Joachim Moog - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Joachim Moog
In over 100 genera of tropical angiosperms, one or more species possess specialised structures fo... more In over 100 genera of tropical angiosperms, one or more species possess specialised structures for housing ants. The longevity and intimacy of these associations has often facilitated an increasing specialisation of both the ants and the plants, leading to a number of highly specific and obligate symbioses. However, the number of known ant-plants and its associated ants in south-east Asia remained on a low level compared to the Neotropics. Early literature contained only few anecdotal reports of the ant genus Cladomyrma Wheeler inhabiting (unidentified) plants. This work presents the new findings on Cladomyrma and its host plants that accumulated over the last two decades. My studies of Cladomyrma reveal that there is a largely overlooked community of south-east Asian plant-ants and their associated plants. In spite of being species-rich and abundant this lineage of ants had been almost never collected. In cooperation with Donat Agosti the new species collected receive a formal taxo...
Insectes Soc, 1991
Two new myrmecophytic associations from the Malay Peninsula: ants of the genus Cladomyrma (Formic... more Two new myrmecophytic associations from the Malay Peninsula: ants of the genus Cladomyrma (Formicidae, Camponotinae) as partners of Saraca thaipingensis (Caesalpiniaceae) and Crypteronia griffithii (Crypteroniaceae)
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Feb 28, 2005
The biologically interesting ant-plant association, myrmecophytism, occurs in ca. 140 of the 11,0... more The biologically interesting ant-plant association, myrmecophytism, occurs in ca. 140 of the 11,000 species and 22 of the 630 genera of the coVee family (Rubiaceae). These myrmecophytic Rubiaceae species are predominantly distributed in Southeast Asia, especially the Malesian region, with comparatively few species in mainland Africa and the Neotropics. The mostly Southeast Asian genus Neonauclea s.s is one of the three Rubiaceae genera with extensive radiation of myrmecophytes and also the most speciose genus of the tribe Naucleeae s.l. We perform parsimony phylogenetic analyses of Neonauclea s.s., previously resolved as paraphyletic, and its allied genera using both ETS and ITS sequencing data to test: (1) the paraphyly of Neonauclea s.s.; (2) the phylogenetic relationships within the Ludekia-Myrmeconauclea-Neonauclea complex; and (3) the evolution of myrmecophytism within the complex. The earlier proposed paraphyly of Neonauclea s.s. appears to be the result of the combined eVects of parallel substitutions in Metadina trichotoma and the sampled ITS putative pseudogenes of Neonauclea longipedunculata and losses of some synapomorphies of Neonauclea s.s. in the latter. The analyses present strong support for the monophyly of Myrmeconauclea and Neonauclea s.s. and their sister-group relationships. Our Wndings additionally favor the hypothesis of multiple origins of myrmecophytism in the Bornean Neonauclea, which have independently been exploited by at least three Cladomyrma ant species. Furthermore, we interpret the low levels of variation in both the ETS and ITS sequences as indication of a recent and rapid radiation for Neonauclea s.s. (with 65 species) and a recent and slow radiation for Myrmeconauclea (with three species). We argue that the rapid diversiWcation of Neonauclea s.s. is partly associated with the nature of its fruits and its ability to colonize a wide range of habitats. We postulate that both ecological and geographical events may have been responsible for the radiation of the non-myrmecophytic Neonauclea species. Finally, we argue that the acquisition of the pseudo-multiple fruits and long-tailed seeds has allowed Myrmeconauclea to specialize on rheophytic habitats but its narrow ecological tolerance may have hindered its speciation.
