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Article
Frequency-Dependent Seed Dispersal by Ants of Two Deciduous Forest Herbs
Ecology
  • Brent H. Smith, Earlham College
  • Catherine E. de Rivera, Portland State University
  • Cara Lin Bridgman, Earlham College
  • John J. Woid, Earlham College
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-1989
Subjects
  • Insect-plant relationships,
  • Ants -- Ecology,
  • Seeds -- Dispersal
Abstract

Two co—occurring deciduous forest myrmecochores, Asarum canadense and Jeffersonia diphylla, release their seeds at approximately the same time, and therefore potentially compete for ants as dispersers. Within a single woodlot, we placed seeds of both species inside a dense Jeffersonia population away from Asarum plants, inside a dense Asarum population away from Jeffersonia plants, and in a site where plants of neither species occurred. No preference was exhibited by ants where natural populations were absent. Preference at the other two sites was frequency dependent: ants preferred seeds of the introduced species. Species preferred by ants have higher seed and seedling survival because by being carried into ant nests they escape predation and avoid nutrient deficiency. Implications of frequency—dependent dispersal are discussed.

Rights
Copyright by the Ecological Society of America
Description

This is the publisher's final PDF. This article was originally published in Ecology and can be found online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1938098

DOI
10.2307/1938098
Persistent Identifier
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/12357
Citation Information
Brent H. Smith, Catherine E. deRivera, Cara Lin Bridgman, and John J. Woida 1989. Frequency-Dependent Seed Dispersal by Ants of Two Deciduous Forest Herbs. Ecology 70:1645–1648.