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Variation in ant-mediated seed dispersal along elevation gradients
Israel Del Toro1, Relena R Ribbons1
1Biology Department, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI, United States.
Peerj
|April 19, 2019
Summary
Seed removal rates by ants decrease with elevation. Ants dispersed seeds more effectively within their native elevation ranges, impacting plant and ant communities.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Ant-mediated seed dispersal (myrmecochory) is a crucial mutualism shaping plant and ant communities.
- Understanding how ant functional types influence seed removal across environmental gradients is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how elevation gradients affect seed removal rates by ants.
- To determine if seed species identity influences removal rates based on native elevation ranges.
Main Methods:
- A standardized seed removal experiment was conducted across elevation gradients in four mountain ranges in the southwestern United States.
- Seed removal rates were compared between lower and higher elevation sites.
- The influence of seed species' native elevation range on removal rates was assessed.
Main Results:
- Seed removal rates were approximately 25% higher at lower elevation sites compared to higher elevation sites.
- Seeds of *Datura* (low elevation) and *Iris* (high elevation) were removed at higher rates within their native elevation ranges.
- Observed differences are attributed to variations in ant community composition, functional diversity, and abundance.
Conclusions:
- Elevation gradients significantly impact ant-mediated seed dispersal rates.
- Ant community composition and environmental factors like temperature likely drive differences in seed removal.
- Seed dispersal effectiveness is influenced by the co-evolutionary relationship between seeds and ants within specific elevation ranges.
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