Asian Myrmecology
The tree Pometia pinnata Forst. forma glabra (Bl.) Jacobs is an ant-plant that provides lodging (... more The tree Pometia pinnata Forst. forma glabra (Bl.) Jacobs is an ant-plant that provides lodging (leaf domatia) and food (extrafloral nectar, excretions of coccids) for ants. The leaf domatia are formed by two pairs of strongly modified basal leaflets. In total, 63 ant species from 18 genera and 4 subfamilies were encountered in the domatia of the host in the study area (Ulu Gombak, Malaysia). We found that the ant/ Pometia relationship has two stages: (i) an early 'myrmecophilic' phase of juvenile, domatia-free plants, and (ii) a 'myrmecophytic' phase of older plants in which ants nest in domatia. In the myrmecophilic stage, our short-term experiment revealed a significant greater loss of young leaflets when ants were excluded than on control plants to which ants had access; however, the area of remaining leaf was not different between treatment and control. Similar ambiguous effects were observed in the myrmecophytic stage: a snapshot census revealed no significant difference in the standing level of leaf herbivore damage between branches with and without nesting ants. However, our survey indicated that ant species differed in the protection provided to their host. Our data also suggest that presence of nesting ants substantially reduces damage to the leaf rachis.
[*article in German. Title = Callicarpa saccata, a Bornean ant-plant with leaf pouch domatia and ... more [*article in German. Title = Callicarpa saccata, a Bornean ant-plant with leaf pouch domatia and extrafloral nectaries - and the puzzling distribution of ant-plants with leaf pouch domatia.] Abstract: The genus Callicarpa (Verbenaceae) comprises c. 140 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and small trees, which are widespread in tropical and subtropical regions of the world as well as in the temperate regions of Asia and North America. The generic name Callicarpa is derived from the greek language and refers to the attractive-looking fruits meaning beauty fruit. This is one of the reasons why many Callicarpa species, such as the well-known Chinese Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii with its spectacular violet fruits, were introduced in parks and botanical gardens. This species is cultivated in the Palmengarten. Callicarpa saccata is a small tree of Central Sarawak with very conspicuous sac-like auricles at the base of the leaves. The hollow structures produced by the plant are ...
The monocotyledon climber Smilax borneensis A. Dc. (Smilacaceae) is a facultative ant-plant that ... more The monocotyledon climber Smilax borneensis A. Dc. (Smilacaceae) is a facultative ant-plant that provides both shelter (domatia) and food (extrafloral nectar) for opportunistically nesting ants. The domatia are bladder-like structures at the base of the petiole, facultatively colonised by different arboreal ant genera, e.g., Crematogaster, Dolichoderus, Technomyrmex and Polyrhachis. Ant occupancy of all studied domatia-bearing plants was 59% (16 from 27 plants), however the percentage of inhabited domatia per plant varied greatly, ranging from 2.2 to 87.5% (median 8.2, mean 20.0, ± 28.21 SD). Ant nutrition in the form of extrafloral nectar is produced at the tips of growing leaves. Similar domatia structures also occur in several other Smilax species, illustrating the potential of the genus Smilax for developing associations with ants.
Sociobiology
The rutaceous tree Zanthoxylum myriacanthum is a 'nonspecific' myrmecophyte that offers f... more The rutaceous tree Zanthoxylum myriacanthum is a 'nonspecific' myrmecophyte that offers food via extrafloral nectaries (EFN) as well as nesting space for ants inside its hollow branches and twigs. A total of 33 different species of ants from 4 subfamilies were recorded on the tree. Twenty-eight (85%) of these species were found nesting inside the domatia. None of these stem-nesting ant species appears to be a specialist occupant of Z. myriacanthum. Most of the nesting ant species showed no or little degree of effectiveness in anti-herbivore protection when loss of leaf area of inhabited branches is compared with those of uninhabited branches (the EFN of the latter still being accessible for ant visitors). For one ant species we could demonstrate a highly significant reduction of leaf area loss. The outcome of ant colonization on Z. myriacanthum will likely be diffuse because ant partners can vary markedly in space and time. In addition to biotic defence the tree also invests...
The monocotyledon climber Smilax borneensis A. Dc. (Smilacaceae) is a facultative ant-plant that ... more The monocotyledon climber Smilax borneensis A. Dc. (Smilacaceae) is a facultative ant-plant that provides both shelter (domatia) and food (extrafloral nectar) for opportunistically nesting ants. The domatia are bladder-like structures at the base of the petiole, facultatively colonised by different arboreal ant genera, e.g., Crematogaster, Dolichoderus, Technomyrmex and Polyrhachis. Ant occupancy of all studied domatia-bearing plants was 59% (16 from 27 plants), however the percentage of inhabited domatia per plant varied greatly, ranging from 2.2 to 87.5% (median 8.2, mean 20.0, ± 28.21 SD). Ant nutrition in the form of extrafloral nectar is produced at the tips of growing leaves. Similar domatia structures also occur in several other Smilax species, illustrating the potential of the genus Smilax for developing associations with ants.
