1
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McKee RK, Taillie PJ, Hart KM, Lopez CL, Sanjar A, McCleery RA. Ecological function maintained despite mesomammal declines. Sci Rep 2024; 14:19668. [PMID: 39181911 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66534-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Mid-sized mammals (i.e., mesomammals) fulfill important ecological roles, serving as essential scavengers, predators, pollinators, and seed dispersers in the ecosystems they inhabit. Consequently, declines in mesomammal populations have the potential to alter ecological processes and fundamentally change ecosystems. However, ecosystems characterized by high functional redundancy, where multiple species can fulfil similar ecological roles, may be less impacted by the loss of mesomammals and other vertebrates. The Greater Everglades Ecosystem in southern Florida is a historically biodiverse region that has recently been impacted by multiple anthropogenic threats, most notably the introduction of the Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus). Since pythons became established, mesomammal populations have become greatly reduced. To assess whether these declines in mesomammals have affected two critical ecosystem functions-scavenging and frugivory-we conducted experiments in areas where mesomammals were present and absent. We did not observe significant differences in scavenging or frugivory efficiency in areas with and without mesomammals, but we did observe significant differences in the communities responsible for scavenging and frugivory. Despite the observed evidence of redundancy, the changes in community composition could potentially lead to indirect consequences on processes like seed dispersal and disease dynamics within this ecosystem, emphasizing the need for further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca K McKee
- Department of Biology, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, Georgia, 31207, United States.
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
| | - Paul J Taillie
- Department of Biology, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, Georgia, 31207, United States
- Department of Geography, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kristen M Hart
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Davie, FL, USA
| | - Christopher L Lopez
- Department of Biology, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, Georgia, 31207, United States
| | - Adam Sanjar
- Department of Biology, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, Georgia, 31207, United States
| | - Robert A McCleery
- Department of Biology, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, Georgia, 31207, United States
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2
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Vollstädt MGR, Galetti M, Kaiser‐Bunbury CN, Simmons BI, Gonçalves F, Morales‐Pérez AL, Navarro L, Tarazona‐Tubens FL, Schubert S, Carlo T, Salazar J, Faife‐Cabrera M, Strong A, Madden H, Mitchell A, Dalsgaard B. Plant–frugivore interactions across the Caribbean islands: Modularity, invader complexes and the importance of generalist species. DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian G. R. Vollstädt
- Section for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, GLOBE Institute University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Mauro Galetti
- Department of Biology University of Miami Coral Gables Florida USA
- Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Biodiversidade Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Rio Claro Brazil
| | - Christopher N. Kaiser‐Bunbury
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, Penryn Campus University of Exeter Penryn UK
| | - Benno I. Simmons
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, Penryn Campus University of Exeter Penryn UK
| | - Fernando Gonçalves
- Section for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, GLOBE Institute University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | | | - Luis Navarro
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ciencias del Suelo Universidad de Vigo Vigo Spain
| | | | - Spencer Schubert
- Department of Biological Sciences Old Dominion University Norfolk Virginia USA
| | - Tomas Carlo
- Biology Department & Ecology Program The Pennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania USA
| | - Jackeline Salazar
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) Santo Domingo Dominican Republic
- Grupo Jaragua Inc. Santo Domingo Dominican Republic
| | - Michel Faife‐Cabrera
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Centro de Estudios Jardín Botánico Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas Santa Clara Cuba
| | - Allan Strong
- Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources University of Vermont, Aiken Center Burlington Vermont USA
| | - Hannah Madden
- Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute (CNSI) Oranjestad The Netherlands
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, and Utrecht University Den Burg The Netherlands
| | - Adam Mitchell
- Sint Eustatius National Parks Oranjestad Netherlands
| | - Bo Dalsgaard
- Section for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, GLOBE Institute University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
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3
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Rumeu B, González‐Varo JP, de Castro C, López‐Orta A, Illera JC, Miñarro M, García D. Increasing efficiency and reducing bias in the sampling of seed–dispersal interactions based on mist‐netted birds. OIKOS 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.09261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Rumeu
