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Abstract:

Harvester ants play an important ecological role as seed consumers in arid areas. We performed choice experiments to study preferences of Pogonomyrmex rastratus (Mayr), Pogonomyrmex mendozanus (Cuezzo & Claver), and Pogonomyrmex inermis (Forel) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) for seeds of six native species (three grasses, two forbs, and a shrub) in the central Monte desert, Argentina. We hypothesized that ant diet composition would reflect ant preferences. Thus, based on previous ant diet studies, we expected that 1) the three species would prefer grass to nongrass seeds, 2) P. inermis would have a lower preference for nongrass seeds than P. rastratus and P. mendozanus and 3) relative abundance of seeds in the diet would be positively associated with relative preference. In general, relative abundance of seeds in the diet was positively associated with relative preferences. Ants preferred grass seeds, but P. inermis did not have a lower preference for nongrass seeds. We also analyzed the relationship between preferences for seeds of the six species and their size and morphology, and we found higher preferences for seeds of intermediate size but no relationship with seed morphology. The overall match between seed preferences and diet composition could increase the chances of ants affecting the abundance and composition of some seed resources in the Monte desert, with important community implications. © 2011 Entomological Society of America.

Registro:

Documento: Artículo
Título:Seed preferences of three harvester ants of the genus pogonomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Monte desert: Are they reflected in the diet?
Autor:Pirk, G.I.; Casenave, J.L.D.
Filiación:Grupo de Investigación en Ecología de Comunidades de Desierto, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Piso 4, Pab. 2, C. Universitaria, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina
LaboratorioEcotono, INIBIOMA, CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Pasaje Gutiérrez 1125, 8400 Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
Palabras clave:Ant-seed interaction; choice experiments; desert communities; diet; granivory; ant; behavioral response; diet; food preference; granivory; grass; morphology; native species; relative abundance; seed predation; Argentina; Mendoza; Monte Desert; Formicidae; Hymenoptera; Poaceae; Pogonomyrmex; Pogonomyrmex inermis; Pogonomyrmex rastratus
Año:2011
Volumen:104
Número:2
Página de inicio:212
Página de fin:220
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/AN10093
Título revista:Annals of the Entomological Society of America
Título revista abreviado:Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am.
ISSN:00138746
CODEN:AESAA
Registro:https://bibliotecadigital.exactas.uba.ar/collection/paper/document/paper_00138746_v104_n2_p212_Pirk

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Citas:

---------- APA ----------
Pirk, G.I. & Casenave, J.L.D. (2011) . Seed preferences of three harvester ants of the genus pogonomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Monte desert: Are they reflected in the diet?. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 104(2), 212-220.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/AN10093
---------- CHICAGO ----------
Pirk, G.I., Casenave, J.L.D. "Seed preferences of three harvester ants of the genus pogonomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Monte desert: Are they reflected in the diet?" . Annals of the Entomological Society of America 104, no. 2 (2011) : 212-220.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/AN10093
---------- MLA ----------
Pirk, G.I., Casenave, J.L.D. "Seed preferences of three harvester ants of the genus pogonomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Monte desert: Are they reflected in the diet?" . Annals of the Entomological Society of America, vol. 104, no. 2, 2011, pp. 212-220.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/AN10093
---------- VANCOUVER ----------
Pirk, G.I., Casenave, J.L.D. Seed preferences of three harvester ants of the genus pogonomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Monte desert: Are they reflected in the diet?. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 2011;104(2):212-220.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/AN10093