Disruption of an ant-plant mutualism shapes interactions between lions and their primary prey

Kamaru, D. N. et al. (2024) Disruption of an ant-plant mutualism shapes interactions between lions and their primary prey. Science, 383(6681), pp. 433-438. (doi: 10.1126/science.adg1464) (PMID:38271503)

Abstract

Mutualisms often define ecosystems, but they are susceptible to human activities. Combining experiments, animal tracking, and mortality investigations, we show that the invasive big-headed ant (Pheidole megacephala) makes lions (Panthera leo) less effective at killing their primary prey, plains zebra (Equus quagga). Big-headed ants disrupted the mutualism between native ants (Crematogaster spp.) and the dominant whistling-thorn tree (Vachellia drepanolobium), rendering trees vulnerable to elephant (Loxodonta africana) browsing and resulting in landscapes with higher visibility. Although zebra kills were significantly less likely to occur in higher-visibility, invaded areas, lion numbers did not decline since the onset of the invasion, likely because of prey-switching to African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). We show that by controlling biophysical structure across landscapes, a tiny invader reconfigured predator-prey dynamics among iconic species.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding: This research was financially supported by grants from the US National Science Foundation (NSF DEB 1556905) to T.M.P., C.R., and J.R.G.; the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium to J.R.G.; the American Society of Mammalogists African Research Fellowship to D.N.K.; the Rufford Foundation to D.N.K.; the University of Wyoming’s Biodiversity Institute to D.N.K.; the University of Wyoming’s College of Agriculture, Life Sciences, and Natural Resources Global Perspectives Grant Program to J.R.G.; the University of Wyoming’s Global Engagement Office International Research Grant to J.R.G.; and the University of Wyoming’s Department of Zoology and Physiology.
• Keywords: Ants - physiology, Equidae, Buffaloes, Symbiosis, Food Chain, Animals, Myrmecophytes, Lions, Elephants
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kavwele, Cyrus Mutunga
• Authors: Kamaru, D. N., Palmer, T. M., Riginos, C., Ford, A. T., Belnap, J., Chira, R. M., Githaiga, J. M., Gituku, B. C., Hays, B. R., Kavwele, C. M., Kibungei, A. K., Lamb, C. T., Maiyo, N. J., Milligan, P. D., Mutisya, S., Ng'weno, C. C., Ogutu, M., Pietrek, A. G., Wildt, B. T., and Goheen, J. R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Science
• Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science
• ISSN: 0036-8075
• ISSN (Online): 1095-9203