Evaluation of mutualism between Acacia mangium Willd (Mimosaceae) and ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

The mutualism between ants and plants consists of the protection of the tree for the ants against herbivores, that receive in exchange food or place for nest building. The objective of this research was to verify the relationship between Acacia mangium Willd and visiting ants. The study it was carried out in Cáceres, Mato Grosso, State, Brazil, 14 chosen plants of A. mangiumto perhaps in agroforestry systems. In each plant the foliar area consumed by herbivores through an answer sheet was measured, in four leaves /plant. The aggressiveness of the ants in relation to the herbivores was measured by the comment of the withdrawal of termite fixed in the plants for one hour. The relation among takes away takes away the leaves of A. mangium with abundance of ants and to the time retiredof termite were analyzed with multiple regression. The joined ants had been Crematogaster, Brachymyrmecini and Camponotus. It did not have relation between takes away the leaves average and the number of ants found on theplants. However, negative relation was evidenced between takes away the leaves and the time for the withdrawal of termite. Due to existence of aggressiveness of the ants before herbivores in the A. mangiumone concludes that this exotic species shelters native ants with defensive behavior. However, it is necessary to investigate if these ants receive in exchange source from food or place for nest building to characterize mutualism.