Ant symbiosis C013 / 7071
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Ant symbiosis C013 / 7071
Ant symbiosis. Close-up of 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, 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 9198603
© 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 close-up shot reveals a leaf of this epiphytic vine housing white ant eggs, while the black background accentuates their delicate presence. In Southeast Asia, these ants have found a safe haven within the inflated hollow leaves of the vine. They utilize this unique nesting site to raise their young away from predatory insects. In return for providing shelter, these diligent ants protect the plant from potential harm. The symbiosis goes beyond mere protection; it extends to nutrient exchange as well. The plant benefits from waste products produced by the ants and absorbs carbon dioxide released through their breath. This mutualistic relationship showcases nature's remarkable ability to foster interdependence among different species. The photograph beautifully highlights various aspects of this fascinating collaboration: multiple worker ants attending to their specialized tasks, open eggs revealing future generations in development, and intricate details showcasing biological intricacies at play. Through this image, we gain insight into not only an enthralling moment in animal behavior but also into how life cycles intertwine with one another in Southeast Asian ecosystems. It serves as a reminder that even on a microscopic level, connections between organisms shape our natural world profoundly.
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