World-first, researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) have discovered a plant that has successfully evolved as ants and native bees. As pollinators that transcend their antimicrobial protection.
A characteristic of a group of shrubs in the coastal plain of Hansa, Western Australia, was discovered by Nicola DeLenevo, a doctoral student at ECU.
Mr. Delnevo said that the ant pollination of plants was extremely rare.
“Ants secrete an antimicrobial fluid that destroys pollen grains,” he said.
“So ants are traditionally considered a threat – the invasiveness of nectar thieves prevents other pollinating insects.
“However, this group of plants in WA, commonly called the Smokebush family (Conospermum), has evolved a way of using the ants to their advantage.”
Mr. Delnevo examined the effects of antimicrobial secretion from. three ant species found locally on the flowers of six WA plant species and yielded surprising results.
“We have found evidence that Conosperm plants have adapted to the biochemistry of their pollen grains to cope with the anti-microbial properties of the ants.
“This is the first species of adaptive trait that can be mutually beneficial for ants,” Mr. Delnevo said.
“About 46 examples of ant pollination have been documented around the world, but these have resulted in less toxic secretions that allow ants to pollinate.”
Honeybees does not help
Delnevo said that pollination by ants was good news for these plants because they are unable to rely on ants, especially pollinators.
“Conosperm plants have fragrant tubular flowers, which are too narrow for honeybees writhe inside to pollinate,” Mr. Delnevo explained.
They rely on native insects that carry a suitable pollen load by watching other flowers for pollination to happen.
“They co-evolved with a native bee (Leoproctus conospermii) and evolved into an expert feeder for these flowers.
“This relationship is mutually beneficial, but in an evolutionary sense, reliance on native bees for plant pollination can be risky.”
Future research will examine how common ants pollinate plants in southwestern Australia, and how this feature of overcoming ant defenses has evolved.
This research was published in Annals of Botany.
Cover Photo – Nicola Delnevo,Edith Cowan University
