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The commonest insects in the Kinabalu Park, at least in terms of mass, are
probably the ants, which are most abundant in the lowland forest. Ants formed
more than 50% of the total individuals collected in a canopy-fogging experiment
at Poring Hot Springs in 19998, and they have developed a staggering array of
life-styles, including many mutually beneficial associations with plants
several of these relationships can be observed in the Kinabalu Park.
  Species of the small secondary forests trees Macaranga, are often associated
with ants. Usually the ants make their nests in the hollow stems and rush to the
plant’s defence if it is attacked by herbivores. Ants living in association with
certain rattan palms build their nests in the old hollow leaf sheaths that the
palm seems to retain particularly for this purpose, and protect the young shoots
from predators in the same way. These ants also maintain extensive colonies of
aphids on the same palm which provide them with food in the form of honey-dew.
Certain ferns such as species of the epiphytic Lecanopteris have developed
enlarged hollow rhizomes in which the ants build their nests, providing shelter
in exchange for nutrients from the ants’ waste products. Fallen pieces of the
old, empty rhizomes are sometimes seen along the trails at park HQ. Ants and
other insects have also developed unusual relationships with the insect-eating
pitcher plants. Though a few individuals may be drowned, dissolved and absorbed
by the pitcher plant as food, the community may a whole benefits from the rich
supply of nectar that the pitchers offer. |
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