|
|||||
|
|
Symbiotic acacia ants drive nesting behavior by birds in an African savanna |
|
| Authors: | Ema Lujan Ryen Nielsen Zoe Short Samuel Wicks Wilson Nderitu Watetu Leo M. Khasoha Todd M. Palmer Jacob R. Goheen Jesse M. Alston |
| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA;2. Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, Kenya;3. Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, Kenya;4. Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, Kenya Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA;5. School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA |
| Abstract: | Mutualisms between plants and ants are common features of tropical ecosystems around the globe and can have cascading effects on interactions with the ecological communities in which they occur. In an African savanna, we assessed whether acacia ants influence nest site selection by tree-nesting birds. Birds selected nest sites in trees inhabited by ant species that vigorously defend against browsing mammals. Future research could address the extent to which hatching and fledging rates depend on the species of ant symbiont, and why ants tolerate nesting birds but no other tree associates (especially insects). Abstract in Swahili is available with online material. |
| Keywords: | Crematogaster spp. gray-capped social weaver (Pseudonigrita arnaudi) gray-headed sparrow (Passer griseus) Kenya plant-ant mutualisms superb starling (Lamprotornis superbus) symbioses Tetraponera penzigi siafu korobindo utosi-kijivu shomoro jurawa shomoro wekundu wa Kenya ushirikiano baina ya mimea na siafu kwenzi maridadi ushirikiano siafu nyembamba |