Summary.
In central Mexico, the ant Brachymyrmex obscurior Forel feeds on nectar produced by extrafloral nectaries of Acacia pennatula (Schlecht. & Cham.) Benth. However, no studies have determined whether the ant’s visitation is related to plant nectar availability and whether ants protect A. pennatula from herbivory. The objectives of this 2-yr study (2000–2001) were to assess whether seasonal changes in ant visitation coincide with extrafloral nectar productivity in A. pennatula and to determine whether ants protect the plant. At the end of the dry season (April–June) B. obscurior was the only ant species on A. pennatula and extrafloral nectar production is limited to this period. Exclusion experiments, performed at the end of the dry season showed that A. pennatula did not receive a protective benefit when visited by ants. Branches with ants and branches where ants are excluded had similar numbers of the nonmyrmecophile leafhopper Sibovia sp. which was the only herbivore observed under natural conditions.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Received 24 March 2004; revised 4 September 2004; accepted 8 September 2004.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Moya-Raygoza, G. Relationships between the ant Brachymyrmex obscurior (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) and Acacia pennatula (Fabaceae). Insectes Soc. 52, 105–107 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-004-0777-6
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-004-0777-6