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Acacia, Bullhorn, ant created break, closeup

Bullhorn acacia and ant mutualism: ant-cleared area around tree, Costa Rica. This is one of the most famous mutualisms of all, the Pseudomyrmex ant and Acacia tree mutualism. The ants defend these small trees against herbivorous insects and vertebrates. The ants also chew away and sting any encroaching plants, clearing an area that may be up to 4 yd (4 m)in radius, as can be seen in this image. In return, the plants give the ants food, including protein- and lipid-filled yellow Beltian bodies, and nectar from extra-floral nectaries. The Beltian bodies are produced on the youngest and most delicate leaves. The plants also produce thorns that the ants hollow out for nests.

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title Acacia, Bullhorn, ant_created_break, closeup, EL_DP165

group Acacia and Pseudomyrmex

common name Acacia, Bullhorn;Ant, Acacia

scientific name Acacia;Pseudomyrmex spinicola

taxonomic group Fabaceae;Formicidae

continent North America

country Costa Rica

source Dan L. Perlman

Ecosystems Forests

Forests Tropical dry forest

Ecological interactions Mutualism

Mutualism Ants and plants

Behavior Territorial

Organisms Animals

Animals Insects

Plants Endangered ecosystems

Lessons Mutualisms

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