- Depto de Biología – IVAGRO, Univ. de Cádiz Puerto Real Spain
| | | | - Cristina de Castro
- Depto de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas (Univ. de Oviedo) and: Inst. Mixto de Investigación en Biodiversidad (Univ. Oviedo‐CSIC‐Princ. Asturias) Mieres Spain
| | - Antonio López‐Orta
- Inst. Mixto de Investigación en Biodiversidad (Univ. Oviedo‐CSIC‐Princ. Asturias), Univ. de Oviedo Mieres Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Illera
- Inst. Mixto de Investigación en Biodiversidad (Univ. Oviedo‐CSIC‐Princ. Asturias), Univ. de Oviedo Mieres Spain
| | - Marcos Miñarro
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA) Villaviciosa Spain
| | - Daniel García
- Depto de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas (Univ. de Oviedo) and: Inst. Mixto de Investigación en Biodiversidad (Univ. Oviedo‐CSIC‐Princ. Asturias) Mieres Spain
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4
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Ruzi SA, Suarez AV. Seed fate in ant‐mediated dispersal: Seed dispersal effectiveness in the
Ectatomma ruidum
(Formicidae)—
Zanthoxylum ekmanii
(Rutaceae) system. Biotropica 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13098] [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)
- Selina A. Ruzi
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology University of Illinois, Urbana‐Champaign Champaign Illinois USA
| | - Andrew V. Suarez
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology University of Illinois, Urbana‐Champaign Champaign Illinois USA
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior, and Department of Entomology University of Illinois, Urbana‐Champaign Champaign Illinois USA
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5
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Kim S, Sales L, Carreira D, Galetti M. Frugivore distributions are associated with plant dispersal syndrome diversity in the Caribbean archipelagos. DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Seokmin Kim
- Department of Biology University of Miami Coral Gables Florida USA
| | - Lilian Sales
- Department of Biology Faculty of Arts and Science Concordia University Montreal Canada
| | | | - Mauro Galetti
- Department of Biology University of Miami Coral Gables Florida USA
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6
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Tapia W, Gibbs JP. Galapagos land iguanas as ecosystem engineers. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12711. [PMID: 35116195 PMCID: PMC8784015 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12711] [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] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Declines of large-bodied herbivorous reptiles are well documented, but the consequences for ecosystem function are not. Understanding how large-bodied herbivorous reptiles engineer ecosystems is relevant given the current interest in restoration of tropical islands where extinction rates are disproportionately high and reptiles are prominent as herbivores. METHODS In this study, we measured the ecosystem-level outcomes of long-term quasi-experiment represented by two adjacent islands within the Galapagos Archipelago, one with and the other without Galapagos land iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus), large-bodied herbivores known to feed on many plant species. We characterized plant communities on each island by developing high-resolution (<1 cm2) aerial imagery and delineating extent of plant associations and counting individual plants on each. RESULTS In the presence of iguanas there was dramatically less woody plant cover, more area with seasonal grasses, and many fewer cacti. Cacti had a more clumped distribution where iguanas were absent than where iguanas were present. DISCUSSION This study provided strong evidence that Galapagos land iguanas can substantially engineer the structure of terrestrial plant communities; therefore, restoration of large-bodied reptilian herbivores, such as land iguanas and giant tortoises, should be regarded as an important component of overall ecosystem restoration, especially for tropical islands from which they have been extirpated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Washington Tapia
- Science Faculty, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain,Galapagos Conservancy, Fairfax, VA, United States of America
| | - James P. Gibbs
- Galapagos Conservancy, Fairfax, VA, United States of America,Environmental Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY, United States of America
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7
