest density and dispersion, population size, and territoriality of seed-dispersing
ants. I argue that distance dispersal is likely to be a benefit of myrmecochory throughout Australia, independent of any targeting
of seeds to ant nests. |
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Keywords: | Ants Dispersal curve Dispersal distance Myrmecochory Seed dispersal |
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