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Myrmecophytes, realistically

Started By Stubyvast , Sep 9 2024 5:55 PM
myrmecophytes ant plants plant symbiosis

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#1 Offline Stubyvast - Posted September 9 2024 - 5:55 PM

Stubyvast

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Hey everyone! 

I was recently doing a biology 11 class, and it occurred to me that I haven't heard of anyone actively raising ants in ant-plants, or myrmecophytes. These plants are specialized to feed and provide food for ants, in return for a variety of benefits, such as reproduction, defence, and even, in some cases, food. 

So I was wondering, has this ever been done in a contained environment, and have any of you ever done this? Is this realistically plausible? Let me know your thoughts!


Currently raising: 

Myrmica rubra (1 queen +  ~5 workers)

Lasius niger (single queen + ~90+ workers)

Lasius neoniger (3 single queen + brood)

Formica spp. (Queen [likely parasitic, needs brood])

Formica pacifica (Queen)

Also keeping a friend's tetramorium immigrans for the foreseeable future. Thanks CoffeBlock!

#2 Offline Leo - Posted September 9 2024 - 6:26 PM

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I have a Hydnophytum moseleyanum I'm growing at home that is inhabited by a colony of Tetramorium. I've also been looking to purchase a few ant ferns but haven't gotten around to doing so.

I believe the more specialized Myrmecophytes may require specific host species (e.g. Cecropia), but it is likely that most myrmecophytic plants can be raised in captivity with or without their host colonies.


Edited by Leo, September 9 2024 - 8:49 PM.

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Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: myrmecophytes, ant plants, plant, symbiosis

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