Showing papers by "Andrew J. Beattie published in 1989"
TL;DR: Recent research provides some evidence that myrmecotrophy may have a wider role in plant nutrition, at least when subsidizing the costs of plant defence.
Abstract: Two plant genera with tubers specialized for occupation by ants absorb nutrients from waste materials accumulated by the resident colonies. The mineral resources of these host plants are augmented by colony foraging which functions as a second root system. This mutualistic interaction has become known as myrmecotrophy. Many other kinds of plant structure are apparent adaptations to accommodate ant colonies; these include pouches on leaves or petioles and hollow twigs, stems or thorns. Sometimes the ant species residing in these structures are aggressive towards enemies of the host plant and are important for plant defence. Recent research provides some evidence that myrmecotrophy may have a wider role in plant nutrition, at least when subsidizing the costs of plant defence.
51 citations
01 Jan 1989
TL;DR: The evidence presented in this article shows that ants can have a major impact on grassland vegetation, even in the absence of ants in grassland ecosystems, and they can even have a significant impact on the grassland ecosystem.
Abstract: Four recent books on grassland ecosystems make no mention of ants, while a fifth contains several entries in the index, most of which bear no relation to the text (Spedding 1971; Heal and Perkins 1978; Innis 1978; French 1979; Huntley and Walker 1982). This suggests that ants arc of little significance in grasslands; however, the evidence presented here shows that ants can have a major impact upon grassland vegetation.
23 citations