Ant-Plant Mutualism in Mauritia flexuosa Palm Peat Swamp Forests: A Study of Host and Epiphyte Diversity in Ant Gardens

Quinteros-Gómez Y.; Macedo-Bedoya J.; Salinas-Inga A.; Anlas-Rosado F.; Santos-Linares V.; Alarcon-Iman G.; Gómez-Ticerán D.; Angeles-Alvarez F.; Olórtegui-Chamolí S.; Solis-Sarmiento J.; Jara-Peña E.; Monroy-Vilchis O. · Insects (2024) · DOI: 10.3390/insects15121011

Resumen

Ant gardens (AGs) constitute a sophisticated example of mutualism between ants and plants (myrmecochory), characterized by intricate interspecific relationships with vascular epiphytes. Our main aim was to characterize the epiphytes and their associated ants in the Tingana Reserve in San Martín, situated at 800 m. a.s.l. This unique and humid ecosystem, distinguished by its altitude and microclimate, is home to a diverse array of plant species, including aguaje (Mauritia flexuosa). The area falls within the distribution range of Neotropical AGs, and our results highlight the ecological significance of ant specificity in seed dispersal among the epiphytes of the Mauritia flexuosa peat swamp forest in Peruvian ecosystems.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos