Ficus obscura var. borneensis (Moraceae), a new non-specific ant-plant from Malaysia
1994
Maschwitz, U. (Zoological Institute, Siesmayerstr, Frankfurt (Germany)) | Fiala, B. | Saw, L.G. | Norma-Rashid Yusoff | Azarae Haji Idris
Ficus obscura var. borneensis is a true myrmecophyte. It spontaneously forms cavities (domatia) in parts of its twigs which open by slits. These occur in the internodes and are usually not swollen. The domatia are inhabited by a variety of non-specific tree-living ants including Crematogaster spp., Cataulacus sp., Tetramorium sp., Cardiocondyla sp. and Camponotus sp.. Additionally the plant provides a sugar-containing secretion from extrafloral nectaries on the lower surfaces of the leaves. Examination of herbarium specimens of 37 other South-east Asian Ficus species did not reveal a single specimen with domatia
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