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Jiang X, Fang Z, Lai J, Wu Q, Wu J, Gong B, Wang Y. Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Chinese Chestnut ( Castanea mollissima Blume) Cultivars Revealed by GBS Resequencing. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:3524. [PMID: 36559637 PMCID: PMC9781913 DOI: 10.3390/plants11243524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima Bl.) is one of the earliest domesticated and cultivated fruit trees, and it is widely distributed in China. Because of the high quality of its nuts and its high resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses, Chinese chestnut could be used to improve edible chestnut varieties worldwide. However, the unclear domestication history and highly complex genetic background of Chinese chestnut have prevented the efficiency of breeding efforts. To explore the genetic diversity and structure of Chinese chestnut populations and generate new insights that could aid chestnut breeding, heterozygosity statistics, molecular variance analysis, ADMIXTURE analysis, principal component analysis, and phylogenetic analysis were conducted to analyze single nucleotide polymorphism data from 185 Chinese chestnut landraces from five geographical regions in China via genotyping by sequencing. Results showed that the genetic diversity level of the five populations from different regions was relatively high, with an observed heterozygosity of 0.2796-0.3427. The genetic diversity level of the population in the mid-western regions was the highest, while the population north of the Yellow River was the lowest. Molecular variance analysis showed that the variation among different populations was only 2.07%, while the intra-group variation reached 97.93%. The Chinese chestnut samples could be divided into two groups: a northern and southern population, separated by the Yellow River; however, some samples from the southern population were genetically closer to samples from the northern population. We speculate that this might be related to the migration of humans during the Han dynasty due to the frequent wars that took place during this period, which might have led to the introduction of chestnut to southern regions. Some samples from Shandong Province and Beijing City were outliers that did not cluster with their respective groups, and this might be caused by the special geographical, political, and economic significance of these two regions. The findings of our study showed the complex genetic relationships among Chinese chestnut landraces and the high genetic diversity of these resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xibing Jiang
- Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou 311400, China
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Zhou Fang
- Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou 311400, China
| | - Junsheng Lai
- Qingyuan Bureau of Natural Resources and Planning, Lishui 323800, China
| | - Qiang Wu
- Qingyuan Bureau of Natural Resources and Planning, Lishui 323800, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Qingyuan Bureau of Natural Resources and Planning, Lishui 323800, China
| | - Bangchu Gong
- Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou 311400, China
| | - Yanpeng Wang
- Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou 311400, China
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Lamperty T, Brosi BJ. Loss of endangered frugivores from seed dispersal networks generates severe mutualism disruption. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220887. [PMID: 36476005 PMCID: PMC9554716 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Many tropical seed-dispersing frugivores are facing extinction, but the consequences of the loss of endangered frugivores for seed dispersal is not well understood. We investigated the role of frugivore endangerment status via robustness-to-coextinction simulations (in this context, more accurately described as robustness-to-partner-loss simulations) using data from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. By simulating the extinction of endangered frugivores, we found a rapid and disproportionate loss of tree species with dispersal partners in the network, and this surprisingly surpassed any other frugivore extinction scenario, including the loss of the most generalist frugivores first. A key driver of this pattern is that many specialist plants rely on at-risk frugivores as seed-dispersal partners. Moreover, interaction compensation in the absence of endangered frugivores may be unlikely because frugivores with growing populations forage on fewer plant species than frugivores with declining populations. Therefore, protecting endangered frugivores could be critical for maintaining tropical forest seed dispersal, and their loss may have higher-than-expected functional consequences for tropical forests, their regeneration processes, and the maintenance of tropical plant diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Therese Lamperty
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Life Sciences Building, 3747 W Stevens WayNE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Berry J. Brosi
