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Qashqaei AT, Ghaedi Z, Coogan SCP. Diet composition of omnivorous Mesopotamian spiny-tailed lizards ( Saara loricata) in arid human-altered landscapes of Southwest Iran. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9783. [PMID: 36744080 PMCID: PMC9889844 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The Mesopotamian spiny-tailed lizard, Saara loricata, is one of the largest lizard species in the Middle East. Here, we report on the diet of the lizard and their potential role in seed dispersal in Southwestern Iran. We analyzed lizard fecal pellet groups (n = 124) for their food item composition and seed content. We calculated the relative frequency of occurrence (FO%), relative volume (V%), and importance value (IV%) for each food item. Moreover, the number of seeds of each plant food item was counted. Our findings reveal the first solid evidence of omnivorous behavior in the lizard. In total, 16 plant food items and 14 animal food items were identified. Herbaceous plants (IV = 110.2%) and invertebrates (4.8%) were the most important food groups. The plant food items with the highest FO% were Poaceae (56.4%), Centaurea sp. (43.5%), and Medicago polymorpha (27.4%); and the V% for these items were 53.6%, 30.9%, and 13.1%, respectively. Most of the seeds that were consumed by lizards were from Poaceae (547 seeds; 47.81%) and Fabaceae (285 seeds; 24.91%). We also found that each individual lizard could play an equal role in the seed dispersal of all plant families identified. Previous studies show that plant species density and richness are important features for the burrow site selection of Mesopotamian spiny-tailed lizard. This study highlights the potential role of lizards in influencing the vegetation communities around their burrows through seed dispersal.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sean C. P. Coogan
- Department of Renewable ResourcesUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
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2
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Mason DS, Baruzzi C, Lashley MA. Passive directed dispersal of plants by animals. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:1908-1929. [PMID: 35770842 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Conceptual gaps and imprecise terms and definitions may obscure the breadth of plant-animal dispersal relationships involved in directed dispersal. The term 'directed' indicates predictable delivery to favourable microsites. However, directed dispersal was initially considered uncommon in diffuse mutualisms (i.e. those involving many species), partly because plants rarely influence post-removal propagule fate without specialized adaptations. This rationale implies that donor plants play an active role in directed dispersal by manipulating vector behaviour after propagule removal. However, even in most classic examples of directed dispersal, participating plants do not influence animal behaviour after propagule removal. Instead, such plants may take advantage of vector attraction to favourable plant microsites, indicating a need to expand upon current interpretations of directed dispersal. We contend that directed dispersal can emerge whenever propagules are disproportionately delivered to favourable microsites as a result of predictably skewed vector behaviour. Thus, we propose distinguishing active and passive forms of directed dispersal. In active directed dispersal, the donor plant achieves disproportionate arrival to favourable microsites by influencing vector behaviour after propagule removal. By contrast, passive directed dispersal occurs when the donor plant takes advantage of vector behaviour to arrive at favourable microsites. Whereas predictable post-removal vector behaviour is dictated by characteristics of the donor plant in active directed dispersal, characteristics of the destination dictate predictable post-removal vector behaviour in passive directed dispersal. Importantly, this passive form of directed dispersal may emerge in more plant-animal dispersal relationships because specialized adaptations in donor plants that influence post-removal vector behaviour are not required. We explore the occurrence and consequences of passive directed dispersal using the unifying generalized gravity model of dispersal. This model successfully describes vectored dispersal by incorporating the influence of the environment (i.e. attractiveness of microsites) on vector movement. When applying gravity models to dispersal, the three components of Newton's gravity equation (i.e. gravitational force, object mass, and distance between centres of mass) become analogous to propagules moving towards a location based on characteristics of the donor plant, the destination, and relocation processes. The generalized gravity model predicts passive directed