Author: Bond, W.J.; Slingsby, P.
Description: Seed dispersal by ants has long been known in northern temperate regions of the
world. It was first reported in six plant families in the Cape Province, South Africa, by Marloth some 70 years ago, since when it has been largely overlooked. We have surveyed the occurrence of ant dispersal in the Cape flora by a combination of field observations, experiment and literature surveys, concentrating especially on fynbos vegetation. In this paper, we report a summary of our findings and a list of ant-dispersed taxa which suggest a remarkable dependence of the Cape flora on ants as seed vectors and apparent ecological convergence with Australian heathland vegetation.
Subject headings: Ants; Seed dispersal; Australian heathlands; Cape flora; Fynbos vegetation; Ground foraging ants; Short distance dispersal
Publication year: 1983
Journal or book title: South African Journal of Science
Volume: 79
Issue: 6
Pages: 231-233
Find the full text : https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520/AJA00382353_2316
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Type: Journal Article
Serial number: 2340