The Ecology of a Keystone Seed Disperser, the Ant Rhytidoponera violacea

Lubertazzi, Dave; Aliberti Lubertazzi, Maria A.; McCoy, Neil; Gove, Aaron D.; Majer, Jonathan D.; Dunn, Robert R.

doi:10.1673/031.010.14118

The Ecology of a Keystone Seed Disperser, the Ant Rhytidoponera violacea

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2010 · Journal of Insect Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1673/031.010.14118· OSTI ID:1629734

Lubertazzi, Dave ^[1]; Aliberti Lubertazzi, Maria A. ^[2]; McCoy, Neil ^[3]; Gove, Aaron D. ^[4]; Majer, Jonathan D. ^[4]; Dunn, Robert R. ^[5]

North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC (United States). Dept. of Biology; DOE/OSTI
Univ. of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI (United States). Dept. of Plant Science and Entomology
North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC (United States). Dept. of Biology
Curtin Univ. of Technology, Perth, WA (Australia). Centre for Ecosystem Diversity and Dynamics
North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC (United States). Dept. of Biology; Curtin Univ. of Technology, Perth, WA (Australia). Centre for Ecosystem Diversity and Dynamics

Rhytidoponera violacea (Forel) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is a keystone seed disperser in Kwongan heathland habitats of southwestern Australia. Like many myrmecochorous ants, little is known about the basic biology of this species. In this study various aspects of the biology of R. violacea were examined and the researchers evaluated how these characteristics may influence seed dispersal. R. violacea nesting habits (relatively shallow nests), foraging behavior (scramble competitor and lax food selection criteria), and other life history characteristics complement their role as a mutualist that interacts with the seeds of many plant species.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: Australian Research Council; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER). Earth and Environmental Systems Science Division

Grant/Contract Number:: FG02-08ER64510

OSTI ID:: 1629734

Journal Information:: Journal of Insect Science, Journal Name: Journal of Insect Science Journal Issue: 158 Vol. 10; ISSN 1536-2442

Publisher:: Entomological Society of America - Oxford University PressCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

References (45)

