Species specificity in settling-plant selection by foundress ant queens in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macaranga</Emphasis>–<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crematogaster</Emphasis> myrmecophytism in a Bornean dipterocarp forest |
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Authors: | Kaori Murase Takao Itioka Yoko Inui Takao Itino |
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Institution: | 1.Laboratory of Applied Entomology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8601,Japan;2.Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, ?tsu,Japan;3.Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shinshuu University, Matsumoto,Japan |
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Abstract: | Previous studies have demonstrated that the obligate myrmecophytism between Macaranga ant-plants and Crematogaster plant-ants is highly species specific, although multiple Macaranga species can coexist in a microhabitat. However, the species specificity has been described based on the study of trees with
established plant-ant colonies. We studied how the process of settling into the partner Macaranga seedlings by single foundress Crematogaster queens contributes to species specificity. By sampling seedlings of three sympatric Macaranga myrmecophytes species in the field, we tested two hypotheses. The first is that foundresses correctly select their specific
partner plant species when they settle into seedlings. The second hypothesis is that the seasons in which seedlings available
for settling by foundresses appear are segregated among the Macaranga species, and the seasons in which foundress queens settle are synchronized to the appearance of seedlings of specific partner
species; thus species specificity is consequently generated. Our results support the former hypothesis but not the latter:
we always observed foundresses settling species-specific host plants, and seedlings suitable for settling were always available
in each Macaranga species.
Electronic Publication |
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Keywords: | Myrmecophyte Ant-plant Mutualism Ant colony foundation Ant dispersal Symbiosis |
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