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Gonzálvez M, Muñoz-Hernández C. R programming environment in wildlife: Are Veterinary Sciences at the same level than other research areas? Res Vet Sci 2024; 166:105079. [PMID: 37963421 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.105079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
The computing environment has revolutionized the management and analysis of data in sciences during the last decades. This study aimed to evaluate the use of R software in research articles addressing the study of wildlife worldwide, particularly focusing on the research area "Veterinary Sciences". For this purpose, a systematic review mainly performed in the Web of Science database was conducted. Out of a total of 509 articles reviewed, our results show an increasing trend of the number of publications using the R software over time, as well as a wide geographical distribution at a global scale, particularly in North America, Europe, Australia and China. Most publications were categorized in research areas related to "Biological Sciences", while a minority of them was included in "Veterinary Sciences" (5.9%; 30/509). About the species groups assessed, many articles evaluated a single species group (96.5%), being mammals (50.7%) and birds (14.8%) the most studied ones. The present study showed a high variety of R-packages used in the publications reviewed, all of them related to data analysis, the study of genetic/phylogenetic information and graphical representation. Interestingly, the common use of packages between different research areas is indicative of the high interest of using R software in scientific articles. Our study points the R software as an open-source programming language that allows to support research addressing the study of wildlife, becoming a key software for many research areas, including "Veterinary Sciences". However, an in-depth methodological description about the use of R software in publications to improve the tracking, reproducibility and transparency is encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain.
| | - Clara Muñoz-Hernández
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; Grupo SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
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2
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Mokotjomela TM, Vukeya LR, Pamla L, Scott Z. The critical role of coastal protected areas in buffering impacts of extreme climatic conditions on bird diversity and their ecosystem services' provisioning in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10452. [PMID: 37869441 PMCID: PMC10587736 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10452] [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: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we documented the diversity of bird species in the Eastern Cape coastal nature reserves (i.e., Hluleka, Dwesa, Silaka and Mkhambati nature reserves), and determined the potential role of each bird species in habitat maintenance using two functional traits (i.e., body mass and feeding mode) as the function's proxy. We applied the timed species count approach during bird observations, coupled with drive-by surveys to maximise spatial coverage of each nature reserve over four years. To evaluate functional diversity, bird species were classified based on functional traits such as the adult body, and their potential ecological role derived from their feeding mode and habitat associations. Over 864 h, we accumulated 818 bird records containing 178 different bird species that were classified into 58 families with 32 species occurring in all nature reserves. Shannon-Wiener Diversity Indices showed very high overall species diversity across the nature reserves (H > 3.5) with no differences detected across sites. Although no significant correlations between vegetation changes measured through Normalised Difference vegetation Index (NDVI) in each nature reserve and the number of bird records, forest bird species were dominant (42.1%; N = 178) throughout years of observation and diversity remained high (H > 3.5). Bird species abundance only increased significantly across all nature reserves during 2018-2019. All four nature reserves had a similar distribution of bird functional traits with both high functional richness (FRic = 1), and divergence (FDiv = 0.8) and moderate evenness (FEve = 0.4). Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) demonstrated a positive correlation between bird sizes and functions with large birds mainly associated with predators and carrion. Small birds and medium birds had a similar composition of species in terms of functionality being seed dispersers across the nature reserves. A significant effect that insectivores and carrions displayed in MCA plots, suggest the availability of indirect pollination services. Despite extreme drought conditions across the country in 2019, NDVI levels remained largely consistent over time in these four reserves; and thus, they offer important refuge for birds during extreme climatic conditions such as drought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thabiso Michael Mokotjomela
- South Africa National Biodiversity InstituteFree State National Botanical GardenBloemfonteinSouth Africa
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalPietermaritzburgSouth Africa
| | | | - Lwandiso Pamla