dispersal in plant-animal dispersal relationships when (i) animal vectors are predictably attracted to specific destinations, (ii) animal vectors disproportionately disperse propagules to those destinations, and (iii) those destinations are also favourable microsites for the dispersed plants. Our literature search produced evidence for these three conditions broadly, and we identified 13 distinct scenarios where passive directed dispersal likely occurs because vector behaviour is predictably skewed towards favourable microsites. We discuss the wide applicability of passive directed dispersal to plant-animal mutualisms and provide new insights into the vulnerability of those mutualisms to global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Mason
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, PO Box 110430, 1745 McCarty Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0410, USA
| | - Carolina Baruzzi
- School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, University of Florida, PO Box 110410, 1745 McCarty Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0410, USA
| | - Marcus A Lashley
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, PO Box 110430, 1745 McCarty Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0410, USA
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3
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Long-term dynamics of the network structures in seed dispersal associated with fluctuations in bird migration and fruit abundance patterns. Oecologia 2022; 198:457-470. [PMID: 35112172 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-021-05102-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In temperate zones, seed-dispersal networks by migratory birds are formed on long time scale. In mid-October from 2005 to 2016, to explore the dynamics of the network structures, we examined interannual variability of fruit abundance, bird migration, and seed-dispersal networks in central Japan. For 12 years, the fruit abundance exhibited a remarkable fluctuation across years, with the number of fruiting plants and matured fruits fluctuating repeatedly every other year, leading to the periodic fluctuations. The abundance of migratory birds was also fluctuated. According to the abundance of fruits and migratory birds, the 12 years was classified into three types: frugivores and fruits were abundant, frugivores were abundant but fruits were scarce, and frugivores were scarce. The seed-dispersal networks were investigated by collecting faeces and vomits of migrants. Of the 6652 samples collected from 15 bird species, 1671 (25.1%) included seeds from 60 plant species. Main dispersers were composed of Turdus pallidus, T. obscurus, and Zosterops japonicus. The network structures were almost nested for 12 years. Specifically, the nested structure was developed in years when fruit abundance was low. GLM analyses showed the abundance of migrants, particularly T. pallidus and T. obscurus, had strong positive effects on nested structure. It may be caused by the fact the two Turdus species were more frequently functioning as generalist dispersers when fruit abundance was lower. Our study suggested fruit abundance and foraging behaviour of frugivores determine the network structures of seed dispersal on long time scale.
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4
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Schubert SC, Walters EL. Subannual phenology and the effect of staggered fruit ripening on dispersal competition. Biotropica 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Spencer C. Schubert
- Department of Biological Sciences Old Dominion University Norfolk Virginia USA
| | - Eric L. Walters
- Department of Biological Sciences Old Dominion University Norfolk Virginia USA
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5
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Fruit secondary metabolites shape seed dispersal effectiveness. Trends Ecol Evol 2021; 36:1113-1123. [PMID: 34509316 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2021.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) play a central role in seed dispersal and fruit defense, with potential for large impacts on plant fitness and demography. Yet because PSMs can have multiple interactive functions across seed dispersal stages, we must systematically study their effects to determine the net consequences for plant fitness. To tackle this issue, we integrate the role of fruit PSMs into the seed dispersal effectiveness (SDE) framework. We describe PSM effects on the quantity and quality of animal-mediated seed dispersal, both in pairwise interactions and diverse disperser communities, as well as trade-offs that occur across dispersal stages. By doing so, this review provides structure to a rapidly growing field and yields insights into a critical process shaping plant populations.
