Pollination by ants: concepts, evidences and future directions.

Abstract

de Vega, C., Gómez, J.M. 2014. Pollination by ants: concepts, evidences and future directions. Ecosistemas 23(3): 48-57. Doi.: 10.7818/ECOS.2014.23-3.07

Relationships between ants and plants have a long evolutionary history that span a continuum from mutualism to antagonism. Traditionally, the activity of ants at flowers has been considered to be negative, sometimes based in classic assumptions lacking a solid empiric base. However, a growing number of studies are highlighting the positive role of ants as pollinators of plants, which demands a revaluation of earlier overviews. In this paper we review ant-flower interactions, focusing on pollination. We expose a reassessment of classic theories, the ant-pollination syndrome, the few cases of ant-pollinated plants described to date and numerous new examples of plants potentially pollinated by ants. Further, new theories about the importance of chemical signals for ant-plant interactions are discussed, as well as challenges and future directions for the study of these mutualistic interactions.