American Journal of Botany · 1989 · 29 citations · 0 references
Life SciencesEntomologyPlant SciencesInsect EcologyInsect PhysiologyPlant NutritionFeeding PhysiologyHerbivory EcologyInsect-plant InteractionsPlant MetabolismPlant-insect Chemical InteractionsAnt Foraging BehaviorAnt-plant InteractionsMineral Nutrient UptakePlant Nutrition PhysiologyPlant Tissue SamplingPlant-animal Interactions
The hollow pseudobulbs of Schomburgkia tibicinis (Orchidaceae; Central America) serve as domatia for many species of ants. The ants pack many of the pseudobulbs with debris including dead insects, plant material, and sand. Ants were fed 14C-labelled D-glucose in honey, killed, and placed in the pseudobulbs for up to eight weeks. Samples of plant tissue were harvested and tested for radioactivity after 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. The labelled material had moved into various parts of the plant and demonstrated direct nutrient uptake.