Ants Promote Germination of the Tree Guarea guidonia by Cleaning its Seeds
Tipo de material:
ArtigoAssunto(s): Recursos online:
Em: Floresta e Ambiente (Brazil) v. 26(3) p. 1-7; (2019)Sumário:
ABSTRACT
Ants interact with seeds, and frequently remove their appendages. This work aimed to evaluate
the effect of ants on the germination of Guarea guidonia (Meliaceae) seeds through removing the
fleshy tissue of their integument (sarcotesta). The seeds were subjected to the following treatments:
control (no sarcotesta removal), manual removal, and removal by ants. The results show that
germination percentage and time varied among treatments, with removal by ants showing the
highest percentage within the shortest possible time. The positive effect of sarcotesta removal
by ants points to a possible action of anti-fungal substances. As germination is an essential step
for recruitment, ant activity may be important to the regeneration of a deforested area. Further
studies should consider germination experiments under natural conditions in order to increase
the understanding on plant development.
Keywords: ant-plant interaction, recruitment, seed germination, Solenopsis, Atlantic Forest.
| Tipo de material | Biblioteca atual | Coleção | Número de chamada | Informaçaõ do volume | Situação | Devolução em | Código de barras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Periódicos
|
Biblioteca Nacional de Agricultura - Binagri Agrobase - Periódicos | Periódicos agrícolas | 2019 26(3) | Online | 2025-0451 |
Publicação on-line; 38 ref.; 3 illus.; Summary (En)
ABSTRACT
Ants interact with seeds, and frequently remove their appendages. This work aimed to evaluate
the effect of ants on the germination of Guarea guidonia (Meliaceae) seeds through removing the
fleshy tissue of their integument (sarcotesta). The seeds were subjected to the following treatments:
control (no sarcotesta removal), manual removal, and removal by ants. The results show that
germination percentage and time varied among treatments, with removal by ants showing the
highest percentage within the shortest possible time. The positive effect of sarcotesta removal
by ants points to a possible action of anti-fungal substances. As germination is an essential step
for recruitment, ant activity may be important to the regeneration of a deforested area. Further
studies should consider germination experiments under natural conditions in order to increase
the understanding on plant development.
Keywords: ant-plant interaction, recruitment, seed germination, Solenopsis, Atlantic Forest.
BINAGRI