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Evidence of indirect biotic resistance: native ants decrease invasive plant fitness by enhancing aphid infestation.

Andrés M Devegili1, María N Lescano2, Ernesto Gianoli3,4

  • 1Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Hormigas (LIHO), Laboratorio Ecotono, INIBIOMA (CONICET-UNComa), Pasaje Gutiérrez 1125, C.P: 8400, S.C. de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina. andresdevegili@comahue-conicet.gob.ar.

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Aggressive native ants can help control invasive plants by protecting aphids, which harm the plants. This indirect biotic resistance mechanism shows how native species can hinder exotic plant invasions.

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Invasive Species Biology
  • Community Ecology

Background:

  • The biotic resistance hypothesis suggests native species can impede exotic invasions.
  • Aphid-tending ants can influence plant invasions indirectly through their interactions with aphids and herbivores.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of native aphid-tending ants in the indirect biotic resistance to the invasive nodding thistle (Carduus thoermeri).
  • To evaluate how ant species' interactions with aphids and weevils affect thistle seed set.

Main Methods:

  • Studied three native ant species (Dorymyrmex tener, Camponotus distinguendus, Dorymyrmex richteri) and their interactions with aphids (Brachycaudus cardui) and weevils (Rhinocyllus conicus) on invasive thistles.
  • Assessed ant aggressiveness towards aphid predators and weevils.
  • Conducted ant-exclusion experiments to determine ant effects on associated insects and thistle seed set.

Main Results:

  • Dorymyrmex tener exhibited the highest aggressiveness, effectively removing aphid predators but not impacting weevils.
  • Exclusion of D. tener led to increased thistle seed set.
  • A significant negative indirect effect of aggressive D. tener on thistle seed set was observed, mediated by aphid populations.

Conclusions:

  • Aggressive aphid-tending ants, like D. tener, can enhance indirect biotic resistance against invasive plants by increasing aphid infestations.
  • The study underscores the critical role of indirect interactions in modulating the success of invasive species.