Sources of variation in pollinator contribution within a guild: the effects of plant and pollinator factors Pellmyr, Olle; Thompson, John N. Oecologia, Vol. 107, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00333953	journal	September 1996
Sex ratios and the distribution of elaiosomes in colonies of the ant, Aphaenogaster rudis Bono, J. M.; Heithaus, E. R. Insectes Sociaux, Vol. 49, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1007/pl00012655	journal	November 2002
A keystone ant species promotes seed dispersal in a “diffuse” mutualism Gove, Aaron D.; Majer, Jonathan D.; Dunn, Robert R. Oecologia, Vol. 153, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-007-0756-5	journal	May 2007
Chemical differences between seeds and elaiosomes indicate an adaptation to nutritional needs of ants Fischer, Renate C.; Richter, Andreas; Hadacek, Franz Oecologia, Vol. 155, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-007-0931-8	journal	December 2007
Pursuing the big questions about interspecific mutualism: a review of theoretical approaches Hoeksema, Jason D.; Bruna, Emilio M. Oecologia, Vol. 125, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1007/s004420000496	journal	November 2000
Variation in seed dispersal along an elevational gradient in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Zelikova, Tamara J.; Dunn, Robert R.; Sanders, Nathan J. Acta Oecologica, Vol. 34, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actao.2008.05.002	journal	September 2008
Inhumation: how ants and other invertebrates help seeds Beattie, Andrew J.; Culver, David C. Nature, Vol. 297, Issue 5868 https://doi.org/10.1038/297627a0	journal	June 1982
Myrmecochorous dispersal distances: a world survey Gomez, C.; Espadaler, X. Journal of Biogeography, Vol. 25, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2699.1998.2530573.x	journal	May 1998
Effects of seed aggregation on the removal rates of elaiosome-bearing Chelidonium majus and Viola odourata seeds carried by Formica polyctena ants: Seed aggregation and removal by ants Gorb, Elena; Gorb, Stanislav Ecological Research, Vol. 15, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1703.2000.00338.x	journal	June 2000
An ecological analysis of kwongan vegetation south of Eneabba, Western Australia Hnatiuk, R. J.; Hopkins, A. J. M. Austral Ecology, Vol. 6, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-9993.1981.tb01496.x	journal	December 1981
The evolution of plant–insect mutualisms Bronstein, Judith L.; Alarcón, Ruben; Geber, Monica New Phytologist, Vol. 172, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2006.01864.x	journal	September 2006
Ecology of Seed Dispersal Howe, H. F.; Smallwood, J. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, Vol. 13, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.es.13.110182.001221	journal	November 1982
Worker Compatibilities Within and Between Populations of Rhytidoponera Metallica Haskins, Caryl P.; Haskin, Edna F. Psyche: A Journal of Entomology, Vol. 86, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1155/1979/12031	journal	January 1979
Ecology and Life History of the Rhytidoponera Impressa Group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) II. Colony Origin, Seasonal Cycles, and Reproduction Ward, Philip So Psyche: A Journal of Entomology, Vol. 88, Issue 1-2 https://doi.org/10.1155/1981/39593	journal	January 1981
Ecology and Life History of the Rhytidoponera Impressa Group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) I. Habitats, Nest Sites, and Foraging Behavior Ward, Philip S. Psyche: A Journal of Entomology, Vol. 88, Issue 1-2 https://doi.org/10.1155/1981/82408	journal	January 1981
Inter-Nest Interactions, Nest Autonomy, and Reproductive Specialization in an Australian Arid-Zone Ant, Rhytidoponera Sp. 12 Pamilo, P.; Crozier, R. H.; Fraser, J. Psyche: A Journal of Entomology, Vol. 92, Issue 2-3 https://doi.org/10.1155/1985/14980	journal	January 1985
Ants Sow the Seeds of Global Diversification in Flowering Plants Lengyel, Szabolcs; Gove, Aaron D.; Latimer, Andrew M. PLoS ONE, Vol. 4, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0005480	journal	May 2009
Mechanical Defense in Seeds Adapted for ant Dispersal Rodgerson, Louise Ecology, Vol. 79, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(1998)079[1669:mdisaf]2.0.co;2	journal	July 1998
Food from Seed-Dispersal Mutualism Shifts Sex Ratios in Colonies of the Ant Aphaenogaster rudis Morales, Manuel A.; Heithaus, E. Raymond Ecology, Vol. 79, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.2307/176966	journal	March 1998
Fate of Seeds Adapted for Dispersal by Ants in Australian Sclerophyll Vegetation Hughes, Lesley; Westoby, Mark Ecology, Vol. 73, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.2307/1940676	journal	August 1992
Effect of Diaspore Characteristics on Removal of Seeds Adapted for Dispersal by Ants Hughes, Lesley; Westoby, Mark Ecology, Vol. 73, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.2307/1940677	journal	August 1992
Sources of variation in pollinator contribution within a guild: the effects of plant and pollinator factors Pellmyr, Olle; Thompson, John N. Oecologia, Vol. 107, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00333953	journal	September 1996
Patterns of movement and seed dispersal of a tropical frugivore Westcott, D. A.; Graham, D. L. Oecologia, Vol. 122, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00008853	journal	February 2000
Sex ratios and the distribution of elaiosomes in colonies of the ant, Aphaenogaster rudis Bono, J. M.; Heithaus, E. R. Insectes Sociaux, Vol. 49, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00012655	journal	November 2002
Geographic variations in seed dispersal by ants: are plant and seed traits decisive? Boulay, R.; Coll-Toledano, J.; Manzaneda, A. J. Naturwissenschaften, Vol. 94, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-006-0185-z	journal	November 2006
Ant behaviour and seed morphology: a missing link of myrmecochory Gómez, Crisanto; Espadaler, Xavier; Bas, Josep M. Oecologia, Vol. 146, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-005-0200-7	journal	July 2005
Dropping rates of elaiosome-bearing seeds during transport by ants (Formica polyctena Foerst.): Implications for distance dispersal Gorb, Stanislav N.; Gorb, Elena V. Acta Oecologica, Vol. 20, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1016/S1146-609X(00)86618-7	journal	September 1999
The Evolutionary Ecology of Ant–Plant Mutualisms Beattie, Andrew James https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511721878	book	January 2010
Importance–value curves and diversity indices applied to a species-rich heathland in Western Australia Lamont, Byron B.; Downes, Susan; Fox, John E. D. Nature, Vol. 265, Issue 5593 https://doi.org/10.1038/265438a0	journal	February 1977
Geographical variation in diaspore traits of an ant‐dispersed plant ( Helleborus foetidus ): are ant community composition and diaspore traits correlated? Garrido, José L.; Rey, Pedro J.; Cerdá, Xim Journal of Ecology, Vol. 90, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2745.2002.00675.x	journal	May 2002
Dispersal for distance? Acacia ligulata seeds and meat ants Iridomyrmex viridiaeneus: SEED DISPERSAL BY IRIDOMYRMEX VIRIDIAENEUS Whitney, Kenneth D. Austral Ecology, Vol. 27, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1442-9993.2002.01216.x	journal	November 2002
Myrmecochorous plants in Australia and their dispersal by ants Berg, Ry Australian Journal of Botany, Vol. 23, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT9750475	journal	January 1975
Seasonality and colony-size effects on the life-history characteristics of Rhytidoponera metallica in temperate south-eastern Australia Thomas, Melissa L. Australian Journal of Zoology, Vol. 51, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO03037	journal	January 2003
Interacting Guilds: Moving beyond the Pairwise Perspective on Mutualisms Stanton, Maureen L. The American Naturalist, Vol. 162, Issue S4 https://doi.org/10.1086/378646	journal	October 2003
Choosing benefits or partners: a review of the evidence for the evolution of myrmecochory Giladi, Itamar Oikos, Vol. 112, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0030-1299.2006.14258.x	journal	March 2006
Dispersal traits linked to range size through range location, not dispersal ability, in Western Australian angiosperms Gove, Aaron D.; Fitzpatrick, Matthew C.; Majer, Jonathan D. Global Ecology and Biogeography, Vol. 18, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1466-8238.2009.00470.x	journal	September 2009
FOOD FROM SEED-DISPERSAL MUTUALISM SHIFTS SEX RATIOS IN COLONIES OF THE ANT APHAENOGASTER RUDIS Morales, Manuel A.; Heithaus, E. Raymond Ecology, Vol. 79, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(1998)079[0734:FFSDMS]2.0.CO;2	journal	March 1998
Mechanical Defense in Seeds Adapted for ant Dispersal Rodgerson, Louise Ecology, Vol. 79, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(1998)079[1669:MDISAF]2.0.CO;2	journal	July 1998
Cryptic Consequences of a Dispersal Mutualism: seed Burial, Elaiosome Removal, and Seed-Bank Dynamics Christian, Caroline E.; Stanton, Maureen L. Ecology, Vol. 85, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1890/03-0059	journal	April 2004
Ant body size Predicts Dispersal Distance of Ant-Adapted Seeds: Implications of Small-Ant Invasions Ness, J. H.; Bronstein, J. L.; Andersen, A. N. Ecology, Vol. 85, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1890/03-0364	journal	May 2004
Myrmecochory in Viola: Dynamics of Seed-Ant Interactions in Some West Virginia Species Culver, David C.; Beattie, Andrew J. The Journal of Ecology, Vol. 66, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.2307/2259181	journal	March 1978
Convergence of Elaiosomes and insect Prey: Evidence from ant Foraging Behaviour and Fatty Acid Composition Hughes, L.; Westoby, M.; Jurado, E. Functional Ecology, Vol. 8, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.2307/2389829	journal	June 1994
Twelve New Ant-Dispersed Species from the Southern Appalachians Gaddy, L. L. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club, Vol. 113, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.2307/2996363	journal	July 1986
Ant body size Predicts Dispersal Distance of Ant-Adapted Seeds: Implications of Small-Ant Invasions Ness, J. H.; Bronstein, J. L.; Andersen, A. N. Figshare https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3298085	collection	January 2016
The Ecology and Evolution of Ant-Plant Interactions Rico-Gray, Victor; Oliveira, Paulo S. University of Chicago Press https://doi.org/10.7208/chicago/9780226713540.001.0001	journal	January 2007

