The effect of symbiotic ant colonies on plant growth: a test using an Azteca-Cecropia system.

ABSTRACT: In studies of ant-plant mutualisms, the role that ants play in increasing the growth rates of their plant partners is potentially a key beneficial service. In the field, we measured the growth of Cecropia glaziovii saplings and compared individuals that were naturally colonized by Azteca muelleri ants with uncolonized plants in different seasons (wet and dry). We also measured light availability as well as attributes that could be influenced by the presence of Azteca colonies, such as herbivory, leaf nutrients (total nitrogen and δ(15)N), and investments in defense (total phenolics and leaf mass per area). We found that colonized plants grew faster than uncolonized plants and experienced a lower level of herbivory in both the wet and dry seasons. Colonized plants had higher nitrogen conten

SUBMITTER: Oliveira KN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4374854 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature