Fidelity and Promiscuity in an Ant-Plant Mutualism: A Case Study of Triplaris and Pseudomyrmex

Abstract

The association between the myrmecophyte Triplaris and ants of the genus Pseudomyrmex is an often-reported example of mutualism but no molecular studies have examined this association to date. In this study, the interspecific relationships of Triplaris were reconstructed using five molecular markers (two chloroplast and three nuclear), and the relationships of the associated Pseudomyrmex using two molecular regions (one mitochondrial and one nuclear). A data set including all known collections of plant hosts and resident ants was also compiled. The pattern of distribution of both organisms reveals that there are varying degrees of host specificity; most ants show broader host usage (promiscuous) but one species (P. dendroicus) is faithful to a single species of Triplaris. In most ant-plant interactions, host usage is not specific at the species level and preferences may result from geographical or ecological sorting. The specificity of P. dendroicus could be based on chemical recognition of the host they were raised on.

The acacia ants revisited: convergent evolution and biogeographic context in an iconic ant/plant mutualism

“…Additional comparisons at multiple phylogenetic depths can help to illuminate the historical context of these interactions, and the factors predisposing the development of either mutualistic or antagonistic relationships with the plants. The Pseudomyrmex/Vachellia system and other ant/ plant mutualisms [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] add to a growing body of evidence for convergent evolution of complex multispecies interactions [6], tempered by particular ecological, phylogenetic and geographical conditions. Data accessibility.…”

Does fertilization with dehydrated sewage sludge affect Terminalia argentea (Combretaceae) and associated arthropods community in a degraded area?

“…The increased abundance of protocooperating ants reduced the numbers of phytophagous Coleoptera and T. spinipes on T. argentea trees, as observed in C. brasiliense , where the highest number of these ants reduced defoliation by beetles 19 , 21 . In addition, ants are bioindicators in the recovery of degraded area because they respond quickly to environmental complexity and by interacting mutually with other insects 42 – 45 . The abundance of the predatory wasp Polybia sp.…”

Neotropical ant-plant Triplaris americana attracts Pseudomyrmex mordax ant queens during seedling stages

“…However, the Pseudomyrmex triplarinus subgroup is considered to nest exclusively in Triplaris (Ward 1999). Pseudomyrmex mordax (Warming 1894) is an obligate mutualist of Triplaris and it is known to be associated with only three host species ( T. americana, T. cumingiana and T. purdiei ) on a limited geographical distribution in Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela (Ward 1999; Sanchez 2015). At the study site, T. americana is the only known host available for P. mordax (Fig.…”

“…(Polygonaceae) is a myrmecophytic genus of pioneer plants comprised of 18 species of trees, distributed from Mexico to Bolivia and Brazil (Brandbyge 1986 , 1990 ). A conspicuous feature of the genus is that each plant individual harbors one ant colony in their hollow stems (Schremmer 1984 ; Sanchez 2015 ). Triplaris americana L. is the most common and widespread species in its genus, ranging from Panama to Bolivia and Brazil (Brandbyge 1986 ).…”

“…Volatiles also function as indirect defense by attracting ants to a damaged area of the plant and more often towards younger and more vulnerable parts (Agrawal and Dubin-Thaler 1999 ; Brouat et al 2000 ; Edwards et al 2007 ; Mayer et al 2008 ; Schatz et al 2009 ; Blatrix and Mayer 2010 ). A recent study by Weir et al ( 2012 ) showed that workers of P. triplarinus pruned non-host plants, discriminating between their host ( T. americana ) and other unrelated plants species and even selectively removed leaves of a closely related species, T. poeppigiana (which only hosts Azteca ; Sanchez 2015 ). Their study also showed that ants and leaves of T. americana share some cuticular hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon components, which could be important for host discrimination.…”