The biologically interesting ant–plant association, myrmecophytism, occurs in ca. 140 of the 11,0... more The biologically interesting ant–plant association, myrmecophytism, occurs in ca. 140 of the 11,000 species and 22 of the 630 genera of the coffee family (Rubiaceae). These myrmecophytic Rubiaceae species are predominantly distributed in Southeast Asia, especially the Malesian region, with comparatively few species in mainland Africa and the Neotropics. The mostly Southeast Asian genus Neonauclea s.s is one of the three Rubiaceae genera with extensive radiation of myrmecophytes and also the most speciose genus of the tribe Naucleeae s.l. We perform parsimony phylogenetic analyses of Neonauclea s.s., previously resolved as paraphyletic, and its allied genera using both ETS and ITS sequencing data to test: (1) the paraphyly of Neonauclea s.s.; (2) the phylogenetic relationships within the Ludekia–Myrmeconauclea–Neonauclea complex; and (3) the evolution of myrmecophytism within the complex. The earlier proposed paraphyly of Neonauclea s.s. appears to be the result of the combined effec...
Biologie in unserer Zeit, 2015
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2005
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2005
The biologically interesting ant-plant association, myrmecophytism, occurs in ca. 140 of the 11,0... more The biologically interesting ant-plant association, myrmecophytism, occurs in ca. 140 of the 11,000 species and 22 of the 630 genera of the coVee family (Rubiaceae). These myrmecophytic Rubiaceae species are predominantly distributed in Southeast Asia, especially the Malesian region, with comparatively few species in mainland Africa and the Neotropics. The mostly Southeast Asian genus Neonauclea s.s is one of the three Rubiaceae genera with extensive radiation of myrmecophytes and also the most speciose genus of the tribe Naucleeae s.l. We perform parsimony phylogenetic analyses of Neonauclea s.s., previously resolved as paraphyletic, and its allied genera using both ETS and ITS sequencing data to test: (1) the paraphyly of Neonauclea s.s.; (2) the phylogenetic relationships within the Ludekia-Myrmeconauclea-Neonauclea complex; and (3) the evolution of myrmecophytism within the complex. The earlier proposed paraphyly of Neonauclea s.s. appears to be the result of the combined eVects of parallel substitutions in Metadina trichotoma and the sampled ITS putative pseudogenes of Neonauclea longipedunculata and losses of some synapomorphies of Neonauclea s.s. in the latter. The analyses present strong support for the monophyly of Myrmeconauclea and Neonauclea s.s. and their sister-group relationships. Our Wndings additionally favor the hypothesis of multiple origins of myrmecophytism in the Bornean Neonauclea, which have independently been exploited by at least three Cladomyrma ant species. Furthermore, we interpret the low levels of variation in both the ETS and ITS sequences as indication of a recent and rapid radiation for Neonauclea s.s. (with 65 species) and a recent and slow radiation for Myrmeconauclea (with three species). We argue that the rapid diversiWcation of Neonauclea s.s. is partly associated with the nature of its fruits and its ability to colonize a wide range of habitats. We postulate that both ecological and geographical events may have been responsible for the radiation of the non-myrmecophytic Neonauclea species. Finally, we argue that the acquisition of the pseudo-multiple fruits and long-tailed seeds has allowed Myrmeconauclea to specialize on rheophytic habitats but its narrow ecological tolerance may have hindered its speciation.
Ecotropica, 1999
Abstract. The hollow дат> of m-, iny SE A:¡ ilways occurred on previously niit-miiabired twigs... more Abstract. The hollow дат> of m-, iny SE A:¡ ilways occurred on previously niit-miiabired twigs. We d The major predator is probably the abundan in a large cage colonized twig: labitt-plums ate frequently torn open bv predators. These conspicuous injuries We ...
