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Reaction of Mutualistic and Granivorous Ants to Ulex Elaiosome Chemicals

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Abstract

It has been proposed that chemicals on plant elaiosomes aid seed detection by seed-dispersing ants. We hypothesized that the chemical interaction between ants and elaiosomes is more intimate than a generic attraction, and that elaiosome chemicals will attract mutualistic but not granivorous ant species. We investigated this by using two gorse species, Ulex minor and U. europaeus, and two associated ant species from European heathlands, the mutualist Myrmica ruginodis and the granivore Tetramorium caespitum. Behavioral studies were conducted with laboratory nests and foraging arenas. Both ants will take Ulex seeds, but while M. ruginodis showed increased antennation toward ether extracts of elaiosome surface chemicals compared with controls, T. caespitum showed no response. Elaiosome extracts were separated into seven lipid fractions. M. ruginodis showed increased antennation only toward the diglyceride fractions of both Ulex species, whereas T. caespitum showed no consistent reaction. This indicates that M. ruginodis can detect the elaiosome by responding to its surface chemicals, but T. caespitum is unresponsive to these chemicals. Responses to surface chemicals could increase the rate of seed detection in the field, and so these results suggest that Ulex elaiosomes produce chemicals that facilitate attraction of mutualistic rather than granivorous ant species. This could reduce seed predation and increase Ulex fitness.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Sophie Everett, Andrew Worgan, and Emma Napper for help and advice with the chemical protocols; Michael Fenner and Judith Wardlaw for criticisms; and Francis Haynes for her help. Two anonymous referees gave useful criticisms. This study was funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council research studentship to Nicola Gammans, NER/S/A/2002/11078.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, CEH Dorset, Winfrith Technology Centre, Dorchester, DT2 8ZD, UK

    Nicola Gammans, James M. Bullock, Hannah Gibbons & Karsten Schönrogge

  2. Biological Sciences, Southampton University, Boldrewood Campus, Bassett Crescent East, Southampton, SO16 7PX, UK

    Nicola Gammans

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  1. Nicola Gammans
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  2. James M. Bullock
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  3. Hannah Gibbons
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  4. Karsten Schönrogge
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Correspondence to James M. Bullock.

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Gammans, N., Bullock, J., Gibbons, H. et al. Reaction of Mutualistic and Granivorous Ants to Ulex Elaiosome Chemicals. J Chem Ecol 32, 1935–1947 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-006-9119-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-006-9119-7

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