myrmecochorous
Myrmecochorous refers to seeds or fruits that have elaiosomes, which are fleshy, oil-rich appendages that attract ants. Ants are known to collect these seeds, not for consumption of the seed itself, but for the elaiosome. Once the ants return to their nests, they remove and eat the elaiosome, discarding the seed nearby. This process is a form of myrmecochory, a type of zoochory or seed dispersal by animals.
The elaiosomes are vital for myrmecochory. They typically contain lipids, proteins, and amino acids, making them
Myrmecochory is a widespread phenomenon, particularly in certain ecosystems like the Mediterranean, Australia, and the Americas.