list of figures - Terry Sunderland

the collection of herbarium vouchers, ant samples were also collected and preserved in
spirit 10 . Extensive notes were taken on the specific domatia they inhabit.
The following domatia have been identified on some members of the African rattan
taxa:
Casual relationships
Some species of ant construct domes of “carton” on the leaf sheaths of some rattan
species. These domes are made from plant debris and ant saliva and are supported by
the spines of the leaf sheath. The enclosed space below is inhabited by the ant colony,
or may also be used for the farming of scale insects. This type of colonisation has
been observed on Laccosperma robustum and L. secundiflorum. A further example of
a casual relationship is the weaving of a developing leaf to form an in-rolled tubular
organ, which is then colonised by ants. This has been observed on the developing
leaflets of L. laeve.
Adaptations involving leaflets
In rattan species where the leaf is sessile, particularly in the genus Eremospatha, the
lowermost leaflets are often reflexed back across the stem. The enclosed chamber
formed by this leaflet canopy is frequently colonised by ants or is used for scale insect
husbandry. This structure is also sometimes fortified with “carton”.
Ocreas
The dry, elongated ocreas of some species of Laccosperma are often colonised by
ants. In some species of Oncocalamus, which have much shorter truncate (and rather
fleshy) ocreas, there is also significant ant colonisation.
Inflorescence bracts
The inflorescence of the majority of palms is covered with numerous imbricate bracts.
In some species of Laccosperma, the tubular nature of the bracts sheathing the
inflorescence provides a small, enclosed area, which is sometimes inhabited by ant
colonies.
10 The ant specimens were identified by Dr Stefan Cover of Harvard University.
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