In over 100 genera of tropical angiosperms, one or more species possess specialised structures fo... more In over 100 genera of tropical angiosperms, one or more species possess specialised structures for housing ants. The longevity and intimacy of these associations has often facilitated an increasing specialisation of both the ants and the plants, leading to a number of highly specific and obligate symbioses. However, the number of known ant-plants and its associated ants in south-east Asia remained on a low level compared to the Neotropics. Early literature contained only few anecdotal reports of the ant genus Cladomyrma Wheeler inhabiting (unidentified) plants. This work presents the new findings on Cladomyrma and its host plants that accumulated over the last two decades. My studies of Cladomyrma reveal that there is a largely overlooked community of south-east Asian plant-ants and their associated plants. In spite of being species-rich and abundant this lineage of ants had been almost never collected. In cooperation with Donat Agosti the new species collected receive a formal taxo...
Insectes Soc, 1991
Two new myrmecophytic associations from the Malay Peninsula: ants of the genus Cladomyrma (Formic... more Two new myrmecophytic associations from the Malay Peninsula: ants of the genus Cladomyrma (Formicidae, Camponotinae) as partners of Saraca thaipingensis (Caesalpiniaceae) and Crypteronia griffithii (Crypteroniaceae)
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Feb 28, 2005
The biologically interesting ant-plant association, myrmecophytism, occurs in ca. 140 of the 11,0... more The biologically interesting ant-plant association, myrmecophytism, occurs in ca. 140 of the 11,000 species and 22 of the 630 genera of the coVee family (Rubiaceae). These myrmecophytic Rubiaceae species are predominantly distributed in Southeast Asia, especially the Malesian region, with comparatively few species in mainland Africa and the Neotropics. The mostly Southeast Asian genus Neonauclea s.s is one of the three Rubiaceae genera with extensive radiation of myrmecophytes and also the most speciose genus of the tribe Naucleeae s.l. We perform parsimony phylogenetic analyses of Neonauclea s.s., previously resolved as paraphyletic, and its allied genera using both ETS and ITS sequencing data to test: (1) the paraphyly of Neonauclea s.s.; (2) the phylogenetic relationships within the Ludekia-Myrmeconauclea-Neonauclea complex; and (3) the evolution of myrmecophytism within the complex. The earlier proposed paraphyly of Neonauclea s.s. appears to be the result of the combined eVects of parallel substitutions in Metadina trichotoma and the sampled ITS putative pseudogenes of Neonauclea longipedunculata and losses of some synapomorphies of Neonauclea s.s. in the latter. The analyses present strong support for the monophyly of Myrmeconauclea and Neonauclea s.s. and their sister-group relationships. Our Wndings additionally favor the hypothesis of multiple origins of myrmecophytism in the Bornean Neonauclea, which have independently been exploited by at least three Cladomyrma ant species. Furthermore, we interpret the low levels of variation in both the ETS and ITS sequences as indication of a recent and rapid radiation for Neonauclea s.s. (with 65 species) and a recent and slow radiation for Myrmeconauclea (with three species). We argue that the rapid diversiWcation of Neonauclea s.s. is partly associated with the nature of its fruits and its ability to colonize a wide range of habitats. We postulate that both ecological and geographical events may have been responsible for the radiation of the non-myrmecophytic Neonauclea species. Finally, we argue that the acquisition of the pseudo-multiple fruits and long-tailed seeds has allowed Myrmeconauclea to specialize on rheophytic habitats but its narrow ecological tolerance may have hindered its speciation.
