Seed removal by ants from faeces produced by different vertebrate species

Ants frequently harvest seeds from faeces of frugivorous vertebrates. By transporting these seeds to nests, ants may influence seed dispersal success of plants. Seed removal by ants from vertebrate faeces is influenced by the seed species involved. Faeces from different vertebrates differ in chemical composition and physical characteristics. It remains unclear, however, whether the faeces itself affects the ant-seed interaction. In this study experimental seed-containing faecal portions were prepared using defecations of birds, marsupials, and monkeys and seeds of two aroids (Philodendron corcovadense and P. ppendiculatum, Araceae) and one liana species (Schlegelia parviflora, Bignoniaceae). Faecal portions were arranged along a transect established in the understory of a lowland rainforest in southeast Brazil. For P. appendiculatum the probability of detection and the proportion of seeds removed were identical between marsupial and monkey faeces. For P. corcovadense and S. parviflora, the probability of detection was affected by seed species and, apparently, also by the interaction between seed species and type of faeces (P = 0.097), but not by the type of faeces itself (bird or monkey). Both factors (i.e., seed species and type of faeces) affected the proportion of seeds removed (faeces type was marginally significant; P = 0.08), whereas the interaction between them was not significant. The results indicate that seed species affects seed removal by ants, while the type of faeces probably interacts with seed traits to influence faeces detection.

Mites on Annonaceae species in northeast Brazil and in the state of Para

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Population trends of the red palm mite, raoiella indica hirst (acari: tenuipalpidae) and associated entomopathogenic fungi in trinidad, antigua, st kitts and nevis and dominica

A survey to determine population trends and entomopathogenic fungi associated with the red palm mite (RPM), Raoiella indica, was conducted in Trinidad, Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis and Dominica. RPM population density was evaluated by sampling a total of ten coconut palms per site in Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, and Trinidad (Manzanilla and Icacos). Mites from the four islands were either surface sterilized or left unsterilized before being cultured on Tap Water Agar (TWA). A total of 318 fungal colonies were retrieved. A further 96 mites from Dominica were kept on sterile moist filter paper in a humidity chamber and a further 85 colonies were isolated. Based on morphological observations of all 403 isolates, a sample consisting of 32 colonies (8 %) was sent for identification at CABI-UK. Of the 27 fungi positively identified, 15 isolates belonged to the genera Cladosporium, three to Simplicillium spp., and one to Penicillium. Other fungi genera with limited or no entomopathogenic potential included: Aspergillus, Cochliobolus, Fusarium, Pestalotiopsis and Pithomyces. The results show a potential use of entomopathogenic fungi for population management of the red palm mite in the Caribbean region.