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Spatial structure of ant‐gardens: vertical distribution on host trees and succession/segregation of associated vascular epiphytes
Author(s) -
MoralesLinares Jonas,
GarcíaFranco José G.,
FloresPalacios Alejandro,
ValenzuelaGonzález Jorge E.,
MataRosas Martín,
DíazCastelazo Cecilia
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of vegetation science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1654-1103
pISSN - 1100-9233
DOI - 10.1111/jvs.12559
Subject(s) - epiphyte , biology , biological dispersal , ecology , host (biology) , bromeliaceae , spatial distribution , botany , ecological succession , polypodiaceae , colonization , geography , population , fern , demography , remote sensing , sociology
Questions Ant‐gardens ( AG s) involve a close association between epiphytes and ants with concurrent mutualistic interactions including protection, dispersal and nutrition; however, little is known about the spatial structure patterns that determine their establishment and formation. Our main questions were: (1) do AG s have a particular pattern of vertical distribution on their host trees; (2) does a process of succession of epiphytes occur during development of AG s; and (3) are epiphytes segregated in AG s? Location Anthropic landscape in southeast Mexico. Methods We studied AG s built by Azteca gnava ants. We examined their vertical distribution on host trees as well as the diversity, composition and reproductive status of vascular epiphytes associated with the lower, middle and upper zones of small, medium and large AG s. Results A total of 859 AG s and 10 871 epiphytes, belonging to 26 different species, were recorded. We found that AG s are primarily (75%) located within tree crowns, and that the diversity and composition of epiphytes vary among AG sizes and among AG zones. We infer that the epiphytes that first become established in AG s are the bromeliad Aechmea tillandsioides and the gesneriad Codonanthe uleana , followed by the orchid Epidendrum flexuosum and the cactus Epiphyllum phyllanthus ; these species were recorded, either individually or in co‐occurrence, in 74% of the AG s examined. The species Ae. tillandsioides , Coryanthes picturata and Epid. flexuosum were most frequent in the upper AG zone, while Epid. pachyrachis was most frequent in the middle AG zone. Conclusions Our results show that AG s have distinct vertical distribution patterns on their tree hosts and that the establishment of epiphytes in AG s is successive and segregated, suggesting spatial and temporal optimization in the establishment and development of these complex mutualistic systems.