Abstract
Abstract Heterotrophic plants normally produce a vast number of dust‐like seeds containing minimal energy reserves, which are usually wind dispersed. However, some heterotrophic species have evolved adaptive strategies to use zoochorous seed dispersal. Seed dispersal by ants, known as myrmecochory, is one of the most widespread animal dispersal systems and has been reported in a diverse range of plant taxa. However, the combination of myrmecochory and heterotrophy seems to be very rare. Here I report the discovery of myrmecochory in the hemiparasitic plant T hesium chinense by T etramorium tsushimae and P ristomyrmex punctatus . Myrmecochory would be an advantageous dispersal system for T . chinense because its fruits are quickly transferred to the ants' nests, which provide a refuge from the seed predator C anthophorus niveimarginatus . Myrmecochory is also potentially beneficial for T . chinense , as the nests of these ants are frequently located close to poaceous plants, which are the preferred hosts.
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Claims 4
Claim · model-written summary
Myrmecochory was discovered in T hesium chinense through T etramorium tsushimae.
Verbatim
e0“Here I report the discovery of myrmecochory in the hemiparasitic plant T hesium chinense by T etramorium tsushimae and P ristomyrmex punctatus .”
Claim · model-written summary
Myrmecochory was discovered in T hesium chinense through P ristomyrmex punctatus.
Verbatim
e0“Here I report the discovery of myrmecochory in the hemiparasitic plant T hesium chinense by T etramorium tsushimae and P ristomyrmex punctatus .”
Claim · model-written summary
Ant nests may protect T . chinense fruit from a seed predator through rapid transfer.
Verbatim
e0“Myrmecochory would be an advantageous dispersal system for T . chinense because its fruits are quickly transferred to the ants' nests, which provide a refuge from the seed predator C anthophorus niveimarginatus .”
Claim · model-written summary
Ant nest placement near preferred poaceous hosts may benefit T . chinense.
Verbatim
e0“Myrmecochory is also potentially beneficial for T . chinense , as the nests of these ants are frequently located close to poaceous plants, which are the preferred hosts.”