Effect of Ants on Seed Dispersal

Myrmecochory (seed dispersal by ant) is a kind of mutualism between ants and plants. Ants carry the seed to their nest, and eat the elaiosome attached to the seed, while the seed is abandoned in nest or refuse Piles where may be better for the germination and seedling establishment. Ant dispersal has five characteristics: short dispersal dispersal distance, quick disappear ance of seed, directed dispersal, secondary dispersal, and low level mutualism. Ant dispersal may be benefit to the plants in following aspects: reducing competition, protecting from fires, avoiding predation, and enhancing germination and seedling establishment. Most ant-dispersed plants are perennial herbs, about 2800 species belonging to 80 families, while ants belong to 32 genus from Formicidae. Myrmecochory appears in several types of habitats all over the world.