A potential ant-hemiptera-plant mutualism on Lorostemon coelhoi (Clusiaceae) in the Brazilian Amazon

ABSTRACT Interactions among organisms are important in ecosystem functioning and relevant for the management and conservation of species. Here we report the first record of a potential ant-hemiptera-plant mutualism on Lorostemon coelhoi (Clusiaceae) in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil. Our observation...

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Main Authors: Silvia Larissa FERREIRA-SILVA, Michael G. J. HOPKINS, Thiago M. MOUZINHO, Rosaly A. ROCHA, Lucas C. MARINHO
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia 2025-04-01
Series:Acta Amazonica
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Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0044-59672025000101203&lng=en&tlng=en
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author Silvia Larissa FERREIRA-SILVA
Michael G. J. HOPKINS
Thiago M. MOUZINHO
Rosaly A. ROCHA
Lucas C. MARINHO
author_facet Silvia Larissa FERREIRA-SILVA
Michael G. J. HOPKINS
Thiago M. MOUZINHO
Rosaly A. ROCHA
Lucas C. MARINHO
author_sort Silvia Larissa FERREIRA-SILVA
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Interactions among organisms are important in ecosystem functioning and relevant for the management and conservation of species. Here we report the first record of a potential ant-hemiptera-plant mutualism on Lorostemon coelhoi (Clusiaceae) in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil. Our observations on five trees indicated that the presence of hemiptera nymphs diverted ants from damaging flower buds while looking for nectar, because the nymphs secrete honeydew, which is collected by the ants instead. Trees without hemiptera nymphs produced less fruit due to damage to flower buds by ants. The observation suggests the occurrence of a tripartite mutualistic interaction among these organisms that represent three trophic levels. The absence of hemiptera nymphs could directly affect the reproductive success of the plant by increasing the predation of flower buds by ants. The interaction deserves further investigation.
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issn 0044-5967
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publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia
record_format Article
series Acta Amazonica
spelling doaj-art-dce930c2c8f44eee9046e001323ab56a2025-08-20T03:52:32ZengInstituto Nacional de Pesquisas da AmazôniaActa Amazonica0044-59672025-04-015510.1590/1809-4392202302501A potential ant-hemiptera-plant mutualism on Lorostemon coelhoi (Clusiaceae) in the Brazilian AmazonSilvia Larissa FERREIRA-SILVAhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0290-8990Michael G. J. HOPKINSThiago M. MOUZINHORosaly A. ROCHALucas C. MARINHOhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1263-3414ABSTRACT Interactions among organisms are important in ecosystem functioning and relevant for the management and conservation of species. Here we report the first record of a potential ant-hemiptera-plant mutualism on Lorostemon coelhoi (Clusiaceae) in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil. Our observations on five trees indicated that the presence of hemiptera nymphs diverted ants from damaging flower buds while looking for nectar, because the nymphs secrete honeydew, which is collected by the ants instead. Trees without hemiptera nymphs produced less fruit due to damage to flower buds by ants. The observation suggests the occurrence of a tripartite mutualistic interaction among these organisms that represent three trophic levels. The absence of hemiptera nymphs could directly affect the reproductive success of the plant by increasing the predation of flower buds by ants. The interaction deserves further investigation.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0044-59672025000101203&lng=en&tlng=enanimal-plant interactionhoneydewmutualismpredationtribe Symphonieae
spellingShingle Silvia Larissa FERREIRA-SILVA
Michael G. J. HOPKINS
Thiago M. MOUZINHO
Rosaly A. ROCHA
Lucas C. MARINHO
A potential ant-hemiptera-plant mutualism on Lorostemon coelhoi (Clusiaceae) in the Brazilian Amazon
Acta Amazonica
animal-plant interaction
honeydew
mutualism
predation
tribe Symphonieae
title A potential ant-hemiptera-plant mutualism on Lorostemon coelhoi (Clusiaceae) in the Brazilian Amazon
title_full A potential ant-hemiptera-plant mutualism on Lorostemon coelhoi (Clusiaceae) in the Brazilian Amazon
title_fullStr A potential ant-hemiptera-plant mutualism on Lorostemon coelhoi (Clusiaceae) in the Brazilian Amazon
title_full_unstemmed A potential ant-hemiptera-plant mutualism on Lorostemon coelhoi (Clusiaceae) in the Brazilian Amazon
title_short A potential ant-hemiptera-plant mutualism on Lorostemon coelhoi (Clusiaceae) in the Brazilian Amazon
title_sort potential ant hemiptera plant mutualism on lorostemon coelhoi clusiaceae in the brazilian amazon
topic animal-plant interaction
honeydew
mutualism
predation
tribe Symphonieae
url http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0044-59672025000101203&lng=en&tlng=en
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