- Scientific Services UnitEastern Cape Parks and Tourism AgencyEast LondonSouth Africa
| | - Zimbini Scott
- South Africa National Biodiversity InstituteFree State National Botanical GardenBloemfonteinSouth Africa
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Bitani N, Cordier CP, Ehlers Smith DA, Ehlers Smith YC, Downs CT. Avian species functional diversity and habitat use: The role of forest structural attributes and tree diversity in the Midlands Mistbelt Forests of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10439. [PMID: 37664503 PMCID: PMC10469004 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Forest transformation has major impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Identifying the influence of forest habitat structure and composition on avian functional communities is important for conserving and managing forest systems. This study investigated the effect of forest structure and composition characteristics on bird species community structure, habitat use and functional diversity in 14 Mistbelt Forest patches of the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. We surveyed bird communities using point counts. We quantified bird functional diversity for each forest patch using three diversity indices: functional richness, functional evenness and functional divergence. We further assessed species-specific responses by focussing on three avian forest specialists, orange ground-thrush Geokichla gurneyi, forest canary Crithagra scotops and Cape parrot Poicephalus robustus. We found that bird community and forest-specialist species responses to forest structure and tree species diversity differed. Also, forest structural complexity, canopy cover and tree species richness were the main forest characteristics better at explaining microhabitat influence on bird functional diversity. Forest patches with relatively high structural complexity and tree species richness had higher functional richness. Different structural characteristics influenced habitat use by the three forest specialists. Tree species diversity influenced C. scotops and G. gurneyi positively, while P. robustus responded negatively to forest patches with high tree species richness. Our study showed that site-scale forest structure and composition characteristics are important for bird species richness and functional richness. Forest patches with high tree species diversity and structural complexity should be maintained to conserve forest specialists, bird species richness and functional richness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasiphi Bitani
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life SciencesUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalPietermaritzburgSouth Africa
| | - Craig P. Cordier
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life SciencesUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalPietermaritzburgSouth Africa
| | - David A. Ehlers Smith
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life SciencesUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalPietermaritzburgSouth Africa
| | - Yvette C. Ehlers Smith
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life SciencesUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalPietermaritzburgSouth Africa
- Ezemvelo KwaZulu‐Natal WildlifePietermaritzburgSouth Africa
| | - Colleen T. Downs
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life SciencesUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalPietermaritzburgSouth Africa
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Trabelcy B, Shteindel N, Lalzar M, Izhaki I, Gerchman Y. Bacterial detoxification of plant defence secondary metabolites mediates the interaction between a shrub and frugivorous birds. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1821. [PMID: 37002264 PMCID: PMC10066296 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37525-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Many plants produce fleshy fruits, attracting fruit-eating animals that disperse the seeds in their droppings. Such seed dispersal results in a conflict between the plant and the animal, as digestion of seeds can be highly beneficial to the animal but reduces plant fitness. The plant Ochradenus baccatus uses the myrosinase-glucosinolates system to protect its seeds. We show that hydrolysis of the O. baccatus fruit glucosinolates by the myrosinase enzyme inhibited digestive enzymes and hampered digestion in naïve individuals of the bird Pycnonotus xanthopygos. However, digestion in birds regularly feeding on O. baccatus fruits was unaffected. We find that Pantoea bacteria, dominating the gut of these experienced birds as well as the fruits, thrive on glucosinolates hydrolysis products in culture. Augmentation of Pantoea protects both naïve birds and plant seedlings from the effects of glucosinolates hydrolysis products. Our findings demonstrate a tripartite interaction, where the plant-bird mutually beneficial interactions are mediated by a communal bacterial tenant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beny Trabelcy
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel.
| | - Nimrod Shteindel
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Maya Lalzar
- Bioinformatic Unit, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ido Izhaki
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Yoram Gerchman
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel.
- Oranim College, Kiryat Tivon, 3600600, Israel.