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6
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Palacio FX, Cataudela JF, Montalti D, Ordano M. Do frugivores exert selection on fruiting phenology? Potential scenarios across three plant populations of a Neotropical vine, Passiflora caerulea. Evol Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-021-10121-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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7
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Yang Y, Lin Y, Shi L. The effect of lizards on the dispersal and germination of Capparis spinosa (Capparaceae). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247585. [PMID: 33635876 PMCID: PMC7909692 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Seed dispersal is a key component of the interactions between plants and animals. There is little research on the effects of lizard seed dispersal, which is more common on islands than elsewhere. In this study, the effects of the passage of Capparis spinosa seeds through Teratoscincus roborowskii lizard digestive tracts on the seed coats, water uptake rates and germination rates were investigated. In addition, the spatial patterns of fecal deposition by lizards in various microhabitats were assessed. Our results showed that the mean retention time (MRT) of mealworms was significantly longer than that of C. spinosa seeds in both adult and juvenile lizards. The defecation rate of C. spinosa tended to be lower than that of mealworms, which might be beneficial for seed dispersal. It was determined that the longer MRT of C. spinosa seeds enhanced the permeability of the seed coats, which promoted fast water uptake, broke seed dormancy and increased the seed germination rate. Furthermore, the seeds that passed through the digestive tracts of lizards were deposited in favorable germination microhabitats. By enhancing seed germination and depositing intact and viable seeds in safe potential recruitment sites, the lizard T. roborowskii acts, at least qualitatively, as an effective disperser of C. spinosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yang
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yingying Lin
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Lei Shi
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- * E-mail:
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Araki N, Hirayama K. Differences in the fruit removal patterns of
Cleyera japonica
by frugivorous birds in two forest stands at different developmental stages in a warm‐temperate region. Ecol Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1703.12188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nana Araki
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences Kyoto Prefectural University Kyoto Japan
| | - Kimiko Hirayama
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences Kyoto Prefectural University Kyoto Japan
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9
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Tsunamoto Y, Naoe S, Masaki T, Isagi Y. Different contributions of birds and mammals to seed dispersal of a fleshy-fruited tree. Basic Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2019.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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10
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Mori H, Masaki T, Tsunamoto Y, Naoe S. Survival rate and environmental response of current-year seedlings of the temperate liana Wisteria floribunda across a heterogeneous environment. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2020; 133:193-203. [PMID: 31897743 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-019-01163-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Lianas have a huge influence on forest structure and function. However, it is unclear how the surrounding environment affects the establishment of liana seedlings in temperate forests. We addressed the following questions: (1) Can current-year seedlings persist under a closed canopy? (2) Do current-year seedlings form aggregated distribution and how has their spatial distribution varied over the years? (3) How does the light condition, soil moisture content, forest floor litter, understory vegetation, and the distance from the conspecific adults affect the establishment and survival of seedlings? We examined the distribution pattern and survivorship of current-year seedlings of the temperate liana species, Wisteria floribunda, across a heterogeneous environment for 6 years using 1 m2 sub-quadrats (n = 651) in a 6 ha plot within the Ogawa Forest Reserve, an old-growth, temperate, deciduous forest in central Japan. In total, 908 current-year seedlings were observed during the study period, 87% of which emerged in 2014. Over half (56%) of these seedlings survived until 1 year after germination, which was relatively high compared with other tree species in this forest. The seedlings formed significantly aggregated distribution, but the degree of aggregation decreased over time. The number of emerged seedlings was negatively associated with the presence of dwarf bamboo (Sasa borealis) and the distance from the nearest conspecific adult. However, the survival rate of the seedlings was negatively associated with the presence of dwarf bamboo and soil moisture content and was positively associated with the openness of the canopy and the distance from the nearest conspecific adult. An enhanced survival rate under more intense light conditions and the ability to persist within the shaded understory may be important for the survival of this species in the earlier stage of the life history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideki Mori
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Matsunosato 1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8687, Japan.
