The first record of ants as potential pollinators of a Neotropical tree species ( Lomatia hirsuta Diels ex J.F.Macbr., Proteaceae)

Abstract

We provide evidence that Camponotus chilensis (Spinola) visit flowers of the Radal tree (Lomatia hirsuta Diels ex J.F.Macbr.), possibly acting as pollinators of this important tree of the Proteaceae family in the Andean Patagonian forests of Argentina. We found several ant workers transporting pollen from different trees during the blooming season. Pollen transported by workers varied in amount, with some individuals observed fully coated with pollen grains. This note constitutes the first observation of ant activity on the flowers of this plant species and also the first potential example of a tree pollinated by ants in the Neotropics. This note highlights the importance of natural history data in the emergent study field of ant-pollination.