Effects of the Trophobiont Herbivore Calloconophora pugionata (Hemiptera) on Ant Fauna Associated with Myrcia obovata (Myrtaceae) in a Montane Tropical Forest
Source
Issue
Vol. 2012, Issue 2012 (31 Dec. 2012), pp.1-8, 8 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2011-07-25
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
8
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Many studies have investigated the mechanisms behind the structure of arboreal ant assemblages.
In this study, the objective was to evaluate the effect of availability of honeydew-producing colonies of Calloconophora pugionata (Membracidae) on the structure of ant assemblages associated with the host plant Myrcia obovata (Myrtaceae) in an Atlantic forest of Minas Gerais (Brazil).
Our experiment consisted in a gradual exclusion of hemipteran colonies out of the host plant crown and further record of the ant assemblage response (species richness, composition, and occurrence) to the presence and density of treehopper colonies.
The hypothesis was that an increase in the number of trophobiont herbivores results in an increase in tending ant occurrence but a reduction in ant species diversity.
Results corroborated our main hypothesis: membracids had a positive effect on the occurrence of ants but negative on species richness.
Overall insect occurrence was also reduced with increasing in C.
pugionata colonies, probably due to strengthening dominant ant species territory sizes and intensification of patrolling.
American Psychological Association (APA)
2011. Effects of the Trophobiont Herbivore Calloconophora pugionata (Hemiptera) on Ant Fauna Associated with Myrcia obovata (Myrtaceae) in a Montane Tropical Forest. Psyche،Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-497778
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Effects of the Trophobiont Herbivore Calloconophora pugionata (Hemiptera) on Ant Fauna Associated with Myrcia obovata (Myrtaceae) in a Montane Tropical Forest. Psyche No. 2012 (2012), pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-497778
American Medical Association (AMA)
Effects of the Trophobiont Herbivore Calloconophora pugionata (Hemiptera) on Ant Fauna Associated with Myrcia obovata (Myrtaceae) in a Montane Tropical Forest. Psyche. 2011. Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-497778
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-497778