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Calixto ES, de Oliveira Pimenta IC, Lange D, Marquis RJ, Torezan-Silingardi HM, Del-Claro K. Emerging Trends in Ant-Pollinator Conflict in Extrafloral Nectary-Bearing Plants. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:651. [PMID: 38475497 DOI: 10.3390/plants13050651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
The net outcomes of mutualisms are mediated by the trade-offs between the costs and benefits provided by both partners. Our review proposes the existence of a trade-off in ant protection mutualisms between the benefits generated by the ants' protection against the attack of herbivores and the losses caused by the disruption of pollination processes, which are commonly not quantified. This trade-off has important implications for understanding the evolution of extrafloral nectaries (EFNs), an adaptation that has repeatedly evolved throughout the flowering plant clade. We propose that the outcome of this trade-off is contingent on the specific traits of the organisms involved. We provide evidence that the protective mutualisms between ants and plants mediated by EFNs have optimal protective ant partners, represented by the optimum point of the balance between positive effects on plant protection and negative effects on pollination process. Our review also provides important details about a potential synergism of EFN functionality; that is, these structures can attract ants to protect against herbivores and/or distract them from flowers so as not to disrupt pollination processes. Finally, we argue that generalizations regarding how ants impact plants should be made with caution since ants' effects on plants vary with the identity of the ant species in their overall net outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Denise Lange
- Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology-Parana, Campus Santa Helena, Santa Helena, Curitiba 80230-901, PR, Brazil
| | - Robert J Marquis
- Department of Biology and the Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center, University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO 63121, USA
| | - Helena Maura Torezan-Silingardi
- Postgraduation Program in Entomology, Department of Biology, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil
- Institute of Biology, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38405-240, MG, Brazil
| | - Kleber Del-Claro
- Postgraduation Program in Entomology, Department of Biology, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil
- Institute of Biology, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38405-240, MG, Brazil
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Temporal variation in the effect of ants on the fitness of myrmecophilic plants: seasonal effect surpasses periodic benefits. Naturwissenschaften 2022; 109:36. [PMID: 35763172 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-022-01805-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Plants provide extrafloral nectar, which is a food resource taken by ants, especially aggressive species that may act as plant guards. To our knowledge, no study has been conducted to concurrently investigate the fluctuation of plant fitness over its whole reproductive season, recording and comparing both short periods (different samplings during the plant's reproductive season) and the season/pooled data (all fruits produced during the reproductive season). Here, by assigning plants to either ant-present or absent treatments, we investigated the influence of the protective foliage-dwelling ant, Camponotus crassus, on the flower bud and fruit production of four extrafloral nectaried plants (Ancistrotropis firmula, Bionia coriacea, Cochlospermum regium, and Peixotoa tomentosa) throughout their annual reproductive season. Periodic samples in the field revealed a large variation in plant reproduction throughout the season; the increases in buds and fruits were not constantly higher in plants with ants, and in fact, plants without ants had more reproductive structures sometimes. Nonetheless, the examination of the pooled data, i.e., cumulative number of flower buds and fruits produced during the reproductive season, revealed the plants with ants produced more flower buds and fruits (e.g., up to two-fold greater in A. firmula) compared to ant-absent treatments. Our results indicate the effects of ants on plant reproduction are not constant over time, but the net benefits to plants with ants are reflected in increased fruit production. Therefore, the investigations of the benefit of ants on plants should consider the whole plant's reproductive season rather than single samplings within plant reproduction period.
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de Castro ÉCP, Zagrobelny M, Cardoso MZ, Bak S. The arms race between heliconiine butterflies and Passiflora plants - new insights on an ancient subject. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2017; 93:555-573. [PMID: 28901723 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Revised: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Heliconiines are called passion vine butterflies because they feed exclusively on Passiflora plants during the larval stage. Many features of Passiflora and heliconiines indicate that they have radiated and speciated in association with each other, and therefore this model system was one of the first examples used to exemplify coevolution theory. Three major adaptations of Passiflora plants supported arguments in favour of their coevolution with heliconiines: unusual variation of leaf shape within the genus; the occurrence of yellow structures mimicking heliconiine eggs; and their extensive diversity of defence compounds called cyanogenic glucosides. However, the protection systems of Passiflora plants go beyond these three features. Trichomes, mimicry of pathogen infection through variegation, and production of extrafloral nectar to attract ants and other predators of their herbivores, are morphological defences reported in this plant genus. Moreover, Passiflora plants are well protected chemically, not only by cyanogenic glucosides, but also by other compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and phenolics. Heliconiines can synthesize cyanogenic glucosides themselves, and their ability to handle these compounds was probably one of the most crucial adaptations that allowed the ancestor of these butterflies to feed on Passiflora plants. Indeed, it has been shown that Heliconius larvae can sequester cyanogenic glucosides and alkaloids from their host plants and utilize them for their own benefit. Recently, it was discovered that Heliconius adults have highly accurate visual and chemosensory systems, and the expansion of brain structures that can process such information allows them to memorize shapes and display elaborate pre-oviposition behaviour in order to defeat visual barriers evolved by Passiflora species. Even though the heliconiine-Passiflora model system has been intensively studied, the forces driving host-plant preference in these butterflies remain unclear. New studies have shown that host-plant preference seems to be genetically controlled, but in many species there is some plasticity in this choice and preferences can even be induced. Although much knowledge regarding the coevolution of Passiflora plants and heliconiine butterflies has accumulated in recent decades, there remain many exciting unanswered questions concerning this model system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Érika C P de Castro