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Gómez JM, Schupp EW, Jordano P. The ecological and evolutionary significance of effectiveness landscapes in mutualistic interactions. Ecol Lett 2021; 25:264-277. [PMID: 34971487 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Mutualism effectiveness, the contribution of an interacting organism to its partner's fitness, is defined as the number of immediate outcomes of the interactions (quantity component) multiplied by the probability that an immediate outcome results in a new individual (quality component). These components form a two-dimensional effectiveness landscape with each species' location determined by its values of quantity (x-axis) and quality (y-axis). We propose that the evolutionary history of mutualistic interactions leaves a footprint that can be identified by three properties of the spatial structure of effectiveness values: dispersion of effectiveness values, relative contribution of each component to the effectiveness values and correlation between effectiveness components. We illustrate this approach using a large dataset on synzoochory, seed dispersal by seed-caching animals. The synzoochory landscape was clumped, with effectiveness determined primarily by the quality component, and with quantity and quality positively correlated. We suggest this type of landscape structure is common in generalised coevolved mutualisms, where multiple functionally equivalent, high-quality partners exert similarly strong selection. Presumably, only those organisms located in high-quality regions will impact the evolution of their partner. Exploring properties of effectiveness landscapes in other mutualisms will provide new insight into the evolutionary and ecological consequences of mutualisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- José María Gómez
- Departamento de Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA- CSIC), Almería, Spain
| | - Eugene W Schupp
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center, S. J. and Jesse E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA.,Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Pedro Jordano
- Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Sevilla, Spain.,Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
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8
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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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9
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Tapia W, Goldspiel HB, Gibbs JP. Introduction of giant tortoises as a replacement “ecosystem engineer” to facilitate restoration of Santa Fe Island, Galapagos. Restor Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13476] [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]
Affiliation(s)
- Washington Tapia
- Galapagos Conservancy Fairfax VA 22020 U.S.A
- Science Faculty University of Malaga Malaga 29016 Spain
| | | | - James P. Gibbs
- Galapagos Conservancy Fairfax VA 22020 U.S.A
- Department of Environmental Biology State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse NY 13210 U.S.A
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10
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González‐Varo JP, Onrubia A, Pérez‐Méndez N, Tarifa R, Illera JC. Fruit abundance and trait matching determine diet type and body condition across frugivorous bird populations. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Juan P. González‐Varo
- Depto de Biología, IVAGRO, Univ. de Cádiz, Campus Río San Pedro Puerto Real Cádiz Spain
| | - Alejandro Onrubia
- Migres Foundation, International Bird Migration Center (CIMA) Tarifa Cádiz Spain
| | - Néstor Pérez‐Méndez
- Inst. de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentaries (IRTA), Estació Experimental de l'Ebre Amposta Tarragona Spain
| | - Rubén Tarifa
- Depto de Biología Animal, Vegetal y Ecología, Univ. de Jaén Jaén Spain
| | - Juan C. Illera
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO‐CSIC‐PA), Depto de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas, Unidad Mixta de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Univ. de Oviedo, Campus of Mieres Mieres Asturias Spain
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11
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Stanley A, Arceo-Gómez G. Urbanization increases seed dispersal interaction diversity but decreases dispersal success in Toxicodendron radicans. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
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12
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Falcón W, Moll D, Hansen DM. Frugivory and seed dispersal by chelonians: a review and synthesis. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:142-166. [PMID: 31608582 DOI: 10.1101/379933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, it has become clear that frugivory and seed dispersal (FSD) by turtles and tortoises is much more common than previously thought. We here review published and unpublished records of chelonian FSD, and assess the role of chelonians as seed dispersers, from individual species to the community level. We first discuss the distribution of chelonian FSD and the characteristics of the fruit and/or seed species eaten and dispersed by chelonians. We then use the seed dispersal efficiency framework to explore the quantitative and qualitative components of seed dispersal by tortoises and turtles, embarking on a journey from when the fruits and/or seeds are consumed, to when and where they are deposited, and assess how efficient chelonians are as seed dispersers. We finally discuss chelonian FSD in the context of communities and of chelonians as megafauna. A substantial proportion of the world's aquatic and terrestrial turtles and a major part of testudinid tortoises (71 species in 12 families) include fruits and/or seeds in their diet; fruits of at least 588 plant species in 121 families are ingested and/or dispersed by chelonians. For some chelonians, overall or in certain seasons, fruit may even form the largest part of their diet. Contrary to seed dispersal by lizards, the other major reptilian frugivores, chelonian FSD is not an island phenomenon in terms of geographic distribution. Nevertheless, on islands tortoises are often among the largest native terrestrial vertebrates - or were until humans arrived. We synthesise our knowledge of chelonian FSD, and discuss the relevance of our findings for conservation and restoration, especially in relation to rewilding with large and giant tortoises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilfredo Falcón
