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Sugar secretion and ant protection in Ficus benguetensis: Toward a general trend of fig–ant interactions
- Source :
- Acta Oecologica. 90:168-172
- Publication Year :
- 2018
- Publisher :
- Elsevier BV, 2018.
-
Abstract
- The relationship between plants and ants is often mediated by the presence of extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) that attract ants and provide rewards by protecting plants from herbivores or parasites. Ficus trees (Moraceae) and their pollinators (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae) are parasitized by many nonpollinating fig wasp species (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) that decrease the reproductive output of the mutualistic partners. Previous studies have shown that ants living on and patrolling Ficus species can efficiently deter parasitic wasps. The aim of this study was to verify the presence of EFNs on figs of Ficus benguetensis and test the hypothetical protection service provided by ants. Figs in different developmental stages were collected from Fu-Yang Eco Park, Taipei, Taiwan. Sugars on the fig surface were collected and analyzed through high-performance anion-exchange chromatography. Moreover, ants were excluded from the figs to determine the effect of ants on the nonpollinating fig wasps. We identified three oligosaccharides whose relative proportions varied with the fig developmental phase. In addition, results showed that the ant-excluded figs were heavily parasitized and produced three times less pollinators than did the control figs. Finally, the specific interactions of Ficus benguetensis with ants and the relationship between figs and ants in general are discussed.
- Subjects :
- 0106 biological sciences
Mutualism (biology)
biology
Ecology
Ficus
Hymenoptera
biology.organism_classification
010603 evolutionary biology
01 natural sciences
Myrmecophyte
Pollinator
Botany
Nectar
Agaonidae
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Fig wasp
010606 plant biology & botany
Nature and Landscape Conservation
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 1146609X
- Volume :
- 90
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Acta Oecologica
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........0af859e39ee64e1bd547afe4edc5948b