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1871, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mika Zagrobelny
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1871, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Márcio Z Cardoso
- Department of Ecology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, 59078-900, Brazil
| | - Søren Bak
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1871, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Jones IM, Koptur S, von Wettberg EJ. The use of extrafloral nectar in pest management: overcoming context dependence. J Appl Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian Matthew Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 SW 8th St. Miami FL 33199 USA
| | - Suzanne Koptur
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 SW 8th St. Miami FL 33199 USA
- Department of Earth and Environment; Agroecology Program; Florida International University; 11200 SW 8th St. ECS 157 Miami FL 33199 USA
- International Center for Tropical Botany; College of Arts & Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 SW 8th St. ECS 450 Miami FL 33199 USA
| | - Eric J. von Wettberg
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 SW 8th St. Miami FL 33199 USA
- Department of Earth and Environment; Agroecology Program; Florida International University; 11200 SW 8th St. ECS 157 Miami FL 33199 USA
- International Center for Tropical Botany; College of Arts & Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 SW 8th St. ECS 450 Miami FL 33199 USA
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Jones IM, Koptur S, Gallegos HR, Tardanico JP, Trainer PA, Peña J. Changing light conditions in pine rockland habitats affect the intensity and outcome of ant-plant interactions. Biotropica 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian M. Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 S.W. 8th Street Miami FL 33199 USA
| | - Suzanne Koptur
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 S.W. 8th Street Miami FL 33199 USA
| | - Hilma R. Gallegos
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 S.W. 8th Street Miami FL 33199 USA
| | - Joseph P. Tardanico
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 S.W. 8th Street Miami FL 33199 USA
| | - Patricia A. Trainer
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida International University; 11200 S.W. 8th Street Miami FL 33199 USA
| | - Jorge Peña
- Tropical Research and Education Center; University of Florida; Homestead FL 33031 USA
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Dargas JHF, Chaves SR, Fischer E. Pollination of lark daisy on roadsides declines as traffic speed increases along an Amazonian highway. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2016; 18:542-544. [PMID: 26809110 DOI: 10.1111/plb.12437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Ecological disturbances caused by roadways have previously been reported, but traffic speed has not been addressed. We investigate effects of traffic speed on pollination of Centratherum punctatum (Asteraceae) along an Amazonian highway roadside. We hypothesised that frequency of flower visitors, duration of single visits and pollen deposition on stigmas will vary negatively as traffic speed increases. After measuring vehicle velocities, we classified three road sections as low-, mid- and high-velocity traffic. The main pollinator bee, Augochlora sp., visited C. punctatum inflorescences with decreasing frequency from low- to high-velocity roadside sections, whereas the nectar thief butterflies did the opposite. Duration of single visits by bees and butterflies was shorter, and arrival of pollen on C. punctatum stigmas was lower, in high- than in low-velocity roadside. Air turbulence due to passing vehicles increases with velocity and disturbed the flower visitors. Overall, results support that traffic velocity negatively affects foraging of flower visitors and the pollination of C. punctatum on roadsides.
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Affiliation(s)
- J H F Dargas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - S R Chaves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Botânica, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil
| | - E Fischer
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
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Koptur S, Jones IM, Peña JE. The Influence of Host Plant Extrafloral Nectaries on Multitrophic Interactions: An Experimental Investigation. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138157. [PMID: 26394401 PMCID: PMC4578773 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted with outplantings of the native perennial shrub Senna mexicana var. chapmanii in a semi-natural area adjacent to native pine rockland habitat in southern Florida. The presence of ants and the availability of extrafloral nectar were manipulated in a stratified random design. Insect communities were monitored and recorded over a period of six months with a view to addressing three main questions. Do ants provide biotic defense against key herbivores on S. chapmanii? Is the presence of ants on S. chapmanii mediated by EFN? Finally, are there ecological costs associated with the presence of ants on S. chapmanii, such as a reduction in alternative predator or parasitoid numbers? Herbivores on S. chapmanii included immature stages of three pierid butterflies, and adult weevils. Eight species of ants were associated with the plants, and other predators included spiders, ladybugs, wasps, and hemipterans. Parasitic, haemolymph-sucking midges (Ceratopogonidae) and parasitoid flies were also associated with the caterpillar herbivores, and possibly the extrafloral nectaries of the plants. The presence of ants did not appear to influence oviposition by butterflies, as numbers of lepidopterans of all developmental stages did not differ among treatments. Significantly more late instar caterpillars, however, were observed on plants with ants excluded, indicating that ants remove small caterpillars from plants. Substantially more alternative predators (spiders, ladybugs, and wasps) were observed on plants with ants excluded. Rates of parasitization did not differ among the treatments, but there were substantially fewer caterpillars succumbing to virus among those collected from control plants. We provide a rare look at facultative ant-plant mutualisms in the context of the many other interactions with which they overlap. We conclude that ants provide some biotic defense against herbivores on S. chapmanii, and plants benefit overall from the presence of ants, despite negative impacts on non-ant predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Koptur
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Ian M. Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Jorge E. Peña
- Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, Florida, United States of America
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Goss K, Moger TM, Nielson A, Carmona-Galindo VD. Preliminary Report: Investigation of Castor Bean Investment in Extra-Floral Nectary Glands and Reproduction. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1893/011.082.0201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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