Abstract
Plant communication abilities are the subject of intensive research. They have been particularly investigated in the context of signalling herbivore activity and responding to these signals. In this chapter, we review the current knowledge on communication between plants and ants in ant–plant symbioses. Chemistry is the preponderant channel in ant–plant communication. Communication is identified in five contexts: the selection of seeds by ants to sow ant-gardens, the detection of the host plant by founding queens, the discrimination of the host plant by the inhabiting ants to prune exogenous vegetation, the selective continuous patrolling on young shoots by workers and the damage-induced ant-mediated plant protection. Implications of communication for the evolutionary ecology of ant–plant symbioses are discussed and directions for future research are given.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
