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Mutualistic ants as an indirect defence against leaf pathogens

Marcia González-Teuber1,2, Martin Kaltenpoth3, Wilhelm Boland1

  • 1Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Beutenberg Campus, Hans-Knoell-Strasse 8, D-07745, Jena, Germany.

The New Phytologist
|January 8, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Mutualistic ants protect host plants from bacterial pathogens, a role previously overlooked. This indirect defense mechanism involves ant-associated bacteria, enhancing plant health against disease.

Keywords:
ant protectionant-plant mutualismsepiphytic bacterial communitiesindirect defenceleaf pathogens

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