THE GERMINATION OF <em>LEEA</em> <em>GUINEENSIS</em> (LEEACEAE) AND ITS ROLE IN ARTHROPOD COMMUNITIES

Abstract

Herrmann JD. 2012. The germination of Leea guineensis (Leeaceae) and its role in arthropod communities. Despite the evolutionary affinity of Leea spp. with grapes and their potential use as medicinal herb, the ecology of Leea guineensis is poorly known. Information on its ecology is important if L. guineensis is to be included in high diversity forest farming systems. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the general germination requirements of L. guineensis and its importance to arthropod communities. Leea guineensis had low germination rate under laboratory conditions. The best germination rate was 27 °C with exposure to light, a characteristic of pioneer plants. The study highlighted the role of L. guineensis as food source for a variety of arthropod species. It is classified as myrmecophyte, showing mutualistic relationship with ants from the genus Crematogaster. The study suggests the use of this plant as a pioneer species in high diversity forest farming systems.