Nature is a gift from God which has millions of beauties. Nature has also provided romance in order, like humans in life. One of them myrmecophytica romantic relationship that occurs between ants and plants.
Their relationship is so close, to the extent that if there is not one, then the other can be anonymous. Sounds pretty romantic right? Here are five facts from the close relationship between ants and plants throughout the ages.
1. Mirmekofita is a symbiotic mutualism between ants and plants
illustration of the relationship between ants and plants (pexels.com/Jimmy Chan)
Living things can survive in nature because they can cooperate with one another. Not only with the same sex, but between species must also be carried out, such as cooperation between ant colonies and plants.
The two build a close relationship to survive in nature. Reported Kew Gardens, myrmecophytes is a symbiotic mutualism or mutually beneficial relationship between ant colonies and plants.
In the world itself there are various forms myrmecophytic. Both the relationship between ant colonies and the roots, leaves, and stems of plants. One of the most phenomenal is the relationship between ant colonies and acacia plants.
Also Read: 5 Differences Between Red Ants and Black Ants, Do You Know?
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2. Ants protect plants from herbivore attacks
illustration of ants eating other insects (pexels.com/Kumar Kranti Prasad)
The two of them aren’t just in a relationship, you know. They have their respective roles and functions. One of them is the role of ants as plant protectors from herbivores or plant-eating animals.
Reported Forest Wildlife, In Axia plants, the role of ants is very vital, namely as a protector from herbivore attacks that are looking for food, such as giraffes, grasshoppers and even rats. Plants will usually send a signal to the ants if a herbivore dares to eat. The ants then quickly ran towards the place.
This small insect that we know is a master biter, its bite can certainly be felt by herbivores when it dares to eat leaves from plants. The role of the ant is appropriate bodyguardif anyone dared to interfere, they could be beaten immediately.
3. Plants provide a home or living space for ants
illustration of ants using trail pheromones (pexels.com/Poranimm Athithawatthee)
Plants have limited movement so they need the help of insects such as ants to protect themselves from herbivore attacks that are actively moving. Even so, plants have a large size for an ant colony. This allows ants to make plants as a place to live, as well as breed.
Reported Kew GardensThe parts of plants with holes like tubes and volume, such as stems, leaves or thorns, can usually be used as an ant’s home. The house can make the ants comfortable because it can protect them from attacks by predators, such as birds.
4. Ants can ward off various disease-causing microbes in plants
weaver ant illustration (pexels.com/Ludwig Kwan)
It’s not just the threat from herbivores that ants can overcome in plants. Other problems such as disease threats caused by pathogens such as viruses, bacteria or fungi can also prevent ants, you know. This makes the plant will always look healthy. Its growth will be maintained so that the home for the colony and the food supply for the ants will always be safe.
Reported Science Daily, in acacia trees, ants can ward off bad bacteria that cause disease, because of the role of good bacteria associated with ants. Simply put, the number of disease-causing pathogens will decrease since the presence of ants in plants.
Also Read: 5 Most Dangerous Types of Ants in the World, Potentially Deadly!
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