Torture tree, Triplaris

Tangarana ants on tangarana tree ( torture tree Triplaris sp.). Instead of its own plant metabolites, this tree depends on ants to defend it and rewards them with nectar from extrafloral nectaries. Manu National Park, Peru, 15 Dec 2004... 

The tangarana tree (or torture tree, Triplaris sp., Polygonaceae, see Figure) is less chemically defended than other trees. Instead, it depends on ants to protect it. They live in the hollow trunk and feed on nectar produced by extrafloral nectaries, the tree s reward for being defended by the ants ( Torture tfee refers to tying someone to the tree to be bitten by the large ants as punishment). 

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See also in sourсe #XX -- [ ]

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