Bullhorn Acacia, Acacia sp, tree with symbiotic ants
Bullhorn Acacia Acacia sp tree showing thorns that are hollow to provide a home for ants with which it has a symbiotic relationship The thorns provide shelter for the stinging ants which in turn protect the plant from attack by herbivorous invertebrates and mammals The Acacia plants also make food for the ants by providing nectar and lipid rich granules called Beltian Bodies Carara National Park Costa Rica
Size: 5123px × 3368px
Photo credit: © MShieldsPhotos / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: acacia, acacieae, ant, ants, bull, bullhorn, bullthorn, coevolution, ecology, fabaceae, flora, habitat, horn, hymenoptera, hymenopteran, insect, mutualism, mutualistic, neotropical, plant, relationship, shelter, stinging, swollen, symbiosis, symbiotic, thorn, thorns, tree
