The Multiple Impacts of Leaf‐Cutting Ants and Their Novel Ecological Role in Human‐Modified Neotropical Forests

Leal, Inara R.; Wirth, Rainer; Tabarelli, Marcelo

doi:10.1111/btp.12126

Cited by 132 publications

(183 citation statements)

References 137 publications

(216 reference statements)

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“…Myrmecochorous plants produce an elaiosome, a specialised lipid-rich structure attached to seeds that is attractive to ants Correspondence: Ricardo I. Campos, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. Although ants normally remove seeds to their nests for elaiosome consumption, some loss along foraging trails may occur (Detrain & Tasse, 2000;Retana et al, 2004;Leal et al, 2014), favouring germination through decreased competition with the parental plant (Handel, 1976). Rolfs, S/N, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900 Brazil.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…P.H. Seeds that reach the nest are generally discarded after elaiosome consumption (Gómez et al, 2005) either inside the nest, which does not favour germination (Leal et al, 2014), or close to the nest entrance, which usually favours germination (Giladi, 2006;Leal et al, 2007;Farji-Brener & Werenkraut, 2017). E-mail: ricardo.campos@ufv.br (Gorb & Gorb, 2003;Lengyel et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Seed manipulation by ants: disentangling the effects of ant behaviours on seed germination

Fernandes

Paolucci

Carmo

et al. 2018

Ecological Entomology

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1. Seed manipulation by ants can play a key role in seed germination through two main behaviours: elaiosome detachment and seed scarification. Despite the fact that these behaviours are commonplace, their effects have only been quantified independently, and their consequences on seed germination remain controversial.2. Here we experimentally investigate the effects of ant manipulation on seed germination, disentangling the contributions of these two ant behaviours to this process. To do so, under laboratory conditions, we studied the effects of seed manipulation by Acromyrmex subterraneus on germination of seeds from Mabea fistulifera, a myrmecochorous plant. We established six experimental treatments: (i) unmanipulated seeds; (ii) ant-manipulated seeds with the elaiosome detached and scarified; (iii) ant-manipulated seeds with the elaiosome detached and non-scarified; (iv) hand-manipulated seeds with the elaiosome remaining and scarified; (v) hand-manipulated seeds with the elaiosome detached and scarified; and (vi) hand-manipulated seeds with elaiosome detached and non-scarified.3. We found that both elaiosome detachment and seed scarification decreased seed germination rates. Moreover, there was no difference in germination rates whether the seeds were manipulated by researcher's hand or by ants, suggesting a lack of other ant-manipulation effects on seeds.4. The present study shows that manipulation by A. subterraneus can exert negative effects on germination of a myrmecochorous seed. Accordingly, we suggested that studies evaluating the benefits of myrmecochory for plants, based only on seed removal amount and distance, may be overestimating those benefits. Our results contribute to the understanding of the potential mechanisms influencing plant recruitment, especially for myrmecochorous plants inhabiting tropical forests.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seed manipulation by ants: disentangling the effects of ant behaviours on seed germination

Fernandes

Paolucci

Carmo

et al. 2018

Ecological Entomology

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“…They are the dominant herbivores both numerically and in terms of biomass consumption (Costa et al . ; Leal, Wirth & Tabarelli ), exert strong effects on population‐, community‐, and ecosystem‐level processes (Terborgh et al . ; Farji‐Brener & Ghermandi ; Mundim et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Roads increase population growth rates of a native leaf‐cutter ant in Neotropical savannahs

