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Seed Predation On Slickspot Peppergrass By The Owyhee Harvester Ant, Joshua P. White

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

1. (1) Seed predation can significantly restrict the reproductive output and individual fitness of plants, particular those plants that are rare or endangered. In some cases the total seed loss can reach 100%. Owyhee harvester ants, Pogonomyrmex salinus, actively remove the fruits and seeds of slickspot peppergrass, Lepidium papilliferum, a rare mustard endemic to southwest Idaho.
2. (2) Several experiments were conducted to quantify seed predation on L. papilliferum located within the foraging distance of P. salinus. Individuals exposed to harvester ants experienced a direct loss of fruits and seeds ( > 40%), whereas plants shielded from ants suffered almost …