Mutualistic ants contribute to tank-bromeliad nutrition

† Background and Aims: Epiphytism imposes physiological constraints resulting from the lackof access to the nutrient sources available to ground-rooted plants.A conspicuous adaptation in response to that lack is the phytotelm ( plantheld waters) of tank-bromeliad species that are often nutrient-rich. Associations with terrestrial invertebrates also result in higher plant nutrient acquisition…