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Cecropia: Symbiosis with ants
Cecropia like this one are fast-growing pioneer plants found in tropical
regions of Latin America. They’re known as pioneers species because they’re the
first plants to move into any empty space in the forest, such as when an old tree
falls and dies. Of course, competition for space is fierce, but Cecropia
have a secret weapon: They cooperate with ants.
Cecropia’s stems have hollow chambers, somewhat like bamboo, that are often inhabited
by colonies of ants. These chambers have special thin-walled entryways that are
bitten through by the ants to gain access to the inside of the plant. In addition
to shelter, Cecropia also provides its insect tenants with food, producing
protein-rich nutrient bodies. You can recognize these regions of the plants as
light-colored raised areas below leaf attachments.
But why would Cecropia provide room and board for the ants?
The species of ants that colonize Cecropia are very aggressive, and vigorously
defend their homes. So the benefit is clear: almost no hungry animal is willing to risk
taking a nibble at the plant, and Cecropia can grow in peace. But even the ants
don’t scare off some creatures: Cecropia is a favorite food of sloths, which just
ignore the biting insects.
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Cecropia: Symbiosis with ants (MP3, 582 KB)
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