Symbiosis describes a relationship between species, in which at least one organism benefits. Ants and plants interact in many puzzling ways, but one type of interaction has fascinated ecologists for centuries. Mutualism is a type of symbiosis, where both species benefit from the relationship. Ant to plant mutualisms are facultative, meaning they are not necessary for each other’s survival. However, the survival of both species lends greatly to this complex relationship. (Boucher D.H. 1985) To truly understand this interaction between ants and plants, it is important to look at why, how and where the relationship is present in our world today.
Evolution of this mutualism comes down to the evolution of angiosperm plants. Angiosperms are essentially …show more content…
The ants’ behaviour gives the tree its nickname, ‘Novice Tree’, because only someone unfamiliar with the tree would dare to touch it. In return for being fed and housed in ‘domatia’ or swollen bulbs, the ants protect the tree from encroaching plants and herbivores using a stinger. In the rainforest, light and space are in short supply due to intense vegetation growth. The ants provide the novice tree with a ‘garden’ of space by cutting away any intruding vegetation. This ensures the ant’s food source is maximised in return. (Sanchez A. 2015) Ants and plants also interact closer to home, sometimes in our own back gardens.
Peonies dotted with ants have often been sprayed with pesticides by humans out of fear of the ants destroying them. However, studies have shown peonies are in fact myrmecophytes, plants which possess structures associated with colonies of ants. Ants crawl over the sepals of the peony drinking the nectar produced by the plant. Consequently, the ants loosen the waxy outer folds of the flower, helping it to open. (Lake N. 2005) This interaction leads to a greater population of both ants and peonies as the relationship aids both species’ …show more content…
Ants use the seeds as a food source and in turn the seeds are protected during forest fires, which are common in the arid climate of Australia. Some seeds from plants, such as desert raisins and jack pine, actually require very hot temperatures or smoke in order to germinate. (Thuiller, Slingsby, cowling, Privett 2007) Forest fires eliminate competition allowing these plants to quickly revive. Ants also get protection from forest fires by living in the inner trunk of the trees. An example of an ant to plant relationship such as this is the Melophorus ant and the Red flowering gum tree. (Marsh
Evolution of this mutualism comes down to the evolution of angiosperm plants. Angiosperms are essentially …show more content…
The ants’ behaviour gives the tree its nickname, ‘Novice Tree’, because only someone unfamiliar with the tree would dare to touch it. In return for being fed and housed in ‘domatia’ or swollen bulbs, the ants protect the tree from encroaching plants and herbivores using a stinger. In the rainforest, light and space are in short supply due to intense vegetation growth. The ants provide the novice tree with a ‘garden’ of space by cutting away any intruding vegetation. This ensures the ant’s food source is maximised in return. (Sanchez A. 2015) Ants and plants also interact closer to home, sometimes in our own back gardens.
Peonies dotted with ants have often been sprayed with pesticides by humans out of fear of the ants destroying them. However, studies have shown peonies are in fact myrmecophytes, plants which possess structures associated with colonies of ants. Ants crawl over the sepals of the peony drinking the nectar produced by the plant. Consequently, the ants loosen the waxy outer folds of the flower, helping it to open. (Lake N. 2005) This interaction leads to a greater population of both ants and peonies as the relationship aids both species’ …show more content…
Ants use the seeds as a food source and in turn the seeds are protected during forest fires, which are common in the arid climate of Australia. Some seeds from plants, such as desert raisins and jack pine, actually require very hot temperatures or smoke in order to germinate. (Thuiller, Slingsby, cowling, Privett 2007) Forest fires eliminate competition allowing these plants to quickly revive. Ants also get protection from forest fires by living in the inner trunk of the trees. An example of an ant to plant relationship such as this is the Melophorus ant and the Red flowering gum tree. (Marsh