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Moles AT, Dalrymple RL, Raghu S, Bonser SP, Ollerton J. Advancing the missed mutualist hypothesis, the under-appreciated twin of the enemy release hypothesis. Biol Lett 2022; 18:20220220. [PMID: 36259169 PMCID: PMC9579764 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduced species often benefit from escaping their enemies when they are transported to a new range, an idea commonly expressed as the enemy release hypothesis. However, species might shed mutualists as well as enemies when they colonize a new range. Loss of mutualists might reduce the success of introduced populations, or even cause failure to establish. We provide the first quantitative synthesis testing this natural but often overlooked parallel of the enemy release hypothesis, which is known as the missed mutualist hypothesis. Meta-analysis showed that plants interact with 1.9 times more mutualist species, and have 2.3 times more interactions with mutualists per unit time in their native range than in their introduced range. Species may mitigate the negative effects of missed mutualists. For instance, selection arising from missed mutualists could cause introduced species to evolve either to facilitate interactions with a new suite of species or to exist without mutualisms. Just as enemy release can allow introduced populations to redirect energy from defence to growth, potentially evolving increased competitive ability, species that shift to strategies without mutualists may be able to reallocate energy from mutualism toward increased competitive ability or seed production. The missed mutualist hypothesis advances understanding of the selective forces and filters that act on plant species in the early stages of introduction and establishment and thus could inform the management of introduced species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela T. Moles
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Rhiannon L. Dalrymple
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - S. Raghu
- CSIRO, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
| | - Stephen P. Bonser
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Jeff Ollerton
- Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology, University of Northampton, Waterside Campus, Northampton NN1 5PH, UK,Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
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6
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Aguado WD, Rogers HS, Pruetz JD. Chimpanzees as ecosystem service providers: Seed dispersal of an economically important plant resource. Biotropica 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- William D. Aguado
- Department of World Languages and Cultures Iowa State University Ames Iowa USA
| | - Haldre S. Rogers
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Iowa State University Ames Iowa USA
| | - Jill D. Pruetz
- Department of Anthropology Texas State University San Marcos Texas USA
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7
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Donoso I, Fricke EC, Hervías-Parejo S, Rogers HS, Traveset A. Drivers of Ecological and Evolutionary Disruptions in the Seed Dispersal Process: Research Trends and Biases. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.794481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As the sole opportunity for most plants to move, seed dispersal influences the biodiversity and functioning of plant communities. Global change drivers have the potential to disrupt seed dispersal processes, affecting plant communities and ecosystem functions. Even though much information is available on the effects of seed dispersal disruption (SDD), we still lack a comprehensive understanding of its main causes at a global scale, as well as the potential knowledge gaps derived from research biases. Here we present a systematic review of biotic and abiotic SDDs to ascertain the global change drivers addressed, dispersal modes impacted, plant processes affected, and spatial focus of existing research on this topic up-to-date. Although there are many modes of dispersal and global change drivers in temperate and tropical ecosystems worldwide, research efforts have predominantly addressed the effect of alien species for biotic seed dispersal in temperate systems and oceanic islands as well as how defaunation of bird or mammal dispersers has affected seed removal in the Neotropics. SDD studies were also biased toward forest ecosystems, with few in shrublands or grasslands. Finally, the effects of climate change, ecological consequences at the whole community level, and evolutionary changes were largely unrepresented in SDD studies. These trends are likely due to a combination of true geographic and ecological patterns in seed dispersal and global change and bias in research focus. We conclude that increased research investment in the less-studied systems and a better understanding of potential synergies and feedback between multiple global change drivers will be important to forecast the threats to plant biodiversity and those ecosystem functions derived from seed dispersal in the Anthropocene.
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Mattana E, Ulian T, Pritchard HW. Seeds as natural capital. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 27:139-146. [PMID: 34556418 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2021.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Halting and reversing the current loss of biodiversity and habitats will be facilitated by a comprehensive valuation of all nature's contributions to people (NCPs), on which we rely. In this context, we explore the full natural capital value of seeds to reveal how this extends far beyond their economic value associated with mainstream agriculture and forestry. Seeds represent the main assets for nature-based solutions at species (i.e., unlocking neglected species properties and via seed banking) and ecosystem level (i.e., ecological restoration). Challenges remain to enhance their sustainable use in nature conservation and in supporting a sustainable development model. Such advances will depend on the comprehensive valuation of the natural capital value of seeds, which has so far been grossly underestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efisio Mattana
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6TN, UK.
| | - Tiziana Ulian
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6TN, UK
| | - Hugh W Pritchard
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6TN, UK; Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, PR China.
