Santa Cruz Island Reserve

07 Mar, 02 AM - 07 Mar, 07 AM

Because ant-aphid mutualisms can influence host plant fitness, plant herbivore load, predator and parasite abundance and pollinator visitation, I propose to determine the effect of mutualisms between native hemipterans and an introduced ant on species composition within a riparian insular habitat. This analysis will be of particular interest because native (island restricted) hemipterans may respond differently to tending by ants on a species-poor island relative to a reticulated mainland community. In conjunction with mainland studies, work carried out at Santa Cruz Island will investigate the importance of ant tending within a simplified ecosystem. I propose to compare naturally occurring ant-tending behavior within invaded and uninvaded sites on Santa Cruz Island. The plant that I'm using will be willow, a common riparian tree.

Visit #20044 @Santa Cruz Island Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 20231 | Research

The roles of ant-aphid mutualisms and mutualist identity in structuring trophic interactions

graduate_student - University of California, San Diego

Reservation Members(s)

Katherine LeVan Mar 7, 2009 (1 days)
Katherine LeVan Mar 7, 2009 (1 days)

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Day Use Only 2 Mar 7 (5 hours)
Jeep 2 Mar 7 (5 hours)