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Andresen E, Urrea-Galeano LA. Effects of dung beetle activity on tropical forest plants. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.979676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Dung beetles are recognized as providers of important ecosystem functions, most of which are derived from the removal of vertebrate dung from the soil surface. These insects occur in nearly all terrestrial biomes but are most diverse in the humid tropics. Several of the ecological functions attributed to dung beetles are related to their direct and indirect interactions with plants. Among these functions, the secondary dispersal of seeds defecated by mammals has received the most attention in tropical forests. Nonetheless, while several aspects of secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles are relatively well understood, others remain understudied or have not been addressed at all. Thus, a broad generalization about the effects of secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles on plant fitness remains somewhat elusive. Furthermore, other effects of dung beetle activity on tropical plants have received very little attention. A few studies have shown that through their behaviors of dung burial and soil-excavation, dung beetles can shape seed bank structure and dynamics. Also, though numerous greenhouse studies and field experiments in agricultural lands and temperate grasslands have shown that dung beetle activity increases plant nutrient uptake and yield, it is uncertain whether such effects are common in tropical forests. Here, we review and synthesize our current knowledge on how dung beetles affect tropical forest plants by dispersing defecated seeds, shaping the structure and dynamics of seed banks, and influencing the performance of understory seedlings. We focus on the Neotropics, where most studies on the effects of dung beetles on tropical forest plants have been carried out, but we also show results from other regions and biomes, to present a more general picture of these beetle-plant interactions. Throughout the review we emphasize aspects that need more research to allow generalizations and point out those questions that remain unanswered. We hope that this review will stimulate more research about the fascinating interactions between dung beetles and plants in tropical ecosystems.
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Rogy P, Hammill E, Smith MA, Rost-Komiya B, Srivastava DS. Bromeliads affect the interactions and composition of invertebrates on their support tree. Oecologia 2020; 192:879-891. [PMID: 32067120 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-020-04616-w] [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: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Individual species can have profound effects on ecological communities, but, in hyperdiverse systems, it can be challenging to determine the underlying ecological mechanisms. Simplifying species' responses by trophic level or functional group may be useful, but characterizing the trait structure of communities may be better related to niche processes. A largely overlooked trait in such community-level analyses is behaviour. In the Neotropics, epiphytic tank bromeliads (Bromeliaceae) harbour a distinct fauna of terrestrial invertebrates that is mainly composed of predators, such as ants and spiders. As these bromeliad-associated predators tend to forage on the bromeliads' support tree, they may influence the arboreal invertebrate fauna. We examined how, by increasing associated predator habitat, bromeliads may affect arboreal invertebrates. Specifically, we observed the trophic and functional group composition, and the behaviour and interspecific interactions of arboreal invertebrates in trees with and without bromeliads. Bromeliads modified the functional composition of arboreal invertebrates, but not the overall abundance of predators and herbivores. Bromeliads did not alter the overall behavioural profile of arboreal invertebrates, but did lead to more positive interactions in the day than at night, with a reverse pattern on trees without bromeliads. In particular, tending behaviours were influenced by bromeliad-associated predators. These results indicate that detailed examination of the functional affiliations and behaviour of organisms can reveal complex effects of habitat-forming species like bromeliads, even when total densities of trophic groups are insensitive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Rogy
- Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, 6270 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | - Edd Hammill
- Department of Watershed Sciences, Utah State University, 5210 Old Main Hill, NR 210, Logan, UT, 84322-5210, USA
| | - M Alex Smith
- Department of Integrative Biology, Summerlee Science Complex, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Beatrice Rost-Komiya
- Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, 6270 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Diane S Srivastava
- Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, 6270 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
