Beyond nectar: exploring the effects of ant presence on the interaction of flower visitors of a rosette in grassland

Carvalho, Daniel A.; Costa, Lucas M.; Silva, Izadora M.; Amoza, Natália A.; Sendoya, Sebastian F.; Cavalleri, Adriano

doi:10.1007/s11829-024-10049-6

Arthropod-Plant Interactions

2024

DOI: 10.1007/s11829-024-10049-6

|View full text |Cite

Beyond nectar: exploring the effects of ant presence on the interaction of flower visitors of a rosette in grassland

Daniel A. Carvalho,

Lucas M. Costa,

Izadora M. Silva

et al.

Help me understand this report

Search citation statements

Order By: Relevance

Paper Sections

Select...

Citation Types

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Year Published

2024

Publication Types

Select...

Article1

Relationship

Self Cite0

Independent1

Authors

Journals

Cited by 1 publication

References 53 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

The Greasy Pole Syndrome in Alliaria petiolata (Brassicaceae): The Pubescence and Wax Coverage on Stems Reduce Invasion by Lasius niger Ants

Gorb,

Gorb

2024

Plants

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

To reduce negative effects of floral visitation by ants, which do not serve as reliable cross-pollinators, some plants have developed a non-floral, stem-based defense mechanism called greasy pole syndrome. In the present study, we examined the effects of two surface features (trichomes and three-dimensional epicuticular wax coverage) on stems of Alliaria petiolata plants on visiting frequencies, travelled distances, and running velocities of Lasius niger ants. The experiments were performed with stem samples prepared from different (apical and basal) stem portions showing different surface morphologies (smooth control, covered by wax and trichomes + wax, respectively). The control, mechanically wiped stem samples lacking any surface features were significantly more often visited by ants, where they travelled significantly longer distances and moved with significantly higher velocities, compared to the intact stems. The apical and basal stem portions showed no significant differences in the measured parameters. Based on data obtained, we conclude about the main contribution of the wax to the greasy pole function of the A. petiolata stem via reduction of ant adhesion to the wax-bearing stem surface, whereas trichomes presumably serve as the first barrier for ants approaching usually from the ground level and protect the fragile wax coverage from an excessive deterioration.

show abstract

The Greasy Pole Syndrome in Alliaria petiolata (Brassicaceae): The Pubescence and Wax Coverage on Stems Reduce Invasion by Lasius niger Ants

Gorb,

Gorb

2024

Plants

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

customersupport@researchsolutions.com

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Beyond nectar: exploring the effects of ant presence on the interaction of flower visitors of a rosette in grassland

Cited by 1 publication

References 53 publications

The Greasy Pole Syndrome in Alliaria petiolata (Brassicaceae): The Pubescence and Wax Coverage on Stems Reduce Invasion by Lasius niger Ants

The Greasy Pole Syndrome in Alliaria petiolata (Brassicaceae): The Pubescence and Wax Coverage on Stems Reduce Invasion by Lasius niger Ants

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About