1.
Oecologia
; 86(1): 36-39, 1991 Mar.
Artículo
en Inglés
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28313155
RESUMEN
Epiphyll growth on leaves of the grapefruit Citrus paradisi and the understory cyclanth Cyclanthus bipartitus repelled the fungus-growing, leafcutter ant Atta cephalotes from harvesting leaves of these tropical plants. Experimental removal of epiphylls from leaves resulted in 2-3 times more herbivore damage by leafcutter ants as compared to matched leaves with epiphylls. Because of the protection from herbivore damage, host plants may derive a partial fitness benefit from association with epiphylls.