Amazing Symbiosis: Ant Army Defends Tree | National Geographic

Summary

In the Costa Rican rainforest, the swollen-thorn acacia tree and acacia ants demonstrate a remarkable symbiotic relationship. The ants act as vigilant protectors, fending off vines and predators that threaten the tree's sunlight access. In return, the acacia tree provides food and shelter, with nectaries for adult ants and nutrient-rich pods for their larvae. This mutualistic arrangement ensures the tree's survival and the ants' thriving colony, showcasing an evolutionary marvel.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The script describes a unique ecological interaction in the Costa Rican rainforest involving a tree and an ant species.
• 🔍 A 'gap of sunlight' forms when a large tree falls, creating competition for light among new growth.
• 🏁 The 'swollen thorn acacia' tree has a symbiotic relationship with 'acacia ants' that protect it from competitors.
• 💂 The acacia ants act as the tree's security guards, cutting down vines that threaten the tree's sunlight access.
• 🦗 The ants also protect the acacia from herbivores, such as grasshoppers, by attacking and repelling them.
• 🍯 In return for protection, the acacia tree provides food for the ants in the form of sweet nectar from nectaries.
• 📦 The tree offers shelter to the ants, with larvae living in hollowed-out thorns at the base of the leaves.
• 🐛 The brownish pods on the acacia leaves are nutrient-rich food for the developing ant larvae.
• 🦟 The acacia ant larvae eventually grow into winged adults, capable of flying to start new acacia colonies.
• 🌿 The script illustrates an evolutionary masterpiece where both the tree and the ants benefit from their mutualistic relationship.
• 🌱 The acacia tree's survival strategy includes nurturing the ants that, in turn, ensure the tree's dominance in its environment.

Q & A

What happens when a large tree falls in the Costa Rican rainforest?

A gap of sunlight is formed in the canopy, allowing new life to compete for this light.

What is the role of the acacia ant in the symbiotic relationship with the swollen thorn acacia tree?

The acacia ant acts as a protector, defending the acacia tree from vines and other threats by attacking and repelling them.

How do acacia ants deal with vines that try to compete for the acacia tree's sunlight?

The ants act as security guards, chopping the vine stems, which causes the vine to wither and die.

What happens when a grasshopper tries to eat the acacia tree?

The acacia ants retaliate by biting and stinging the grasshopper, preventing it from feeding on the tree.

What does the acacia tree provide to the ants in return for their protection?

The acacia tree provides food and shelter for the ants. It secretes sweet nectar from nectaries for the adult ants to eat and offers nutrient-packed pods for the developing larvae.

Where do acacia ant larvae live within the acacia tree?

The acacia ant larvae live in hollowed-out thorns at the base of the acacia leaves.

What happens to some acacia ants as they mature?

Some acacia ants grow into adults with wings and will fly off to start a new symbiotic relationship with another acacia tree.

How does the acacia tree benefit from the symbiotic relationship with the acacia ants?

The acacia tree benefits by having its growth space protected from competing plants and herbivores, ensuring it can grow without competition for sunlight.

What is the significance of the acacia tree's nectaries in this symbiotic relationship?

The nectaries secrete a sweet nectar that serves as a food source for the adult acacia ants, which is crucial for their survival and the continuation of the symbiotic relationship.

How does the acacia tree ensure the ants are well-fed and protected?

The tree provides specific structures like nectaries for nectar and hollowed-out thorns for shelter, ensuring the ants have everything they need.

What is the evolutionary significance of this symbiotic relationship between the acacia ant and the acacia tree?

This relationship is an evolutionary masterpiece, where both species benefit and support each other's survival, creating a stable and mutually advantageous partnership.