PRF/M: Amino Acids of Passiflora extrafloral Nectars and Their Role in Attracting Ant Protectors

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Dr. Janet Lanza, of the Biology Department at the State University of New York's Fredonia campus, will spend the 13-month tenure of her Mid-Career Fellowship in Environmental Biology at the University of Texas at Austin, in Dr. Lawrence E. Gilbert's laboratory, with field studies to be conducted at Costa Rica's Corcovado National Park. Her attention will be focused on measuring variation (both within and among species) in amino acid levels in the extrafloral nectars of nine sympatric Passiflora (passion flower) species, and documenting the extent to which this resource enhances defense by ants in protecting the plant against insect herbivores such as Heliconius (butterfly) caterpillars. This research will increase our understanding of ant-plant mutualistic interactions and may serve as the basis for future studies of the genetic control of nectar composition and the effects of environmental variability on nectar composition. Ultimately, results could lead to improved agricultural and horticultural practices by providing a natural example of plant protection by biological means. The work will also provide information about fundamental ecological processes in the tropics.