Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: KARLA MONIQUE SILVA CARNEIRO

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
DISCENTE : KARLA MONIQUE SILVA CARNEIRO
DATA : 13/12/2019
HORA: 14:00
LOCAL: Sala de aulas do PPGEC
TÍTULO:

Effect of ant guards on the reproductive output of four myrmecophilic plant species

PALAVRAS-CHAVES:

Camponotus, Cochlospermum, extrafloral nectar, Peixotoa, Vigna

PÁGINAS: 36
GRANDE ÁREA: Ciências Biológicas
ÁREA: Ecologia
SUBÁREA: Ecologia de Ecossistemas
RESUMO:

In plant-ant interactions, plants provide extrafloral nectar as a food resource for ants and the latter act as plant guards. Issue less explored in ant-plant studies are (i) the distribution of ants on plant parts; (ii) the ant-plant mutualism on harsh seasons, such as Cerrado’s dry period; and (iii) the effect of ants on fruit set (in comparison to folivory). Here, by assigning plants as either ant-present or absent, we investigated the influence of ants on the fruit production of Bionia coriacea, Cochlospermum regium, Peixotoa tomentosa and Vigna firmula, all of which bloom during the Cerrado’s dry period (May to August). In these plants, the extrafloral nectar season coincides with the flowering phenology. We also recorded the spatial segregation of ants (on extrafloral nectaries, leaves, flowers, stem, buds and fruits) in order to examine its distribution pattern along the day. Camponotus crassus was the only ant species that consistently visited the plants. In general, a marked spatial segregation was noted, with ant visits concentrated on extrafloral nectaries. Ants rarely visited reproductive structure, but even so, ant presence on plants was related with increased fruit set. Plant species with ants experienced up to 55% gains in fruit set, in comparison to ant-absent treatments; nonetheless, in B. coriaceum, ant presence decreased fruit set by 11%. Our data shows that the outcomes of ant-plant relationships cannot be generalized, but in general, ants do benefit their plant partners. To conclude, we report two all new extrafloral nectary plants, C. regium and V. firmula.

MEMBROS DA BANCA:
Presidente - 132029001 - EDDIE LENZA DE OLIVEIRA
Externo ao Programa - 200202003 - PAULO SERGIO MORANDI
Externo à Instituição - HALINA SOARES JANCOSKI - UNEMAT
Externo à Instituição - EDUARDO CALIXTO SOARES - USP