The plants myrmécophiles (of the old Greek : μύρμηξ, “ant”; φῐλεῖν, “to like”) is vegetable which live in symbiotic association external with the Fourmi S.

Kinds containing of the plant species myrmécophiles

(not-exhaustive list)

• Acacia

• Barteria
• Cecropia
• Broméliacées

Bromeliacées myrmécophiles

Bromeliacées the myrmécophiles most current is Tillandsia bulbosa and Tillandsia caput-medusae, which forms true " nids" any loan in their sheets, these plants have a base in the shape of bulbs, their sheets, rolled up on they-even, are hollow and allow the dwelling of the plant by the ants, the Fourmi S thus will live the plant, bringing back what to nourish the anthill, they will store food in Tillandsia, which will absorb a part of it. The Fourmi S also will play a protective part of the plant, since this one is from now on their anthill, they will not let it die.

Acacia S myrmécophilles

Certain acacias them also developed hollow spines, to see hollow branches, which allow their dwelling by the ants, one sees also the presence of extra-floral nectaries, which produce a sweetened substance whose ants nourish themselves, the ants here will remove the tree from all the insects which could pose problems (and even others), the caterpillars, etc The ants can go until cutting lianas which would like to make use of the Acacia like support.

Other plants myrmécophiles

Among the other plants myrmécophiles one finds many plant carnivores and ferns, which, on the same principle, " construisent" rooms ready to be inhabited by the ants.

Myrmécochorie

It is the fact for a plant of supporting the transport of its seeds by the means of the ants. (ex: the common Ricinus)

External bonds

• the PLANTS MYRMECOPHILES, general presentation of the principal plants myrmécophioles * ANT SEEDLINGS, presentation of various plants myrmécophiles, richly illustrated * AcideFormik, nonexhaustive list of bonds Web on the subject.

Simple: Myrmecophile

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