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Seed dispersal by hornets: An unusual insect‐plant mutualism
Author(s) -
Chen Gao,
Wang ZhengWei,
Qin Yan,
Sun WeiBang
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of integrative plant biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.734
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1744-7909
pISSN - 1672-9072
DOI - 10.1111/jipb.12568
Subject(s) - mutualism (biology) , seed dispersal , biological dispersal , biology , seed dispersal syndrome , ecology , insect , population , demography , sociology
Summary Vespicochory, seed dispersal by hornets, is a rare seed dispersal mechanism in angiosperms and, to date, there are few records of this phenomenon. Through field investigations and behavioral assays conducted in four populations of Stemona tuberosa from 2011–2016, we demonstrate that hornets are the primary seed dispersers of S. tuberosa and play an important role in “long‐distance” seed dispersal in this species. Furthermore, some ant species act as secondary dispersers and may transport the seeds to safe sites. Hornets and ants provide complementary seed dispersal at different spatial scales. This unique example of insect‐plant mutualism may be an underestimated but important strategy to ensure “long‐distance” seed dispersal in other myrmecochorous plants.