Chapter 14 Symbioses Between Ants and Plants Summary

This chapter considers symbiosis between ants and plants, concluding the theme of species communities, which began in chapter 11. The various types of ant-plant symbioses are briefly discussed. Seventeen topic-specific terms are listed and defined in the context of ant-plant symbiosis. The historical understanding of Acacia symbiosis is described - the modern interpretation is for a mutualistic symbiosis. Ants commonly protect the plants in which the ants nest; in return the plants offer shelter and food. This particular symbiosis is well studied, well understood, and very widespread in certain geographical areas.

A large chart summarizes known ant-plant symbioses, with a focus on plants-as-shelter, organized by geographic area (including American Tropics; Africa; and Tropical Asia, Oceania, and Australia) and plant family. The chart lists both the plant's adaptations and the ant species typically involved. Several...