Loss and gains in ant–plant interactions mediated by extrafloral nectar: fidelity, cheats, and lies

• Published in: Insectes sociaux Vol. 63; no. 2; pp. 207 - 221
• Main Authors: Del-Claro, K., Rico-Gray, V., Torezan-Silingardi, H. M., Alves-Silva, E., Fagundes, R., Lange, D., Dáttilo, W., Vilela, A. A., Aguirre, A., Rodriguez-Morales, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.05.2016
• Subjects: animals; Araneae; Biomedical and Life Sciences; climatic factors; coevolution; Entomology; flowering; Formicidae; host plants; Hymenoptera; Life Sciences; nectar; nectaries; phenology; pollination; Review Article; social insects; Herbivory; Ants; Predators; Mutualism; Myrmecophily; Ecological networks

All mutualistic plant–animal interactions are mediated by costs and benefits in relationships where resources (from plants) are exchanged by services (from animals). The most common trading coin that plants offer to pay for animal services is nectar; the main servers are hymenopterans. Extrafloral n...