Species-Specific Effects of Ant Inhabitants on Bromeliad Nutrition

Autor(es)

Goncalves, Ana Z. ^[1] ; Oliveira, Rafael S. ^[2] ; Oliveira, Paulo S. ^[3] ; Romero, Gustavo Q. ^[3]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas UNICAMP, Inst Biol, Posgrad Ecol, CP 6109, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas UNICAMP, Inst Biol, Dept Biol Vegetal, CP 6109, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Campinas UNICAMP, Inst Biol, Dept Biol Anim, CP 6109, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: PLoS One; v. 11, n. 3 MAR 22 2016.
• Citações Web of Science: 9

Resumo

Predator activities may lead to the accumulation of nutrients in specific areas of terrestrial habitats where they dispose of prey carcasses. In their feeding sites, predators may increase nutrient availability in the soil and favor plant nutrition and growth. However, the translocation of nutrients from one habitat to another may depend on predator identity and diet, as well as on the amount of prey intake. Here we used isotopic (N-15) and physiological methods in greenhouse experiments to evaluate the effects of the identity of predatory ants (i.e., the consumption of prey and nest sites) on the nutrition and growth of the bromeliad Quesnelia arvensis. We showed that predatory ants with protein-based nutrition (i.e., Odontomachus hastatus, Gnamptogenys moelleri) improved the performance of their host bromeliads (i.e., increased foliar N, production of soluble proteins and growth). On the other hand, the contribution of Camponotus crassus for the nutritional status of bromeliads did not differ from bromeliads without ants, possibly because this ant does not have arthropod prey as a preferred food source. Our results show, for the first time, that predatory ants can translocate nutrients from one habitat to another within forests, accumulating nutrients in their feeding sites that become available to bromeliads. Additionally, we highlight that ant contribution to plant nutrition may depend on predator identity and its dietary requirements. Nest debris may be especially important for epiphytic and terrestrial bromeliads in nutrient-poor environments. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 10/17204-0 - Mudanças climáticas em montanhas brasileiras: respostas funcionais de plantas nativas de campos rupestres e campos de altitude a secas extremas
• Beneficiário: Rafael Silva Oliveira
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 11/10137-8 - Formigas em bromélias: efeitos em cascata sobre diversidade de artrópodes, ciclagem de nutrientes e ecofisiologia das plantas hospedeiras
• Beneficiário: Ana Zangirólame Gonçalves
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado