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EXTRAFLORAL NECTAR OF FEROCACTUS ACANTHODES (CACTACEAE): COMPOSITION AND ITS IMPORTANCE TO ANTS
Author(s) -
Ruffner George A.,
Clark W. Dennis
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1986.tb08519.x
Subject(s) - nectar , cactus , biology , botany , barrel (horology) , fructose , pollen , food science , materials science , composite material
Ants are attracted to extrafloral nectaries subtending reproductive organs of Ferocactus acanthodes var. lecontei (Cactaceae) in central Arizona. Extrafloral nectar produced by these glands contained amino acids, sugars, and water. Nectar quality and composition varied temporally in relation to plant reproductive phenology. The number of nectar glands on a barrel cactus did not change significantly, however; the mass of nectar produced per gland increased significantly with immature fruit production. Of the three sugars present in extrafloral nectar (fructose, glucose, and sucrose), only glucose occurred at a higher concentration in June, when immature fruits first appeared on barrel cactus. Amino acid concentration and composition in extrafloral nectar of barrel cactus did not change significantly over time. Ant density on barrel cactus increased significantly from mid‐May to mid‐June at two field sites. Water availability per nectar gland increased 158% from May to June. Water plays an important role in attracting ants to barrel cacti.