Climate seasonality drives ant–plant–herbivore interactions via plant phenology in an extrafloral nectary‐bearing plant community

• Published in: The Journal of ecology Vol. 109; no. 2; pp. 639 - 651
• Main Authors: Calixto, Eduardo Soares, Novaes, Letícia Rodrigues, Santos, Danilo Ferreira Borges, Lange, Denise, Moreira, Xoaquín, Del‐Claro, Kleber, Züst, Tobias
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2021
• Subjects: Abiotic factors; Abundance; Ants; ant–plant interactions; biotic defence; Brazilian Cerrado; Carbohydrates; Climate; Extrafloral nectaries; Flowers; Herbivores; herbivory; indirect defence; Leaves; Mutualism; Nectar; Phenology; phenophases; Plant communities; Plant species; Plants; Rain; Rainfall; Rainy season; seasonal environment; Seasonal variations; Seasonality; Secretion; Symbiosis; Temperature effects; Temporal variations; Wet season

Interactions between ants and plants bearing extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) are among the most common mutualisms in Neotropical regions. Plants secrete extrafloral nectar, a carbohydrate‐rich food that attracts ants, which in return protect plants against herbivores. This ant–plant mutualism is subjec...