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Life Sciences Building, 3747 W Stevens WayNE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Godó L, Valkó O, Borza S, Deák B. A global review on the role of small rodents and lagomorphs (clade Glires) in seed dispersal and plant establishment. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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Mazzamuto MV, Wauters LA, Koprowski JL. Exotic Pet Trade as a Cause of Biological Invasions: The Case of Tree Squirrels of the Genus Callosciurus. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10101046. [PMID: 34681145 PMCID: PMC8533491 DOI: 10.3390/biology10101046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The pet industry is a growing global multibillion dollar market. The increase of exotic and non-domesticated animal ownership has led to an increase in the number of non-native pets released that create invasive alien species (IAS) populations in the wild. IAS negatively impact the biodiversity, human health and countries’ economies. We use tree squirrels of the genus Callosciurus as a well-documented case study of pets that become IAS. We review the pathways and range of introduction and the challenge and legal importance of species identification. Next, we document how they negatively affect native plants and animals, their parasitic infections that can threat native wildlife and human health and their impact on human activities and productive systems. We discuss the diverse biological, social, political and economic reasons that make control/eradication of these charismatic species difficult in most countries. However, we also highlight the successful management of the IAS in two countries where the early detection and engagement of stakeholders were key to successful eradication. We conclude that efforts to educate and involve the broader public by actively engaging a diversity of stakeholders are more likely to build a consensus toward IAS management and should be a priority for each country. Abstract The trade of non-native pets, especially of non-domesticated and exotic animals, and their subsequent release and establishment of populations is one of the major pathways of introduction for invasive alien reptiles, amphibia, birds and mammals. Here, we use a group of arboreal mammals, tree squirrels of the genus Callosciurus, as a well-documented case study, reviewing the pathways of introduction, the current areas of non-native distribution, the rate of establishment success and the challenge and legal importance of species identification. We further illustrate the importance of early detection and effective monitoring methods and plans. Next, we document how they interfere with native species, their risk of acting as vectors for emerging infectious diseases and their potential role in maintaining parasitic infections that can affect human health. We conclude by reviewing the current management, or the lack of it, and highlight the diverse biological, social, political and economic reasons that make control/eradication of these charismatic species difficult or even impractical in most countries. However, reviewing the only two successful eradications of the IAS, we highlight the need to acknowledge the public opinion and the importance of communication, transparency and the engagement of a diversity of stakeholders to create a consensus about the actions to undertake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vittoria Mazzamuto
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave, Laramie, WY 82071, USA;
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Lucas A. Wauters
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy;
| | - John L. Koprowski
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave, Laramie, WY 82071, USA;
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Gopal A, Mudappa D, Raman TRS, Naniwadekar R. Seed fates of four rainforest tree species in the fragmented forests of Anamalais in the southern Western Ghats, India. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2020.103698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Meiga AYY, Christianini AV. Potential impact of mammal defaunation on the early regeneration of a large-seeded palm in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. NEOTROPICAL BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION 2020. [DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.15.e54017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Defaunation, the decline in animal species and populations, is biased towards large-bodied animals that have unique roles as dispersers of large seeds. However, it is speculated that these roles may still be performed by smaller animals, such as small mammals like rodents and marsupials, that thrive in defaunated sites. We investigated if small mammals can disperse the large-seeded palm Attalea dubia. We performed the study in a well-conserved Atlantic Forest remnant in southeast Brazil that still harbours large mammals, such as tapirs. Focal observations showed that capuchin-monkeys consumed the mesocarp of the fruits and dropped the seeds beneath the plant crown thereafter. Mammals preyed on ca. 1% and removed ca. 15% of the fallen fruit/seed and deposited them up to 15 m away. Amongst them, small mammals (< 1 kg), such as the squirrel Guerlinguetus brasiliensis and non-identified nocturnal Sigmodontinae, as well as the marsupial Philander frenatus performed the bulk of interactions. Dispersal enhances recruitment, but the short distances of seed removal did not match the current spatial distribution of palm seedlings and juveniles. Recaching rates of hoarded seeds were small (2%) and unlikely to increase distances of seed dispersal achieved. Short distances of dispersal would increase plant clumpiness and negative density-dependent effects with time. Although small mammals can provide legitimate dispersal, they cannot fully replace larger frugivorous mammals and maintain long-distance seed dispersal that feeds plant metapopulation dynamics and seed gene flow.
