Dynamics of the association between a long-lived understory myrmecophyte and its specific associated ants

Myrmecophytic symbioses are widespread in tropical ecosystems and their diversity makes them useful tools for understanding the origin and evolution of mutualisms. Obligate ant–plants, or myrmecophytes, provide a nesting place, and, often, food to a limited number of plant–ant species. In exchange, plant–ants protect their host plants from herbivores, competitors and pathogens, and can provide them with nutrients

Ne m’oubliez pas…

Quilichini Angélique. Ne m’oubliez pas…. In: Ecologia mediterranea, tome 30 n°2, 2004. pp. 235-236

Évolution des systèmes de pollinisation chez les Aracées

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Pollination ecology of Arum italicum (Araceae).

International audienceThe pollination ecology of Arum italicum was studied in south-western France. This plant attracts olfactory dung-breeding flies through deceit. These insects are principally represented by Diptera, all belonging to saprophyte families. The volatilization of the odouriferous compounds, responsible for their attraction, is achieved through the production of heat by the appendix. The insects are trapped for 24 h in order to participate in both sexual phases of the protogynous inflorescence. The male flowers produce three heat events during flowering. These peaks of heat seem to be involved in the spathe movements, since they occur during the opening of the inflorescence and the liberation of the insects. The last male heat event may be linked with the liberation of pollen and its dispersion by stimulating trapped flies. According to their frequency and pollen-load, two Psychoda species appear to be the most efficient pollinators (P. crassipenis and P. pusilla). Nevertheless, each of the other attracted species could play a significant role under different spatio-temporal conditions. Experiments on self-pollination have shown that obligate cross-pollination is necessary for A. italicum to set seeds. Moreover, hand- and natural-pollinated plants showedsimilarly high abortion frequencies suggesting that seed set may be more constrained by resources rather than by pollination limitation

Stabilité évolutive des mutualismes et mécanismes de contrôle (le cas d'une relation plante-fourmis)

TOULOUSE3-BU Sciences (315552104) / SudocSudocFranceF

Interaction between a threatened endemic plant (Anchusa crispa) and the invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile)

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