Role of floral nectaries and plant sex in mediating ant-aphid interactions on <i>Valeriana edulis</i>
Abstract
Multi-species interactions profoundly affect community composition and function of ecosystems. Foraging behavior and resource allocation are two key factors that determine how species interact. This study investigates the role of floral nectaries and plant sex in mediating ant-aphid interactions on the dioecious plant Valeriana edulis. Male and female plants were selected in a paired experiment, with one control and one “exclusion” flowering stalk per plant. Open flowers of exclusion stalks were glued closed to deny ants’ access to floral nectar as a food resource. No effect of nectary exclusion was found, but plant sex and aphid abundance were important factors in determining ant visitation to experimental plants. Consistent with previous studies on this system, ant visitation was greater on female plants. Despite lower ant visitation on males, a trend suggested higher aphid-tending by ants on male plants. Both results elicit further investigation into resource quality and quantity as mediators of this ant-aphid interaction. Key Words ants, aphids, floral nectar, species interactions, Valeriana edulis
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