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Emily_Jones_Thesis_7.30.__final format approved LW 7-30-19.pdf (160.07 MB)
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Alien tree's sugary S.O.S. exploited by thieving tramp ant: unidirectional benefit in an alien, tritrophic mélange
Author Info
Jones, Emily Elizabeth
ORCID® Identifier
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7383-8571
Permalink:
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1565107639230889
Abstract Details
Year and Degree
2019, Master of Science (M.S.), University of Dayton, Biology.
Abstract
For centuries, the invasive, extrafloral nectary-bearing tree,
Triadica sebifera
(Euphorbiaceae), was virtually free from natural enemies. In 2004, the
Triadica
-specific leaf-rolling moth
Caloptilia triadicae
(Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) appeared in the invaded range. Simultaneously, populations of the destructive tawny crazy ant,
Nylanderia fulva
(Hymenoptera: Formicidae), spread cospatially across the southeast. Prior to this study, it was unknown if
Triadica
induced extrafloral nectar production as an indirect defense against
Caloptilia
, or if it formed a mutualistic association with – or was exploited by –
Nylanderia
. To examine these potential associations, and their implications for southern ecosystems, I conducted a series of lab, greenhouse, and field experiments in coastal Texas. In response to herbivory by
Caloptilia
,
Triadica
seedlings strongly induced extrafloral nectar production; percent leaf damage explained 57% of the variation in cumulative nectar volume (p < 0.0001). Additionally, nectar production was strongly tied to the life stage of
Caloptilia
, increasing rapidly with the onset of leaf-rolling and decreasing sharply after adult emergence. Large
Caloptilia
infestations reduced stem elongation in potted
Triadica
(R ² = 0.32, p < 0.0001), but had no effect on leaf production, biomass, or survivorship. In all trials,
Nylanderia
exploited available nectar resources without attacking
Caloptilia
larvae. Seedling nectar volume was significantly lower when ants were present (p = 0.008) while no differences in
Caloptilia
survivorship were observed (p = 0.56). Likewise, no differences in
Caloptilia
abundance or parasitism rates were observed when ants were excluded from
Triadica
saplings in the field (p-values > 0.8). These results suggest that
Triadica
supplies
Nylanderia
workers with a carbohydrate resource while sustaining heavy herbivore damage and that neither
Triadica
nor
Caloptilia
benefit indirectly from
Nylanderia
foraging. Therefore,
Nylanderia
appears to be the only beneficiary in this alien, tritrophic mélange.
Committee
Chelse Prather, PhD (Advisor)
Juli Carrillo, PhD (Committee Member)
Ryan McEwan, PhD (Committee Member)
Karolyn Hansen, PhD (Committee Member)
Pages
116 p.
Subject Headings
Ecology
Keywords
Chinese tallow tree
;
Triadica sebifera
;
tawny crazy ant
;
Nylanderia fulva
;
Caloptilia triadicae
;
extrafloral nectar
;
induced defense
;
biological invasion
;
facultative mutualism
Recommended Citations
Refworks
EndNote
RIS
Mendeley
Citations
Jones, E. E. (2019).
Alien tree's sugary S.O.S. exploited by thieving tramp ant: unidirectional benefit in an alien, tritrophic mélange
[Master's thesis, University of Dayton]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1565107639230889
APA Style (7th edition)
Jones, Emily.
Alien tree's sugary S.O.S. exploited by thieving tramp ant: unidirectional benefit in an alien, tritrophic mélange.
2019. University of Dayton, Master's thesis.
OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center
, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1565107639230889.
MLA Style (8th edition)
Jones, Emily. "Alien tree's sugary S.O.S. exploited by thieving tramp ant: unidirectional benefit in an alien, tritrophic mélange." Master's thesis, University of Dayton, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1565107639230889
Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)
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Document number:
dayton1565107639230889
Download Count:
158
Copyright Info
© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Dayton and OhioLINK.