| | - Takashi Masaki
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Matsunosato 1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8687, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Tsunamoto
- Tohoku Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 92-25 Nabeyashiki, Shimokuriyagawa, Morioka, Iwate, 020-0123, Japan
| | - Shoji Naoe
- Tohoku Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 92-25 Nabeyashiki, Shimokuriyagawa, Morioka, Iwate, 020-0123, Japan
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11
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Naoe S, Tayasu I, Sakai Y, Masaki T, Kobayashi K, Nakajima A, Sato Y, Yamazaki K, Kiyokawa H, Koike S. Downhill seed dispersal by temperate mammals: a potential threat to plant escape from global warming. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14932. [PMID: 31624326 PMCID: PMC6797773 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51376-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Vertical seed dispersal, i.e. seed dispersal towards a higher or lower altitude, is considered a critical process for plant escape from climate change. However, studies exploring vertical seed dispersal are scarce, and thus, its direction, frequency, and mechanisms are little known. In the temperate zone, evaluating vertical seed dispersal of animal-dispersed plants fruiting in autumn and/or winter is essential considering the dominance of such plants in temperate forests. We hypothesized that their seeds are dispersed towards lower altitudes because of the downhill movement of frugivorous animals following the autumn-to-winter phenology of their food plants which proceeds from the mountain tops to the foot in the temperate zone. We evaluated the vertical seed dispersal of the autumn-fruiting wild kiwi, Actinidia arguta, which is dispersed by temperate mammals. We collected dispersed seeds from mammal faeces in the Kanto Mountains of central Japan and estimated the distance of vertical seed dispersal using the oxygen isotope ratios of the dispersed seeds. We found the intensive downhill seed dispersal of wild kiwi by all seed dispersers, except the raccoon dog (bear: mean −393.1 m; marten: −245.3 m; macaque: −98.5 m; and raccoon dog: +4.5 m). Mammals with larger home ranges dispersed seeds longer towards the foot of the mountains. Furthermore, we found that seeds produced at higher altitudes were dispersed a greater distance towards the foot of the mountains. Altitudinal gradients in autumn-to-winter plant phenology and other mountain characteristics, i.e. larger surface areas and more attractive human crops at lower altitudes compared to higher altitudes, were considered drivers of downhill seed dispersal via animal movement. Strong downhill seed dispersal by mammals suggests that populations of autumn-to-winter fruiting plants dispersed by animals may not be able to sufficiently escape from current global warming in the temperate zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoji Naoe
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Matsunosato 1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8687, Japan. .,Tohoku Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 92-25 Nabeyashiki, Shimokuriyagawa, Morioka, Iwate, 020-0123, Japan.
| | - Ichiro Tayasu
- Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, 457-4 Motoyama, Kamigamo, Kita-ku, Kyoto, 603-8047, Japan.,Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Hirano 2-509-3, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2113, Japan
| | - Yoichiro Sakai
- Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Hirano 2-509-3, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2113, Japan.,Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute, 5-34 Yanagasaki, Ohtsu, Shiga, 520-0022, Japan
| | - Takashi Masaki
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Matsunosato 1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8687, Japan
| | - Kazuki Kobayashi
- College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-8510, Japan
| | - Akiko Nakajima
- College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-8510, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Sato
- College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-8510, Japan.,Rakuno Gakuen University, 582 Bunkyodai-Midorimachi, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, 069-8501, Japan
| | - Koji Yamazaki
- Ibaraki Nature Museum, 700 Ohsaki, Bando, Ibaraki, 306-0622, Japan.,Department of Forest Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya, Tokyo, 156-8502, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kiyokawa
- Laboratory of Biodiversity Science, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Koike
- Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan
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12
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Masaki T, Nakashizuka T, Niiyama K, Tanaka H, Iida S, Bullock JM, Naoe S. Impact of the spatial uncertainty of seed dispersal on tree colonization dynamics in a temperate forest. OIKOS 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.06236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Masaki
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Inst., Matsunosato 1, Tsukuba JP‐305‐8687 Ibaraki Japan
| | | | - Kaoru Niiyama
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Inst., Matsunosato 1, Tsukuba JP‐305‐8687 Ibaraki Japan
| | - Hiroshi Tanaka
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Inst., Matsunosato 1, Tsukuba JP‐305‐8687 Ibaraki Japan
| | - Shigeo Iida
- Kyushu Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Inst Kumamoto Japan
| | | | - Shoji Naoe
- Tohoku Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Inst Iwate Japan
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