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Donadi S, Austin ÅN, Bergström U, Eriksson BK, Hansen JP, Jacobson P, Sundblad G, van Regteren M, Eklöf JS. A cross-scale trophic cascade from large predatory fish to algae in coastal ecosystems. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2017.0045. [PMID: 28724727 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Trophic cascades occur in many ecosystems, but the factors regulating them are still elusive. We suggest that an overlooked factor is that trophic interactions (TIs) are often scale-dependent and possibly interact across spatial scales. To explore the role of spatial scale for trophic cascades, and particularly the occurrence of cross-scale interactions (CSIs), we collected and analysed food-web data from 139 stations across 32 bays in the Baltic Sea. We found evidence of a four-level trophic cascade linking TIs across two spatial scales: at bay scale, piscivores (perch and pike) controlled mesopredators (three-spined stickleback), which in turn negatively affected epifaunal grazers. At station scale (within bays), grazers on average suppressed epiphytic algae, and indirectly benefitted habitat-forming vegetation. Moreover, the direction and strength of the grazer-algae relationship at station scale depended on the piscivore biomass at bay scale, indicating a cross-scale interaction effect, potentially caused by a shift in grazer assemblage composition. In summary, the trophic cascade from piscivores to algae appears to involve TIs that occur at, but also interact across, different spatial scales. Considering scale-dependence in general, and CSIs in particular, could therefore enhance our understanding of trophic cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Donadi
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden .,Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Aquatic Resources, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Å N Austin
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - U Bergström
- Department of Aquatic Resources, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Öregrund, Sweden
| | - B K Eriksson
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life-Sciences GELIFES, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - J P Hansen
- Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - P Jacobson
- Department of Aquatic Resources, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Öregrund, Sweden
| | - G Sundblad
- Department of Aquatic Resources, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Stockholm, Sweden.,AquaBiota Water Research, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - M van Regteren
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life-Sciences GELIFES, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - J S Eklöf
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden
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Yang Y, Xi X, Zhong X, Eisenhauer N, Sun S. N addition suppresses the performance of grassland caterpillars ( Gynaephora alpherakjj
) by decreasing ground temperature. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yangheshan Yang
- Department of Ecology; School of Life Sciences; Nanjing University; 163 Xianlin Avenue Nanjing 210046 China
| | - Xinqiang Xi
- Department of Ecology; School of Life Sciences; Nanjing University; 163 Xianlin Avenue Nanjing 210046 China
| | - Xintong Zhong
- Department of Ecology; School of Life Sciences; Nanjing University; 163 Xianlin Avenue Nanjing 210046 China
| | - Nico Eisenhauer
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig; Deutscher Platz 5e 04103 Leipzig Germany
- Institute for Biology; Leipzig University; Johannisallee 21 04103 Leipzig Germany
| | - Shucun Sun
- Department of Ecology; School of Life Sciences; Nanjing University; 163 Xianlin Avenue Nanjing 210046 China
- Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province; Chengdu Institute of Biology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Chengdu 610041 China
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Xi X, Li D, Peng Y, Eisenhauer N, Sun S. Experimental warming and precipitation interactively modulate the mortality rate and timing of spring emergence of a gallmaking Tephritid fly. Sci Rep 2016; 6:32284. [PMID: 27578601 PMCID: PMC5006085 DOI: 10.1038/srep32284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Global climate change is mostly characterized by temperature increase and fluctuating precipitation events, which may affect the spring phenology and mortality rate of insects. However, the interaction effect of temperature and precipitation on species performance has rarely been examined. Here we studied the response of the gall-making Tephritid fly Urophora stylata (Diptera: Tephritidae) to artificial warming, changes in precipitation, and the presence of galls. Our results revealed a significant interaction effect of warming, precipitation, and galls on the life-history traits of the focal species. Specifically, when the galls were intact, warming had no effect on the phenology and increased the mortality of the fly under decreased precipitation, but it significantly advanced the timing of adult emergence and had no effect on the mortality under increased precipitation. When galls were removed, warming significantly advanced the timing of emergence and increased fly mortality, but precipitation showed no effect on the phenology and mortality. In addition, gall removal significantly increased adult fresh mass for both females and males. Our results indicate that the effect of elevated temperature on the performance of species may depend on other environmental conditions, such as variations in precipitation, and species traits like the formation of galls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinqiang Xi
- Department of Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlindadao Avenue, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Dongbo Li
- Department of Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlindadao Avenue, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Youhong Peng
- ECORES Lab, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Nico Eisenhauer
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Institute for Biology, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 21, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Shucun Sun
- Department of Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlindadao Avenue, Nanjing 210023, China.,ECORES Lab, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
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