Vieira‐Neto

Vasconcelos

Bruna

2016

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Summary A challenge in applied ecology is understanding the responses of native species to roads, which are ubiquitous drivers of environmental heterogeneity. While most studies highlight their negative effects, the potential for native species to increase in abundance near roads has been underappreciated, and the demographic mechanisms underlying abundance changes remain unclear. Elucidating these mechanisms requires first determining how demographic vital rates and life‐history stages interact to influence population growth. One can then assess how roads alter the relative importance of the alternative demographic pathways – increased performance of early vs. late life stages – suggested as the principal drivers of increased population growth. We parameterized demographic models with 3 years of census data and conducted perturbation analyses to evaluate how proximity to roads altered abundance and demography. To do so, we used the leaf‐cutter ant Atta laevigata as our model organism. Leaf‐cutters are native ecosystem engineers and dominant herbivores in Neotropical ecosystems and also amongst the longest lived insects in nature. Our study was conducted in Cerrado savannahs, where road networks are rapidly expanding and Atta species are major agricultural pests. We found that 35–45% of adult colonies were located within 15 m of roads, which is significantly closer than expected at random. Population growth rates (λ) were >1 both near and far from roads, but λ near roads were significantly (41%) higher. Elasticities of λ to early survival and growth rates were proportionally much higher than those of adult stages, irrespective of habitat. Life‐table response experiment results indicate that the higher λ near roads was due primarily to the much higher colonization and early‐life performance there. Synthesis and applications. Road networks are proliferating throughout biodiversity‐rich regions. Developing conservation and management guidelines for species whose abundance is altered by roads requires understanding the demographic mechanisms that underpin these changes. We demonstrate that the higher growth rate of roadside Atta laevigata populations is due to increased early‐life performance. Thus, the expansion of road networks could have major ecological and economic consequences by facilitating the increased abundance of ecosystem engineers and agricultural pests. Accounting for A. laevigata early life stages and careful planning of road placement should improve management strategies of protected areas and agricultural systems in Neotropical savannahs.

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“…Por outro lado, durante a fundação e manutenção do ninho no ambiente estas formigas contribuem para mudanças físico-químicas e biológicas favoráveis ao desenvolvimento vegetal (HÖLLDOBLER & WILSON, 1990), fato que as transformam em engenheiras dos ecossistemas (HÖLLDOBLER & WILSON, 1990;LEAL et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

ENCICLOPÉDIA BIOSFERA , Centro Científico Conhecer - Goiânia, v.14 n.25; p. 2017 66 COMPARAÇÃO DE PROTOCOLOS PARA EXTRAÇÃO DE DNA GENÔM ICO DA ESPÉCIE Atta sexdens (HYMENOPTERA:FORMICIDAE)

Oliveira¹,

Rocha²,

Dias³

et al. 2017

Enci Bio

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RESUMOAs formigas cortadeiras (Atta e Acromymex) se destacam tanto como praga agrícola, como pelo potencial modificador de ambientes naturais e antropizados. Considerando a importância ecológica e econômica das formigas cortadeiras, estudos genético-moleculares têm sido realizados com vistas ao entendimento da diversidade e estrutura genética das suas populações. Visando contribuir para o avanço de estudos genéticos para Atta sexdens, espécie de mais ampla distribuição do gênero e considerada como principal praga agrícola, objetivou-se comparar a eficiência de seis protocolos de extração de DNA, bem como, testar o uso de diferentes partes do corpo da formiga para a obtenção de DNA genômico para essa espécie. Os resultados revelam que três protocolos (P1, P4 e P5) foram mais eficientes para a extração de DNA genômico. Além disso, verificou-se a influência da utilização de diferentes partes do corpo da formiga na obtenção de DNA genômico, sendo os tratamentos 'Mesossoma, Pernas e Gáster' e 'Corpo Inteiro', aqueles que possibilitaram a obtenção de maior quantidade e qualidade de DNA. Este estudo comprova a eficiência de três protocolos de extração dentre os seis que foram testados para A. sexdens, podendo-se utilizar o Corpo Inteiro da formiga, retirando apenas o Gáster para a maceração, caso o destino do material extraído seja para estudos com marcadores moleculares dominantes. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Formiga cortadeira, genética molecular, inseto social. COMPARISON OF PROTOCOLS FOR THE EXTRACTION OF GENOMIC DNA OF THE SPECIES Atta sexdens (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)ABSTRACT Leaf-cutting ants (Atta and Acromymex) stand out as both agricultural plague and their potential modifier of natural and anthropized environments. Considering the ecological and economic importance of leaf-cutting ants, genetic-molecular studies

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The Multiple Impacts of Leaf‐Cutting Ants and Their Novel Ecological Role in Human‐Modified Neotropical Forests

Cited by 132 publications

References 137 publications

Seed manipulation by ants: disentangling the effects of ant behaviours on seed germination

Seed manipulation by ants: disentangling the effects of ant behaviours on seed germination

Roads increase population growth rates of a native leaf‐cutter ant in Neotropical savannahs

ENCICLOPÉDIA BIOSFERA , Centro Científico Conhecer - Goiânia, v.14 n.25; p. 2017 66 COMPARAÇÃO DE PROTOCOLOS PARA EXTRAÇÃO DE DNA GENÔM ICO DA ESPÉCIE Atta sexdens (HYMENOPTERA:FORMICIDAE)

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