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Don Moll
- Department of Biology, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, 65897, USA
| | - Dennis M Hansen
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
- Zoological Museum of the University of Zurich, Zurich, 8006, Switzerland
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13
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Falcón W, Moll D, Hansen DM. Frugivory and seed dispersal by chelonians: a review and synthesis. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:142-166. [PMID: 31608582 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, it has become clear that frugivory and seed dispersal (FSD) by turtles and tortoises is much more common than previously thought. We here review published and unpublished records of chelonian FSD, and assess the role of chelonians as seed dispersers, from individual species to the community level. We first discuss the distribution of chelonian FSD and the characteristics of the fruit and/or seed species eaten and dispersed by chelonians. We then use the seed dispersal efficiency framework to explore the quantitative and qualitative components of seed dispersal by tortoises and turtles, embarking on a journey from when the fruits and/or seeds are consumed, to when and where they are deposited, and assess how efficient chelonians are as seed dispersers. We finally discuss chelonian FSD in the context of communities and of chelonians as megafauna. A substantial proportion of the world's aquatic and terrestrial turtles and a major part of testudinid tortoises (71 species in 12 families) include fruits and/or seeds in their diet; fruits of at least 588 plant species in 121 families are ingested and/or dispersed by chelonians. For some chelonians, overall or in certain seasons, fruit may even form the largest part of their diet. Contrary to seed dispersal by lizards, the other major reptilian frugivores, chelonian FSD is not an island phenomenon in terms of geographic distribution. Nevertheless, on islands tortoises are often among the largest native terrestrial vertebrates - or were until humans arrived. We synthesise our knowledge of chelonian FSD, and discuss the relevance of our findings for conservation and restoration, especially in relation to rewilding with large and giant tortoises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilfredo Falcón
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Don Moll
- Department of Biology, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, 65897, USA
| | - Dennis M Hansen
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland.,Zoological Museum of the University of Zurich, Zurich, 8006, Switzerland
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14
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Rehm E, Fricke E, Bender J, Savidge J, Rogers H. Animal movement drives variation in seed dispersal distance in a plant-animal network. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 286:20182007. [PMID: 30963874 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Frugivores play differing roles in shaping dispersal patterns yet seed dispersal distance is rarely quantified across entire communities. We model seed dispersal distance using gut passage times and bird movement for the majority (39 interactions) of known bird-tree interactions on the island of Saipan to highlight differences in seed dispersal distances provided by the five avian frugivores. One bird species was found to be a seed predator rather than a disperser. The remaining four avian species dispersed seeds but differences in seed dispersal distance were largely driven by interspecific variation in bird movement rather than intraspecific variation in gut passage times. The median dispersal distance was at least 56 m for all species-specific combinations, indicating all species play a role in reducing high seed mortality under the parent tree. However, one species-the Micronesian Starling-performed 94% of dispersal events greater than 500 m, suggesting this species could be a key driver of long-distance dispersal services (e.g. linking populations, colonizing new areas). Assessing variation in dispersal patterns across this network highlights key sources of variation in seed dispersal distances and suggests which empirical approaches are sufficient for modelling how seed dispersal mutualisms affect populations and communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Rehm
- 1 Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California at Santa Barbara , Santa Barbara, CA , USA
| | - E Fricke
- 2 Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University , Ames, IA , USA
| | - J Bender
- 3 Lincoln Park Zoo , Chicago, IL , USA
| | - J Savidge
- 4 Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University , Fort Collins, CO , USA
| | - H Rogers
- 2 Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University , Ames, IA , USA
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15
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Fuster F, Traveset A. Importance of intraspecific variation in the pollination and seed dispersal functions of a double mutualist animal species. OIKOS 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.06659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Fuster
- Global Change Research Group, Inst. Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats (CSIC‐UIB), Miquel Marqués 21, ES‐07190‐Esporles Mallorca Balearic Islands Spain
