Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Pollination by ants: a low-energy system.

J C Hickman

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |June 21, 1974
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Polygonum cascadense is cross-pollinated by Formica argentea ants. This study suggests some plants thought to be ant-pollinated may not be, and ant-pollination involves minimal energy for both species.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Endomycorrhizal role for interspecific transfer of phosphorus in a community of annual plants.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·1982
    Same author

    Science and religion.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·1982
    Same author

    On the use of partial life expectancies in setting health goals.

    American journal of public health and the nation's health·1969
    Same journal

    Erratum for the Research Article "Detecting supramolecular organic nanoparticles during heat wave".

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    Local signals, systemic decline.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    The mechanics of liver regeneration.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    Computing in a memory with physics.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    Retraction.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    Making time.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    See all related articles

    Area of Science:

    • Botany
    • Entomology
    • Ecology

    Background:

    • Ants are increasingly recognized as pollinators in various ecosystems.
    • Understanding plant-pollinator interactions is crucial for biodiversity and conservation.
    • Polygonum cascadense is a small, annual plant with apparent self-incompatibility.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the pollination mechanism of Polygonum cascadense.
    • To determine the role of Formica argentea ants in the cross-pollination of this plant.
    • To evaluate traits associated with ant pollination in other plant species.

    Main Methods:

    • Observational studies of Polygonum cascadense and Formica argentea interactions.
    • Comparative analysis of floral traits in purported ant-pollinated plants.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Assessment of energy expenditure in ant-plant pollination systems.

    • Main Results:

    • Polygonum cascadense is regularly cross-pollinated by the ant Formica argentea.
    • Not all plants with traits favoring ant pollination are necessarily pollinated by ants.
    • Ant-pollination interactions are characterized by low energy expenditure for both ants and plants.

    Conclusions:

    • Formica argentea is a confirmed pollinator for Polygonum cascadense.
    • The study highlights the specificity and efficiency of certain ant-plant pollination systems.
    • Further research is needed to clarify the extent of ant pollination across diverse plant species.