Native ants help to spread an invasive African grass in the Cerrado

Rebolo, Isabele F., Federal University of São Carlos, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8206-4547

Zirondi, Heloiza L., Sao Paulo State University, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6504-1004

Fidelis, Alessandra, Sao Paulo State University

Christianini, Alexander V., Federal University of São Carlos, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1538-791X

isabele.fran@gmail.com, heloiza.l.zirondi@unesp.br, alessandra.fidelis@unesp.br, avchrist@ufscar.br

Published Oct 28, 2021 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.dfn2z3530

Cite this dataset

Rebolo, Isabele F.; Zirondi, Heloiza L.; Fidelis, Alessandra; Christianini, Alexander V. (2021). Native ants help to spread an invasive African grass in the Cerrado [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.dfn2z3530

Abstract

Plant-animal interactions may facilitate biological invasions. The African grass Urochloa decumbens is an aggressive invader in the Cerrado. We demonstrate that native ants are dispersing the seeds to short distances, allowing the gradual spread of the invasive to sites without the need of great anthropogenic soil disturbances.

Methods

We retrieved seeds of the invasive African grass Urochloa decumbens from ant nests (N = 21) and paired-control plots found at three transects in a Cerrado. Seeds were inspected and classified as filled, damaged or empty. Filled seeds were further used in seed germination and seed viability trials.

Usage notes

No missing values.

Funding

Coordenação de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Award: Finance Code 001

National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, Award: 486113/2013-2