Asian Myrmecology
The tree Pometia pinnata Forst. forma glabra (Bl.) Jacobs is an ant-plant that provides lodging (... more The tree Pometia pinnata Forst. forma glabra (Bl.) Jacobs is an ant-plant that provides lodging (leaf domatia) and food (extrafloral nectar, excretions of coccids) for ants. The leaf domatia are formed by two pairs of strongly modified basal leaflets. In total, 63 ant species from 18 genera and 4 subfamilies were encountered in the domatia of the host in the study area (Ulu Gombak, Malaysia). We found that the ant/ Pometia relationship has two stages: (i) an early 'myrmecophilic' phase of juvenile, domatia-free plants, and (ii) a 'myrmecophytic' phase of older plants in which ants nest in domatia. In the myrmecophilic stage, our short-term experiment revealed a significant greater loss of young leaflets when ants were excluded than on control plants to which ants had access; however, the area of remaining leaf was not different between treatment and control. Similar ambiguous effects were observed in the myrmecophytic stage: a snapshot census revealed no significant difference in the standing level of leaf herbivore damage between branches with and without nesting ants. However, our survey indicated that ant species differed in the protection provided to their host. Our data also suggest that presence of nesting ants substantially reduces damage to the leaf rachis.
[*article in German. Title = Callicarpa saccata, a Bornean ant-plant with leaf pouch domatia and ... more [*article in German. Title = Callicarpa saccata, a Bornean ant-plant with leaf pouch domatia and extrafloral nectaries - and the puzzling distribution of ant-plants with leaf pouch domatia.] Abstract: The genus Callicarpa (Verbenaceae) comprises c. 140 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and small trees, which are widespread in tropical and subtropical regions of the world as well as in the temperate regions of Asia and North America. The generic name Callicarpa is derived from the greek language and refers to the attractive-looking fruits meaning beauty fruit. This is one of the reasons why many Callicarpa species, such as the well-known Chinese Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii with its spectacular violet fruits, were introduced in parks and botanical gardens. This species is cultivated in the Palmengarten. Callicarpa saccata is a small tree of Central Sarawak with very conspicuous sac-like auricles at the base of the leaves. The hollow structures produced by the plant are ...
The monocotyledon climber Smilax borneensis A. Dc. (Smilacaceae) is a facultative ant-plant that ... more The monocotyledon climber Smilax borneensis A. Dc. (Smilacaceae) is a facultative ant-plant that provides both shelter (domatia) and food (extrafloral nectar) for opportunistically nesting ants. The domatia are bladder-like structures at the base of the petiole, facultatively colonised by different arboreal ant genera, e.g., Crematogaster, Dolichoderus, Technomyrmex and Polyrhachis. Ant occupancy of all studied domatia-bearing plants was 59% (16 from 27 plants), however the percentage of inhabited domatia per plant varied greatly, ranging from 2.2 to 87.5% (median 8.2, mean 20.0, ± 28.21 SD). Ant nutrition in the form of extrafloral nectar is produced at the tips of growing leaves. Similar domatia structures also occur in several other Smilax species, illustrating the potential of the genus Smilax for developing associations with ants.
Sociobiology
The rutaceous tree Zanthoxylum myriacanthum is a 'nonspecific' myrmecophyte that offers f... more The rutaceous tree Zanthoxylum myriacanthum is a 'nonspecific' myrmecophyte that offers food via extrafloral nectaries (EFN) as well as nesting space for ants inside its hollow branches and twigs. A total of 33 different species of ants from 4 subfamilies were recorded on the tree. Twenty-eight (85%) of these species were found nesting inside the domatia. None of these stem-nesting ant species appears to be a specialist occupant of Z. myriacanthum. Most of the nesting ant species showed no or little degree of effectiveness in anti-herbivore protection when loss of leaf area of inhabited branches is compared with those of uninhabited branches (the EFN of the latter still being accessible for ant visitors). For one ant species we could demonstrate a highly significant reduction of leaf area loss. The outcome of ant colonization on Z. myriacanthum will likely be diffuse because ant partners can vary markedly in space and time. In addition to biotic defence the tree also invests...
The monocotyledon climber Smilax borneensis A. Dc. (Smilacaceae) is a facultative ant-plant that ... more The monocotyledon climber Smilax borneensis A. Dc. (Smilacaceae) is a facultative ant-plant that provides both shelter (domatia) and food (extrafloral nectar) for opportunistically nesting ants. The domatia are bladder-like structures at the base of the petiole, facultatively colonised by different arboreal ant genera, e.g., Crematogaster, Dolichoderus, Technomyrmex and Polyrhachis. Ant occupancy of all studied domatia-bearing plants was 59% (16 from 27 plants), however the percentage of inhabited domatia per plant varied greatly, ranging from 2.2 to 87.5% (median 8.2, mean 20.0, ± 28.21 SD). Ant nutrition in the form of extrafloral nectar is produced at the tips of growing leaves. Similar domatia structures also occur in several other Smilax species, illustrating the potential of the genus Smilax for developing associations with ants.