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Rogers HS, Donoso I, Traveset A, Fricke EC. Cascading Impacts of Seed Disperser Loss on Plant Communities and Ecosystems. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND SYSTEMATICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-012221-111742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Seed dispersal is key to the persistence and spread of plant populations. Because the majority of plant species rely on animals to disperse their seeds, global change drivers that directly affect animals can cause cascading impacts on plant communities. In this review, we synthesize studies assessing how disperser loss alters plant populations, community patterns, multitrophic interactions, and ecosystem functioning. We argue that the magnitude of risk to plants from disperser loss is shaped by the combination of a plant species’ inherent dependence on seed dispersal and the severity of the hazards faced by their dispersers. Because the factors determining a plant species’ risk of decline due to disperser loss can be related to traits of the plants and dispersers, our framework enables a trait-based understanding of change in plant community composition and ecosystem functioning. We discuss how interactions among plants, among dispersers, and across other trophic levels also mediate plant community responses, and we identify areas for future research to understand and mitigate the consequences of disperser loss on plants globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haldre S. Rogers
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Isabel Donoso
- Global Change Research Group, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, 07190 Esporles, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anna Traveset
- Global Change Research Group, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, 07190 Esporles, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
| | - Evan C. Fricke
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
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Chabaane Y, Haseeb M, Benrey B. Domestication of Chili Pepper Has Altered Fruit Traits Affecting the Oviposition and Feeding Behavior of the Pepper Weevil. INSECTS 2021; 12:630. [PMID: 34357290 PMCID: PMC8305446 DOI: 10.3390/insects12070630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii, Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is one of the most destructive pests of chili pepper. It causes extensive damage on varieties selected for consumption. However, the occurrence of this pest on wild and ornamental peppers remains unknown. We investigated the consequences of chili domestication on the feeding and oviposition of A. eugenii on fruits and flowers. We used plants of one wild accession, Bird Eye Pepper, five ornamental varieties (Pops Yellow, Black Pearl, Sedona Sun, Chilli Chilli, and Salsa Deep), and two domesticated varieties selected for consumption (Scotch Bonnet and Jalapeño). First, we characterized the plants according to their fruit and flower sizes, pericarp thickness, capsaicin level, fruit position, and flower color. Then, we evaluated the susceptibility of fruits and flowers to A. eugenii. Overall, domestication increased fruit and flower sizes and pericarp thickness, altered capsaicin levels, and altered fruit position and flower color. Weevils laid more eggs and caused more feeding damage on varieties selected for consumption than on wild and ornamental plants. Our results add to the growing literature on the consequences of crop domestication on herbivores. This knowledge could be integrated into breeding programs to select varieties resistant against the pepper weevil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosra Chabaane
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Entomology, University of Neuchâtel, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland;
| | - Muhammad Haseeb
- Center for Biological Control, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307-4100, USA;
| | - Betty Benrey
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Entomology, University of Neuchâtel, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland;
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11
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Vukeya LR, Mokotjomela TM, Malebo NJ, Oke S. Interspecific competition in germination of bird-dispersed seeds in a habitat with sparse tree vegetation in South Africa. BOTANICAL STUDIES 2021; 62:10. [PMID: 34110534 PMCID: PMC8192655 DOI: 10.1186/s40529-021-00317-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND By transporting and scarifying the seeds during ingestion, avian frugivores reduce the competition with siblings, and may improve the germination which is critical for dispersal effectiveness and population recruitment. However, generally, there is limited knowledge on how deposited seeds interact/compete in the new microsite. We tested the hypothesis that the bird-dispersed seeds benefit from improved germination after their passage through the bird's gut; and we investigated the potential impact of seed density on competition at the microsites by determining whether seed density and species diversity influence germination in the Free State Province, South Africa. RESULTS Overall, the results partly supported the hypothesis. Germination trials with defecated seeds of five plant species compared with the manually depulped seeds showed that only Searsia lancea had significantly higher seed germination success and improved germination speed after passage through the bird gut while Ziziphus mucronata only benefited rapid germination. There was a significant correlation between seed size and the germination of bird-ingested seeds except in Olea subsp. africana possibly due to possession of extremely hard protective seed cover. Seed competition experiments pointed to Z. mucronata and O. subsp. africana having significant germination performance that was positively correlated to seed density and seed size while Ehretia rigida did not germinate at all. Seed species diversity in the germination trays did not have a significant impact since the seeds of two former plant species consistently displayed significantly higher germination across the competition levels. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that different plant species respond differently to seed ingestion by birds, and that further long-term tests for germination physiological responses of the seeds' samples used in this study are required since poor germination observed in other tree/shrub species cannot be attributed to competition solely.
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Affiliation(s)
- L R Vukeya
- South Africa National Biodiversity Institute, Free State National Botanical Garden, Free State, Rayton, Dan Pienaar, Danhof, P.O Box 29036, Bloemfontein, 9310, South Africa
- Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Central University of Technology, Private Bag X20539, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - T M Mokotjomela
- Centre for Invasion Biology, South Africa National Biodiversity Institute, Free State National Botanical Garden, Free State, Rayton, Dan Pienaar, Danhof, P.O Box 29036, Bloemfontein, 9310, South Africa.
