Convergent structure and function of mycelial galleries in two unrelated Neotropical plant-ants.

The construction process and use of galleries by (Myrmicinae: Dolichoderinae) inhabiting (Salicaceae) were compared with (Myrmicinae: Solenopsidini) galleries on (Chrysobalanaceae). Though the two ant species are phylogenetically distant, the gallery structure seems to be surprisingly similar and structurally convergent: both are pierced with numerous holes and both ant species use Chaetothyrialean fungi to strengthen the gallery walls. is known to use the galleries for prey capture and whether this is also the case for was tested in field experiments. We placed workers as potential prey/threat on the galleries and recorded the behaviour of both ant species. We found considerable behavioural differences between them: was quicker and more efficient at capture than was . While most workers were captured after the first 5 min by , significantly fewer were captured by even after 20 min. Moreover, the captured were sometimes simply discarded and not taken to the nest by . As a consequence, the major function of the galleries built by may, therefore, be defense against intruders in contrast to which uses them mainly for prey capture. This may be due to a higher need for protein in compared to coccid-raising .