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Foraging behavior of Atta sexdens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) on leaves of Thiloa glaucocarpa (Mart.) Eichler (Combretaceae) in a Brazilian seasonally dry tropical forest

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Abstract

Thiloa glaucocarpa is a toxic plant as a food item for bovine cattle. However, dry leaves are frequently collected to cultivate the symbiotic fungi of several colonies of Atta sexdens throughout the Caatinga Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest biome in Brazil and such behavior is not clear. In this study, we analyzed the removal of T. glaucocarpa leaves for A. sexdens and tested the hypothesis that the preference for removal of dry leaf material over fresh leaves may be related to the decay of chemical defenses. Dried leaf discs of T. glaucocarpa were offered to laboratory-raised colonies of A. sexdens. Overall, there was a lower consumption of T. glaucocarpa than the previous report, but it is possible to observe a preference for mature and fresh leaves removal, contradicting initial predictions. Probably, the removal of dried leaves is a specific solution learned by natural colonies to reduce the number of secondary compounds and guarantee diet availability in a highly seasonal and food-poor environment. The preference for mature leaves is not usual and is probably the result of a higher production of secondary compounds in young leaves, which could guarantee protection for leaves against herbivory in early rains and improve the productivity of T. glaucocarpa at the beginning of the rainy season.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for post-graduate support to JJC. We thank Aldenise Moreira and all technical staff of Laboratory of Myrmecology—UESB for allowing the space and Atta sexdens colonies for this study. We are also thankful to Edenilson Ribeiro for allowing the use of the greenhouse of Entomology Lab—UESB. Special acknowledgement to Antônio “Tonho” Correia for guiding us in the field and reducing our time to find Thiloa glaucocarpa plants. We also thank Karine Carvalho, Djalma Oliveira and Ana Gabriela Delgado Bieber for their valuable contributions in reviewing this manuscript in JJC master degree qualification.

Funding

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for post-graduate fellowship to Jessica Cordeiro de Jesus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Programa de Pós Graduação em Genética, biodiversidade e Conservação, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Campus Universitário de Jequié, Av. José Moreira Sobrinho - Jequiezinho, Jequié, BA, 45205-490, Brazil

    J. J. Cordeiro & R. J. Sá-Neto

  2. Graduação em Ciências Biológicas - CCCBio, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Campus da UESB de Vitória da Conquista - Estrada do Bem Querer - KM 04, Vitória da Conquista, BA, 45083-900, Brazil

    I. S. Costa, V. J. Salgado, R. G. Costa-Filho & M. P. Santos

  3. Bacharelado em Agronomia - CCAgro, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil

    M. P. dos Santos & E. M. Coutinho

  4. Departamento de Fitotecnia e Zootecnia – DFZ, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Campus da UESB de Vitória da Conquista - Estrada do Bem Querer - KM 04, Vitória da Conquista, BA, 45083-900, Brazil

    M. A. Castellani

  5. Departamento de Ciências Naturais – DCN, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Campus da UESB de Vitória da Conquista - Estrada do Bem Querer - KM 04, Vitória da Conquista, BA, 45083-900, Brazil

    M. M. Corrêa & R. J. Sá-Neto

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  1. J. J. Cordeiro
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  2. I. S. Costa
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  4. R. G. Costa-Filho
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  7. E. M. Coutinho
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  9. M. M. Corrêa
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  10. R. J. Sá-Neto
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Correspondence to R. J. Sá-Neto.

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Cordeiro, J.J., Costa, I.S., Salgado, V.J. et al. Foraging behavior of Atta sexdens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) on leaves of Thiloa glaucocarpa (Mart.) Eichler (Combretaceae) in a Brazilian seasonally dry tropical forest. Arthropod-Plant Interactions 15, 737–745 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-021-09847-z

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