Factors influencing extrafloral nectar mediated ant-plant interactions in the Sonoran Desert

The structure of species interactions in communities is of tremendous importance to the dynamics of communities. Although our understanding of community structure continues to improve, the mechanisms leading to structure remain elusive. Only recently have structural properties of mutualistic networks been identified, and little research has explored mechanisms leading to mutualistic network structure. Common mutualistic communities are those formed between ants and extrafloral nectar bearing plants. We explore the contribution of abundance, body size, extrafloral nectar resources, and spatial distribution of plants and ant nests, to the structure of ant-plant interactions in the Sonoran Desert. We hope this work will contribute to our understanding of ant communities in the Sonoran Desert, and mutualistic communities in general.