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa.
| | - N J Malebo
- Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Central University of Technology, Private Bag X20539, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - S Oke
- Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Central University of Technology, Private Bag X20539, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
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12
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Kastner M, Pollock HS, Savidge JA, Fricke EC, Rogers HS. Functional robustness of seed dispersal by a remnant frugivore population on a defaunated tropical island. Biotropica 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kastner
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology Iowa State University Ames IA USA
| | - Henry S. Pollock
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
| | - Julie A. Savidge
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins CO USA
| | - Evan C. Fricke
- National Socio‐Environmental Synthesis Centre Annapolis MD USA
| | - Haldre S. Rogers
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology Iowa State University Ames IA USA
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13
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Såli (Micronesian starling –Aplonis opaca) as a key seed dispersal agent across a tropical archipelago. JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1017/s0266467419000361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AbstractSeed dispersal is an important ecological process that structures plant communities and influences ecosystem functioning. Loss of animal dispersers therefore poses a serious threat to forest ecosystems, particularly in the tropics where zoochory predominates. A prominent example is the near-total extinction of seed dispersers on the tropical island of Guam following the accidental introduction of the invasive brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis), negatively impacting seedling recruitment and forest regeneration. We investigated frugivory by a remnant population of Såli (Micronesian starling –Aplonis opaca) on Guam and two other island populations (Rota, Saipan) to evaluate their ecological role as a seed disperser in the Mariana archipelago. Using a combination of behavioural observations, nest contents and fecal samples, we documented frugivory of 37 plant species. Native plants comprised the majority (66%) of all species and 90% of all seeds identified in fecal and nest contents. Diet was highly similar across age classes and sampling years. In addition, plant species consumed by Såli comprised 88% of bird-dispersed adult trees and 54% of all adult trees in long-term forest monitoring plots, demonstrating the Såli’s broad diet and potential for restoring native forests. Overall, we provide the most comprehensive assessment to date of frugivory by the Såli and confirm its importance as a seed disperser on Guam and throughout the Marianas.
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14
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Nield AP, Enright NJ, Ladd PG, Perry GLW. Detecting plant spatial pattern change after disperser loss: A simulation and a case study. POPUL ECOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/1438-390x.12006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P. Nield
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group Environment and Conservation Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch Western Australia Australia
| | - Neal J. Enright
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group Environment and Conservation Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch Western Australia Australia
| | - Philip G. Ladd
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group Environment and Conservation Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch Western Australia Australia
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Gutierrez-Arellano C, Mulligan M. A review of regulation ecosystem services and disservices from faunal populations and potential impacts of agriculturalisation on their provision, globally. NATURE CONSERVATION 2018. [DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.30.26989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Land use and cover change (LUCC) is the main cause of natural ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss and can cause a decrease in ecosystem service provision. Animal populations are providers of some key regulation services: pollination, pest and disease control and seed dispersal, the so-called faunal ecosystem services (FES). Here we aim to give an overview on the current and future status of regulation FES in response to change from original habitat to agricultural land globally. FES are much more tightly linked to wildlife populations and biodiversity than are most ecosystem services, whose determinants are largely climatic and related to vegetation structure. Degradation of ecosystems by land use change thus has much more potential to affect FES. In this scoping review, we summarise the main findings showing the importance of animal populations as FES providers and as a source of ecosystem disservices; underlying causes of agriculturalisation impacts on FES and the potential condition of FES under future LUCC in relation to the expected demand for FES globally. Overall, studies support a positive relationship between FES provision and animal species richness and abundance. Agriculturalisation has negative effects on FES providers due to landscape homogenisation, habitat fragmentation and loss, microclimatic changes and development of population imbalance, causing species and population losses of key fauna, reducing services whilst enhancing disservices. Since evidence suggests an increase in FES demand worldwide is required to support increased farming, it is imperative to improve the understanding of agriculturalisation on FES supply and distribution. Spatial conservation prioritisation must factor in faunal ecosystem functions as the most biodiversity-relevant of all ecosystem services and that which most closely links sites of service provision of conservation value with nearby sites of service use to provide ecosystem services of agricultural and economic value.
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