Consumption of Mullerian Bodies by Golden-olive Woodpecker (Colaptes rubiginosus) in Nicaragua's Highlands

M.A. Torrez; Wayne J. Arendt; L. Diaz

Treesearch

Consumption of Mullerian Bodies by Golden-olive Woodpecker (Colaptes rubiginosus) in Nicaragua's Highlands

Formally Refereed

Authors:

M.A. Torrez, Wayne J. Arendt, L. Diaz

Year:

2016

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

International Institute of Tropical Forestry

Source:

Wilson Journal of Ornithology

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Abstract

The Golden-olive Woodpecker is a generalist species found in a wide range of habitats, being particularly common in coffee plantations within Nicaraguan cloud forests. Observations of an individual feeding at the base of Cecropia leaves revealed it was consuming Mullerian bodies that the Cecropia produces to feed Azteca ants as part of a host-inhabitant mutualistic symbiosis. This record further documents the plasticity of some species as they search for alternative sources of energy.

Keywords

cloud forest, tropics, Cecropia, Colaptes rubiginosus, Mullerian bodies, ants

Citation

Torrez, M.A.; Arendt, W.J.; Diaz, L. 2016. Consumption of Mullerian Bodies by Golden-olive Woodpecker (Colaptes rubiginosus) in Nicaragua's Highlands. Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 128:190-193.