First Record of Pseudomyrmex acanthobius Emery in Brazilian Pantanal

Rodrigo Aranda; Renan Olivier; Alexandre Ferraro

doi:10.12741/ebrasilis.v9i1.535

Authors

Rodrigo Aranda Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul
Renan Olivier Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Laboratório de Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul – UFMS, CEP 79070-900, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil.
Alexandre Ferraro Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul – UFMS, CEP 79070-900, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12741/ebrasilis.v9i1.535

Keywords:

Asteraceae, Aspilia grazielae, Interaction, Pseudomyrmicinae, Xylopodium

Abstract

Abstract. Associations between ants and plants may be described, in some cases, as mutualisms. Ants use plant structures as sites for nesting and in return they offer protection against herbivory. This paper reports for the first time the association between Pseudomyrmex acanthobius Emery nest in subterranean structures of Aspilia grazielae J.U.Santos, an endangered endemic plant species, in Corumbá, Pantanal domain. Additionally, this record reveals a new aspect of the ecological niche and extends the geographic distribution of P. acanthobius.

Primeiro Registro de Pseudomyrmex acanthobius Emery no Pantanal Brasileiro

Resumo. A associação entre formigas e plantas pode ser descrita em alguns casos como mutualismo. Estruturas de plantas, como locais de nidificação, atraem algumas espécies de formigas em troca da proteção anti-herbivoria. Este trabalho registra pela primeira vez a nidificação de Pseudomyrmex acanthobius Emery em estrutura subterrânea de Aspilia grazielae J.U.Santos, espécie endêmica e ameaçada de extinção na região de Corumbá, no domínio Pantanal. Adicionalmente, esse registro revela nova amplitude do nicho ecológico e amplia a distribuição geográfica prevista de P. acanthobius.

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