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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Ants as floral visitors of Blutaparon portulacoides (A. St-Hil.) Mears (Amaranthaceae): an ant pollination system in the Atlantic Rainforest

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Author(s):
Ibarra-Isassi, Javier [1] ; Sendoya, Sebastian Felipe [2]
Total Authors: 2
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Programa Posgrad Ecol, CP 6109, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Biol Anim, CP 6109, BR-13083862 Campinas, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: ARTHROPOD-PLANT INTERACTIONS; v. 10, n. 3, p. 221-227, JUN 2016.
Web of Science Citations: 9
Abstract

Ant pollination is a debated topic that requires more attention in order to clarify the role of ants as potential pollinators. Although many authors consider ants as mere nectar robbers, there are studies proving that ants may act as pollinators and that some plants even have flower traits acting as ant attractors. In this study, we evaluated the role of the ants in pollination of Blutaparon portulacoides inflorescences. This plant species has most of the traits favorable for ant pollination, such as short and aggregated inflorescences, and synchronized blooming as well as growing in an environment where ant pollination is likely to occur. Our results show that ants are the most abundant visitors throughout the day and that there is no effect of ant integument on pollen germination. Furthermore, the flower visitor exclusion experiment showed that ants have a role in the pollination of B. portulacoides by promoting seed formation. Ants can have an important part in the pollination of B. portulacoides in a scenario where winged insects are absent or scarce. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 12/23399-3 - Interaction between ants and plants bearing extrafloral nectaries : Community patterns along a latitudinal gradient in the cerrado biome
Grantee:Sebastian Felipe Sendoya Echeverry
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
FAPESP's process: 14/12486-8 - Interactions between ants, flowers and flower visitors in cerrado vegetation: case study with Byrsonima intermedia A. Juss. (Malpighiaceae)
Grantee:Javier Eduardo Ibarra Isassi
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master