Ant symbiosis C013 / 7070
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Ant symbiosis C013 / 7070
Ant symbiosis. Philidris sp. ants and their eggs (white) inside the leaf of a Malayan urn vine (Dischidia major), with which they form a symbiotic relationship. This Southeast Asian epiphytic vine has inflated hollow leaves (large, centre), which are used by the ants for nesting. The ants get somewhere safe to raise their young and in return they protect the plant from predatory insects. The plant also gets nutrients from waste products produced by the ants and carbon dioxide from their breath
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 9198599
© PATRICK LANDMANN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Animal Behaviour Ants Arthropod Arthropods Dischidia Major Eggs Entomological Insects Inside Interior Larva Larvae Life Cycle Life Stage Malayan Urn Vine Nest Nesting Open Plants Reproduction Reproductive South East Asia Southeast Asia Specialised Specialist Symbiont Symbiosis Symbiotic Worker Workers
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the intricate symbiotic relationship between Philidris sp. ants and the Malayan urn vine, Dischidia major. The image showcases a mesmerizing scene inside the leaf of this Southeast Asian epiphytic vine, where white ant eggs are nestled safely within its hollow interior. The ants have found a secure nesting place amidst the inflated hollow leaves of the plant, providing them with an ideal environment to raise their young. In return for this sanctuary, these diligent ants serve as protectors of the vine by warding off predatory insects that could harm it. Not only do these tiny creatures offer protection, but they also contribute essential nutrients to the plant through their waste products and carbon dioxide from their breath. This mutually beneficial arrangement exemplifies true symbiosis in nature. The photograph beautifully highlights multiple aspects of this fascinating interaction - from worker ants diligently tending to their larvae and open eggs to specialized anatomical features that enable them to fulfill their role in this unique partnership. Through capturing such moments of animal behavior and biological intricacies, photographer Patrick Landmann invites us into a world where plants and animals coexist harmoniously, showcasing yet another marvel of our natural world in Southeast Asia's rich biodiversity.
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