Natural history and ecology of foraging of the<i>Camponotus crassus</i>Mayr, 1862 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Lange, Denise; Calixto, Eduardo Soares; Rosa, Bianca B.; Sales, Tiago Amaral; Del‐Claro, Kleber

doi:10.1080/00222933.2019.1660430

Cited by 43 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…We presented the first evidence that, in natural extrafloral nectar secretion, the EFN‐mediated ant–plant mutualism is indeed a beneficial interaction (Bronstein, 1998). We have the support of several studies showing that C. crassus is an EFN‐plant defender in the Cerrado, including B. malifolia , proving that plants are benefited by ants (Alves‐Silva, 2011; Anjos et al, 2017; Fagundes et al, 2017; Lange et al, 2017, 2019), and here, we showed that C. crassus colonies do benefit from feeding on extrafloral nectar.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Net benefits of a mutualism: Influence of the quality of extrafloral nectar on the colony fitness of a mutualistic ant

2021

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Aim: Extrafloral nectar, a carbohydrate-rich liquid, is the main plant-based resource offered in exchange for ant protection. The positive results of this protection provided by ants are widely studied and supported; however, studies showing the benefits that ants and their colonies have from the resources offered by plants such as extrafloral nectar are scarce. Here, we evaluated how extrafloral nectar and artificial food resources with different nutrient concentration benefit short-and long-term Camponotus crassus colony fitness (number and weight of individuals) and survival. Methods:We conducted two sets of experiments: (1) in the field we attached artificial ant nests to plants with clogged and unclogged extrafloral nectaries; and (2) in the laboratory we offered artificial food resources with different carbohydrate-protein ratios to ant colonies. With these experiments, we evaluated the number and weight of queens, adult workers, pupae, larvae, and eggs, as well as the survival probability of the colonies. Results:In the first experiment, the short-term provision of extrafloral nectar resulted in a larger number and weight of individuals with access to this resource. In the second experiment, regardless of time, the supply of more concentrated carbohydrate and nitrogen food increased ant colony fitness and survival. Conclusion: We provided new evidence that extrafloral nectar significantly benefits ant colonies. Our results corroborate the assertion that these relationships are reciprocally beneficial.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Net benefits of a mutualism: Influence of the quality of extrafloral nectar on the colony fitness of a mutualistic ant

2021

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“…We found that Camponotus renggeri was the most common species in all treatments, making up 43%–68% of all ant visitors. Camponotus are very frequent on plants and are considered the main defence agents of extrafloral nectary‐bearing plants in the Cerrado habitat (Anjos et al., 2017; Lange et al., 2017; Lange, Calixto, Rosa, Sales, & Del‐Claro, 2019; Pires, Calixto, Oliveira, & Del‐Claro, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimal Defense Theory in an ant–plant mutualism: Extrafloral nectar as an induced defence is maximized in the most valuable plant structures

et al. 2020

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Plants allocate defences in order to decrease costs and maximize benefits against herbivores. The Optimal Defense Theory (ODT) predicts that continuously expressed (i.e. constitutive) defences are expected in structures of high value, whereas defences that are expressed or that increase their expression only after damage or upon risk of damage (i.e. induced defences) are expected in structures of low value. Although there are several studies evaluating ODT predictions, few studies have successfully tested them as a way of measuring ecological investment in extrafloral nectary (EFN)‐mediated ant–plant interactions. Here we compared extrafloral nectar production and ant attractiveness to EFNs located on vegetative versus reproductive plant structures on Qualea multiflora plants subjected to different levels of simulated herbivory. We then addressed the following predictions emerging from the ODT: (a) extrafloral nectar produced in inflorescence EFNs will have higher volumes and calories and will attract more ants than extrafloral nectar produced in leaf EFNs; (b) extrafloral nectar production (volume and calories) and ant attendance will increase after simulated herbivory in leaf EFNs but not in inflorescence EFNs; (c) higher simulated leaf herbivory will induce higher extrafloral nectar production in EFNs on leaves and (d) more attractive extrafloral nectar (higher volume and calories) will attract more ants. Extrafloral nectar volume and calorie content, as well as ant abundance, were higher in EFNs of inflorescences compared to EFNs of leaves both before and after simulated herbivory, consistent with one of our predictions. However, EFNs on both leaves and inflorescences, not on leaves only, were induced by simulated herbivory, a pattern opposite to our prediction. Plants subjected to higher levels of leaf damage produced more and higher calorie extrafloral nectar, but showed similar ant abundance. Finally, more attractive extrafloral nectar attracted more ants. Synthesis. Our results show that extrafloral nectar production before and after simulated herbivory, as well as ant recruitment, varies according to the plant structure on which EFNs are located. Our study is the first to show that ant recruitment via extrafloral nectar follows predictions from Optimal Defense Theory, and that the ant foraging patterns may be shaped by the plant part attacked and the level of damage it receives.

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“…Some groups of insects are strictly controlled in their seasonality and their abundance by rainfall patterns, being more active and abundant in periods of increased rainfall (Lange et al., 2015; Munique & Calixto, 2018; Wolda, 1978). For instance, Lange, Calixto, Rosa, Sales, and Del‐Claro (2019) showed that abundance of one of the most common foliage‐dwelling ant, Camponotus crassus , in a cerrado sensu stricto vegetation was greater during the months with greater rainfall. Similarly, we also found that temperature had positive direct effects on ant abundance, probably trough increases in consumption rates and body size, and decreases in developmental time of ants (Abril et al., 2010; Ratte, 1985).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate seasonality drives ant–plant–herbivore interactions via plant phenology in an extrafloral nectary‐bearing plant community

et al. 2020

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Interactions between ants and plants bearing extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) are among the most common mutualisms in Neotropical regions. Plants secrete extrafloral nectar, a carbohydrate‐rich food that attracts ants, which in return protect plants against herbivores. This ant–plant mutualism is subjected to temporal variation, in which abiotic factors can drive the establishment and frequency of such mutualistic interaction. However, studies investigating how abiotic factors (e.g. climate) directly and indirectly influence ant–plant–herbivore interactions are incipient. In this study, we investigated direct and indirect (via plant phenology) effects of temperature and rainfall on ant–plant–herbivore interactions. To address these goals, each month we estimated six plant phenophases (newly flushed leaves, fully expanded leaves, deciduousness, floral buds, flowers and fruits), the activity of EFNs and abundance of ants and herbivores in 18 EFN‐bearing plant species growing in a markedly seasonal region (the Brazilian Cerrado) during a complete growing season. Our results showed that (a) there were marked seasonal patterns in all plant phenophases, EFN activity and the abundance of ants and herbivores; (b) the peak of EFN activity and ant and herbivore abundance simultaneously occurred at the beginning of the rainy season, when new leaves flushed and (c) rainfall directly and indirectly (via changes in the production of new leaves) influenced EFN activity and this in turn provoked changes in ant abundance (but not on herbivores). Synthesis. Overall, our results build towards a better understanding of how climate drives seasonal patterns in ant–plant–herbivore interactions, explicitly considering plant phenology over time.

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Natural history and ecology of foraging of theCamponotus crassusMayr, 1862 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Cited by 43 publications

References 45 publications

Net benefits of a mutualism: Influence of the quality of extrafloral nectar on the colony fitness of a mutualistic ant

Net benefits of a mutualism: Influence of the quality of extrafloral nectar on the colony fitness of a mutualistic ant

Optimal Defense Theory in an ant–plant mutualism: Extrafloral nectar as an induced defence is maximized in the most valuable plant structures

Climate seasonality drives ant–plant–herbivore interactions via plant phenology in an extrafloral nectary‐bearing plant community

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