| | - Anna Traveset
- Global Change Research Group, Inst. Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats (CSIC‐UIB), Miquel Marqués 21, ES‐07190‐Esporles Mallorca Balearic Islands Spain
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16
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HervÍas-Parejo S, Heleno R, Rumeu B, Guzmán B, Vargas P, Olesen JM, Traveset A, Vera C, Benavides E, Nogales M. Small size does not restrain frugivory and seed dispersal across the evolutionary radiation of Galápagos lava lizards. Curr Zool 2019; 65:353-361. [PMID: 31413708 PMCID: PMC6688575 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoy066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Frugivory in lizards is often assumed to be constrained by body size; only large individuals are considered capable of consuming fruits, with the potential of acting as seed dispersers. However, only one previous study has tested the correlation of frugivory with body and head size at an archipelago scale across closely related species. All nine lava lizards (Microlophus spp.) were studied on the eleven largest Galápagos islands from 2010 to 2016 to investigate whether frugivory is related to body and head size. We also tested whether fruit abundance influences fruit consumption and explored the effect of seed ingestion on seedling emergence time and percentage. Our results showed that across islands, lava lizards varied considerably in size (64-102 mm in mean snout-vent length) and level of frugivory (1-23%, i.e., percentage of droppings with seeds). However, level of frugivory was only weakly affected by size as fruit consumption was also common among small lizards. Lava lizards consumed fruits throughout the year and factors other than fruit abundance may be more important drivers of fruit selection (e.g., fruit size, energy content of pulp). From 2,530 droppings, 1,714 seeds of at least 61 plant species were identified, 76% of the species being native to the Galápagos. Most seeds (91%) showed no external structural damage. Seedling emergence time (44 versus 118 days) and percentage (20% versus 12%) were enhanced for lizard-ingested seeds compared to control (uningested) fruits. De-pulping by lizards (i.e., removal of pulp with potential germination inhibitors) might increase the chances that at least some seeds find suitable recruitment conditions. We concluded that lizards are important seed dispersers throughout the year and across the whole archipelago, regardless of body size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra HervÍas-Parejo
- Institut Mediterrani d’Estudis Avançats (CSIC-UIB), Global Change Research Group, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
| | - Ruben Heleno
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Rumeu
- Institut Mediterrani d’Estudis Avançats (CSIC-UIB), Global Change Research Group, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
| | | | | | - Jens M Olesen
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Anna Traveset
- Institut Mediterrani d’Estudis Avançats (CSIC-UIB), Global Change Research Group, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
| | - Carlos Vera
- Galápagos National Park, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Edgar Benavides
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, USA
| | - Manuel Nogales
- Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (CSIC-IPNA), Island Ecology and Evolution Research Group, Canary Islands, Spain
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17
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Limited directed seed dispersal in the canopy as one of the determinants of the low hemi-epiphytic figs' recruitments in Bornean rainforests. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217590. [PMID: 31194749 PMCID: PMC6564369 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Ficus species are keystone plants in tropical rainforests, and hemi-epiphytic figs play a notably important role in forest ecosystems. Because hemi-epiphytic figs have strict germination requirements, germination and establishment stages regulate their populations. Despite the ecological importance of hemi-epiphytic figs in the rainforests, seed dispersal systems by fig-eating animals under natural conditions remain unknown because of the difficulty in tracing the destiny of dispersed seeds in the canopy. Therefore, seed dispersal effectiveness (SDE) has never been evaluated for hemi-epiphytic figs. We evaluated the SDE of hemi-epiphytic figs using qualitative and quantitative components by three relatively large-sized (> 3 kg) arboreal and volant animals in Bornean rainforests that largely depend on fig fruits in their diets: binturongs Arctictis binturong, Mueller’s gibbons Hylobates muelleri, and helmeted hornbills Rhinoplax vigil. The SDE values of binturongs was by far the highest among the three study animals. Meanwhile, successful seed dispersal of hemi-epiphytic figs by gibbons and helmeted hornbills is aleatory and rare. Given that seed deposition determines the fate of hemi-epiphytic figs, the defecatory habits of binturongs, depositing feces on specific microsites in the canopy, is the most reliable dispersal method, compared to scattering feces from the air or upper canopy. We showed that reliable directed dispersal of hemi-epiphytic figs occurs in high and uneven canopy of Bornean rainforests. This type of dispersal is limited to specific animal species, and therefore it may become one of the main factors regulating low-success hemi-epiphytic fig recruitment in Bornean rainforests.
