Glossary Details – Lecythidaceae

Glossary Details:

Title: Ant dispersal (mymecochory). Photos by C. A. Gracie.

Description: Ant dispersal (mymecochory) of Dicentral cucullaria (a temperate plant of the northeastern Unitied States based on an unvouchere plant. A. Ants removing the seeds with their attached elaiosomes from the dehiscent fruit. B. An ant carrying away the seed and elaiosome. The latter will be consumed by the ants and the former dispersed away from the mother plant.

Term:

Myrmecophory

Definition:

Referring to ants that carry away diaspores from parent plants. The ants are usually attracted to fleshy structures associated with seeds. Same as ant dispersal.

Related Terms:

Ant dispersal