Fate of Seeds Adapted for Dispersal by Ants in Australian Sclerophyll Vegetation

TLDR: Influences of ant behavior on short— and long—term fate of elaiosome—bearing seeds were investigated in fire—prone sclerophyll vegetation neary Sydney, New South Wales by measuring dispersal distances, seed predation within ant nests, and seed burial.

Abstract: Influences of ant behavior on short— and long—term fate of elaiosome—bearing seeds were investigated in fire—prone sclerophyll vegetation neary Sydney, New South Wales. The short—term fate of seeds was assessed by measuring dispersal distances, seed predation within ant nests, and seed burial. Most seeds were taken directly to ant nests. The mean dispersal distance was 1.1 m (range 0.06—11 m). Seed predation by three ant species was measured by feeding known quantities of seeds and inedible seed mimics, made from plastic beads, into nests. Nests were excavated 2, 7, and 30 d later to recover seeds and beads. The recovery rate of beads estimated the disappearance rate of seeds from nests due to factors other than predation. Pheidole sp. 1 appeared to eat most seeds soon after collection but also stored some seeds in small caches within the nest. Both Rhytidoponera "metallica" and Aphaenogaster longiceps removed most seeds for the nest intact (the elaiosome having been consumed) and discarded them on the su...