Title

Quantitative Analysis Of The Effects Of The Exotic Argentine Ant On Seed-Dispersal Mutualisms

Keywords

Argentine ants; Exotic invasive species; Meta-analysis; Seed-dispersal mutualisms

Abstract

Although it is increasingly clear that exotic invasive species affect seed-dispersal mutualisms, a synthetic examination of the effect of exotic invasive species on seed-dispersal mutualisms is lacking. Here, we review the impacts of the invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) on seed dispersal. We found that sites with L. humile had 92 per cent fewer native ant seed dispersers than did sites where L. humile was absent. In addition, L. humile did not replace native seed dispersers, as rates of seed removal and seedling establishment were all lower in the presence of L. humile than in its absence. We conclude that potential shifts in plant diversity and concomitant changes in ecosystem function may be a consequence of Argentine ant invasions, as well as invasions by other ant species. Because very few studies have examined the effects of non-ant invasive species on seed-dispersal mutualisms, the prevalence of disruption of seed-dispersal mutualisms by invasive species is unclear. © 2009 The Royal Society.

Publication Date

8-23-2009

Publication Title

Biology Letters

Volume

5

Issue

4

Number of Pages

499-502

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2009.0297

Socpus ID

67749101332 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/67749101332

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