Cited By (8)

An automated method for large-scale monitoring of seed dispersal by ants Bologna, Audrey; Toffin, Etienne; Detrain, Claire Scientific Reports, Vol. 7, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1038/srep40143	journal	January 2017
Investment in reward by ant-dispersed plants consistently selects for better partners along a geographic gradient Levine, Nataly; Ben-Zvi, Gilad; Seifan, Merav AoB PLANTS, Vol. 11, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/plz027	journal	May 2019
A Switch in Keystone Seed-Dispersing Ant Genera between Two Elevations for a Myrmecochorous Plant, Acacia terminalis Thomson, Fiona J.; Auld, Tony D.; Ramp, Daniel PLOS ONE, Vol. 11, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0157632	journal	June 2016
Size matters: nest colonization patterns for twig‐nesting ants Jiménez‐Soto, Estelí; Philpott, Stacy M. Ecology and Evolution, Vol. 5, Issue 16 https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.1555	journal	July 2015
Plant pathogenic fungi decrease in soil inhabited by seed-dispersing ants Tarsa, C.; McMillan, A.; Warren, R. J. Insectes Sociaux, Vol. 65, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-018-0618-7	journal	March 2018
Multiphase myrmecochory: the roles of different ant species and effects of fire Beaumont, Kieren P.; Mackay, Duncan A.; Whalen, Molly A. Oecologia, Vol. 172, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-012-2534-2	journal	February 2013
An update of the world survey of myrmecochorous dispersal distances Gómez, Crisanto; Espadaler, Xavier Ecography, Vol. 36, Issue 11 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0587.2013.00289.x	journal	April 2013
Differential importance of consecutive dispersal phases in two ant-dispersed Corydalis species (Papaveraceae) Zhu, Yan; Wang, Dong; Zhang, Lingyu Nordic Journal of Botany, Vol. 36, Issue 1_2 https://doi.org/10.1111/njb.01644	journal	January 2018

Similar Records

Tracing the Rise of Ants - Out of the Ground

Journal Article · Wed Dec 25 19:00:00 EST 2013 · PLoS ONE · OSTI ID:1904615

Do Dominant Ants Affect Secondary Productivity, Behavior and Diversity in a Guild of Woodland Ants?

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 19:00:00 EST 2020 · Diversity · OSTI ID:1849898

Ant handling changes myrmecochore seed coat microbiomes and alters diversity of seed-borne plant pathogenic fungi

Journal Article · Sun Feb 04 19:00:00 EST 2024 · Functional Ecology · OSTI ID:2317754

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

The Ecology of a Keystone Seed Disperser, the Ant Rhytidoponera violacea

Citation Formats

References (45)

Cited By (8)

Similar Records

Related Subjects