The biologically interesting ant–plant association, myrmecophytism, occurs in ca. 140 of the 11,0... more The biologically interesting ant–plant association, myrmecophytism, occurs in ca. 140 of the 11,000 species and 22 of the 630 genera of the coffee family (Rubiaceae). These myrmecophytic Rubiaceae species are predominantly distributed in Southeast Asia, especially the Malesian region, with comparatively few species in mainland Africa and the Neotropics. The mostly Southeast Asian genus Neonauclea s.s is one of the three Rubiaceae genera with extensive radiation of myrmecophytes and also the most speciose genus of the tribe Naucleeae s.l. We perform parsimony phylogenetic analyses of Neonauclea s.s., previously resolved as paraphyletic, and its allied genera using both ETS and ITS sequencing data to test: (1) the paraphyly of Neonauclea s.s.; (2) the phylogenetic relationships within the Ludekia–Myrmeconauclea–Neonauclea complex; and (3) the evolution of myrmecophytism within the complex. The earlier proposed paraphyly of Neonauclea s.s. appears to be the result of the combined effec...
Biologie in unserer Zeit, 2015
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2005
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2005
The biologically interesting ant-plant association, myrmecophytism, occurs in ca. 140 of the 11,0... more The biologically interesting ant-plant association, myrmecophytism, occurs in ca. 140 of the 11,000 species and 22 of the 630 genera of the coVee family (Rubiaceae). These myrmecophytic Rubiaceae species are predominantly distributed in Southeast Asia, especially the Malesian region, with comparatively few species in mainland Africa and the Neotropics. The mostly Southeast Asian genus Neonauclea s.s is one of the three Rubiaceae genera with extensive radiation of myrmecophytes and also the most speciose genus of the tribe Naucleeae s.l. We perform parsimony phylogenetic analyses of Neonauclea s.s., previously resolved as paraphyletic, and its allied genera using both ETS and ITS sequencing data to test: (1) the paraphyly of Neonauclea s.s.; (2) the phylogenetic relationships within the Ludekia-Myrmeconauclea-Neonauclea complex; and (3) the evolution of myrmecophytism within the complex. The earlier proposed paraphyly of Neonauclea s.s. appears to be the result of the combined eVects of parallel substitutions in Metadina trichotoma and the sampled ITS putative pseudogenes of Neonauclea longipedunculata and losses of some synapomorphies of Neonauclea s.s. in the latter. The analyses present strong support for the monophyly of Myrmeconauclea and Neonauclea s.s. and their sister-group relationships. Our Wndings additionally favor the hypothesis of multiple origins of myrmecophytism in the Bornean Neonauclea, which have independently been exploited by at least three Cladomyrma ant species. Furthermore, we interpret the low levels of variation in both the ETS and ITS sequences as indication of a recent and rapid radiation for Neonauclea s.s. (with 65 species) and a recent and slow radiation for Myrmeconauclea (with three species). We argue that the rapid diversiWcation of Neonauclea s.s. is partly associated with the nature of its fruits and its ability to colonize a wide range of habitats. We postulate that both ecological and geographical events may have been responsible for the radiation of the non-myrmecophytic Neonauclea species. Finally, we argue that the acquisition of the pseudo-multiple fruits and long-tailed seeds has allowed Myrmeconauclea to specialize on rheophytic habitats but its narrow ecological tolerance may have hindered its speciation.
Ecotropica, 1999
Abstract. The hollow дат> of m-, iny SE A:¡ ilways occurred on previously niit-miiabired twigs... more Abstract. The hollow дат> of m-, iny SE A:¡ ilways occurred on previously niit-miiabired twigs. We d The major predator is probably the abundan in a large cage colonized twig: labitt-plums ate frequently torn open bv predators. These conspicuous injuries We ...