Tuesday, May 24, 2011

HBL for Term 2 Week 10 by Lim Zheng Xiang (22)

2) Deforestation is a possible human activity which may affect the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants. We know that deforestation is an act of the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is reclaimed and thereafter converted to a non-forest uses. The examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use such as the building of factories. When we do that, we are destroying the habitats of the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants. As stated in the article, Allomerus decemarticulatus worker ants cut hairs from the stem of the plant they inhabit, and use the tiny fibers to build a spongy platform for their traps. It was also mentioned that “the structure is glued together with a protein that comes from chewed and regurgitated vegetation”. When we cut down trees and plants, these ants would have a lack of “material” from the plants to build their traps, and thus resulting them being unable to catch their prey for food to survive.

3) Commensalism between Allomerus decemarticulatus worker ants and trees - Allomerus decemarticulatus worker ants cut hairs from the stem of the plant they inhabit, and use the tiny fibers to build a spongy platform. The ants make use of the plant as “material” for the building of their traps.

Predation between Allomerus decemarticulatus worker ants and insects - When an insect passes overhead, the ants reach up and grab its free legs, wings and antennae, stretching it against the gallery. The ants predates on the insects using their traps.

Mutualism between mould and trees – The mould grows around the trap and reinforces the plant, but the plants are not affected in any way. Thus this is mutualism

Commensalism - Cattle egrets and livestock

Predation – Eagles prey on rabbits

Mutualism - sea anemones and hermit crab

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