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Aslan C, Beckman NG, Rogers HS, Bronstein J, Zurell D, Hartig F, Shea K, Pejchar L, Neubert M, Poulsen J, HilleRisLambers J, Miriti M, Loiselle B, Effiom E, Zambrano J, Schupp G, Pufal G, Johnson J, Bullock JM, Brodie J, Bruna E, Cantrell RS, Decker R, Fricke E, Gurski K, Hastings A, Kogan O, Razafindratsima O, Sandor M, Schreiber S, Snell R, Strickland C, Zhou Y. Employing plant functional groups to advance seed dispersal ecology and conservation. AOB PLANTS 2019; 11:plz006. [PMID: 30895154 PMCID: PMC6420810 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plz006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Seed dispersal enables plants to reach hospitable germination sites and escape natural enemies. Understanding when and how much seed dispersal matters to plant fitness is critical for understanding plant population and community dynamics. At the same time, the complexity of factors that determine if a seed will be successfully dispersed and subsequently develop into a reproductive plant is daunting. Quantifying all factors that may influence seed dispersal effectiveness for any potential seed-vector relationship would require an unrealistically large amount of time, materials and financial resources. On the other hand, being able to make dispersal predictions is critical for predicting whether single species and entire ecosystems will be resilient to global change. Building on current frameworks, we here posit that seed dispersal ecology should adopt plant functional groups as analytical units to reduce this complexity to manageable levels. Functional groups can be used to distinguish, for their constituent species, whether it matters (i) if seeds are dispersed, (ii) into what context they are dispersed and (iii) what vectors disperse them. To avoid overgeneralization, we propose that the utility of these functional groups may be assessed by generating predictions based on the groups and then testing those predictions against species-specific data. We suggest that data collection and analysis can then be guided by robust functional group definitions. Generalizing across similar species in this way could help us to better understand the population and community dynamics of plants and tackle the complexity of seed dispersal as well as its disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Aslan
- Landscape Conservation Initiative, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | | | - Haldre S Rogers
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Judie Bronstein
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Damaris Zurell
- Dynamic Macroecology, Landscape Dynamics, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Zürcherstrasse, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Florian Hartig
- Faculty of Biology and Pre-Clinical Medicine, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Katriona Shea
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, 208 Mueller Laboratory, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Liba Pejchar
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Mike Neubert
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - John Poulsen
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, USA
| | | | - Maria Miriti
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Bette Loiselle
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Edu Effiom
- CRS Forestry Commission, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - Jenny Zambrano
- National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center, 1 Park Place, Annapolis, MD, USA
| | - Geno Schupp
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Gesine Pufal
- Naturschutz & Landschaftsökologie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jeremy Johnson
- Department of Geography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | - Jedediah Brodie
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Emilio Bruna
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Evan Fricke
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Katie Gurski
- Department of Mathematics, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Oleg Kogan
- Physics Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
| | | | - Manette Sandor
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | | | - Rebecca Snell
- Environmental and Plant Biology, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | | | - Ying Zhou
- Department of Mathematics, Lafayette College, Easton, PA, USA
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González-Varo JP, Arroyo JM, Jordano P. The timing of frugivore-mediated seed dispersal effectiveness. Mol Ecol 2018; 28:219-231. [PMID: 30151871 PMCID: PMC6905405 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The seed dispersal effectiveness framework allows assessing mutualistic services from frugivorous animals in terms of quantity and quality. Quantity accounts for the number of seeds dispersed and quality for the probability of recruitment of dispersed seeds. Research on this topic has largely focused on the spatial patterns of seed deposition because seed fates often vary between microhabitats due to differences in biotic and abiotic factors. However, the temporal dimension has remained completely overlooked despite these factors-and even local disperser assemblages-can change dramatically during long fruiting periods. Here, we test timing effects on seed dispersal effectiveness, using as study case a keystone shrub species dispersed by frugivorous birds and with a fruiting period of 9 months. We evaluated quantity and quality in different microhabitats of a Mediterranean forest and different periods of the fruiting phenophase. We identified the bird species responsible for seed deposition through DNA barcoding and evaluated the probability of seedling recruitment through a series of field experiments on sequential demographic processes. We found that timing matters: The disperser assemblage was temporally structured, seed viability decreased markedly during the plant's fruiting phenophase, and germination was lower for viable seeds dispersed in the fruiting peak. We show how small contributions to seed deposition by transient migratory species can result in a relevant effectiveness if they disperse seeds in a high-quality period for seedling recruitment. This study expands our understanding of seed dispersal effectiveness, highlighting the importance of timing and infrequent interactions for population and community dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P González-Varo
- Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana, EBD-CSIC, Sevilla, Spain.,Terrestrial Ecology Group, Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, UIB-CSIC, Esporles, Spain
| | - Juan M Arroyo
- Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana, EBD-CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Pedro Jordano
- Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana, EBD-CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
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Fessl B, Heimpel GE, Causton CE. Invasion of an Avian Nest Parasite, Philornis downsi, to the Galapagos Islands: Colonization History, Adaptations to Novel Ecosystems, and Conservation Challenges. DISEASE ECOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-65909-1_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Giery ST, Vezzani E, Zona S, Stroud JT. Frugivory and seed dispersal by the invasive knight anole ( Anolis equestris ) in Florida, USA. FOOD WEBS 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fooweb.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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