Abstract
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.
Highlights
In tropical environments, several plants are dispersed by animals (Schupp et al, 2010)
All ants found removing G. guidonia sarcotesta on the trays belonged to a single species of the genus Solenopsis
This positive effect of removal of the aril or other seed parts by ants had already been observed in previous studies with other plant species
Summary
Several plants are dispersed by animals (Schupp et al, 2010). Ants are among the common tropical dispersers, especially in ecologically degraded environments (Henao-Gallego et al, 2012). They interact with a broad variety of fruits and seeds while foraging for pulp or aril and as a result promote seed dispersal (Christianini & Oliveira, 2010; Christianini et al., 2012; Escobar-Ramírez et al, 2012; Bieber et al, 2013; Lima et al, 2013; Santana et al, 2013; Gallegos et al, 2014).
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