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Gómez JM, Schupp EW, Jordano P. Synzoochory: the ecological and evolutionary relevance of a dual interaction. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2018; 94:874-902. [PMID: 30467946 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- José María Gómez
- Departamento de Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA-CSIC), Ctra Sacramento s/n, La Cañada de San Urbano, E-04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Eugene W Schupp
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center, S. J. and Jesse E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, 5230 Old Main Hill, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-5230,, U.S.A
| | - Pedro Jordano
- Departamento de Ecología Integrativa, Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Avda. Americo Vespucio S/N, E-41092 Sevilla, Spain
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Bartlow AW, Lichti NI, Curtis R, Swihart RK, Steele MA. Re-caching of acorns by rodents: Cache management in eastern deciduous forests of North America. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2018.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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9
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Geng Y, Wang B, Cao L. Directed seed dispersal by scatter-hoarding rodents into areas with a low density of conspecific seeds in the absence of pilferage. J Mammal 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyx131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanzhao Geng
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan 666303, China (YG, BW, LC)
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China (YG)
- Key Laboratory of Weed and Rodent Biology and Management, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China (YG)
| | - Bo Wang
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan 666303, China (YG, BW, LC)
| | - Lin Cao
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan 666303, China (YG, BW, LC)
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10
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Corlett RT. Frugivory and seed dispersal by vertebrates in tropical and subtropical Asia: An update. Glob Ecol Conserv 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2017.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Cao L, Wang Z, Yan C, Chen J, Guo C, Zhang Z. Differential foraging preferences on seed size by rodents result in higher dispersal success of medium-sized seeds. Ecology 2017; 97:3070-3078. [PMID: 27870042 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.1555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Revised: 05/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Rodent preference for scatter-hoarding large seeds has been widely considered to favor the evolution of large seeds. Previous studies supporting this conclusion were primarily based on observations at earlier stages of seed dispersal, or on a limited sample of successfully established seedlings. Because seed dispersal comprises multiple dispersal stages, we hypothesized that differential foraging preference on seed size by animal dispersers at different dispersal stages would ultimately result in medium-sized seeds having the highest dispersal success rates. In this study, by tracking a large number of seeds for 5 yr, we investigated the effects of seed size on seed fates from seed removal to seedling establishment of a dominant plant Pittosporopsis kerrii (Icacinaceae) dispersed by scatter-hoarding rodents in tropical forest in southwest China. We found that small seeds had a lower survival rate at the early dispersal stage where more small seeds were predated at seed stations and after removal; large seeds had a lower survival rate at the late dispersal stage, more large seeds were recovered, predated after being cached, or larder-hoarded. Medium-sized seeds experienced the highest dispersal success. Our study suggests that differential foraging preferences by scatter-hoarding rodents at different stages of seed dispersal could result in conflicting selective pressures on seed size and higher dispersal success of medium-sized seeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Cao
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla 666303, China.,State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China.,Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Zhenyu Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China
| | - Chuan Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jin Chen
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla 666303, China
| | - Cong Guo
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Zhibin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China
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Cao L, Guo C, Chen J. Fluctuation in seed abundance has contrasting effects on the fate of seeds from two rapidly germinating tree species in an Asian tropical forest. Integr Zool 2017; 12:2-11. [PMID: 27265119 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The seed predator satiation hypothesis states that high seed abundance can satiate seed predators or seed dispersers, thus promoting seed survival. However, for rapidly germinating seeds in tropical forests, high seed abundance may limit dispersal as the seeds usually remain under parent trees for long periods, which may lead to high mortality due to rodent predation or fungal infestations. By tracking 2 species of rapidly germinating seeds (Pittosporopsis kerrii, family Icacinaceae; Camellia kissi, family Theaceae), which depend on dispersal by scatter-hoarding rodents, we investigated the effects of seed abundance at the community level on predation and seed dispersal in the tropical forest of Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Southwest China. We found that high seed abundance at the community level was associated with delayed and reduced seed removal, decreased dispersal distance and increased pre-dispersal seed survival for both plant species. High seed abundance was also associated with reduced seed caching of C. kissi, but it showed little effect on seed caching of P. kerrii. However, post-dispersal seed survival for the 2 plant species followed the reverse pattern. High seed abundance in the community was associated with higher post-dispersal survival of P. kerrii seeds, but with lower post-dispersal survival of C. kissi seeds. Our results suggest that different plant species derive benefit from fluctuations in seed production in different ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Cao
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Cong Guo
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jin Chen
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan, China
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Campos CM, Campos VE, Miguel F, Cona MI. Management of Protected Areas and Its Effect on an Ecosystem Function: Removal of Prosopis flexuosa Seeds by Mammals in Argentinian Drylands. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162551. [PMID: 27655222 PMCID: PMC5031424 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The ecological function of animal seed dispersal depends on species interactions and can be affected by drivers such as the management interventions applied to protected areas. This study was conducted in two protected areas in the Monte Desert: a fenced reserve with grazing exclusion and absence of large native mammals (the Man and Biosphere Ñacuñán Reserve; FR) and an unfenced reserve with low densities of large native and domestic animals (Ischigualasto Park; UFR). The study focuses on Prosopis flexuosa seed removal by different functional mammal groups: "seed predators", "scatter-hoarders", and "opportunistic frugivores". Under both interventions, the relative contribution to seed removal by different functional mammal groups was assessed, as well as how these groups respond to habitat heterogeneity (i.e. vegetation structure) at different spatial scales. Camera traps were used to identify mammal species removing P. flexuosa seeds and to quantify seed removal; remote sensing data helped analyze habitat heterogeneity. In the FR, the major fruit removers were a seed predator (Graomys griseoflavus) and a scatter-hoarder (Microcavia asutralis). In the UFR, the main seed removers were the opportunistic frugivores (Lycalopex griseus and Dolichotis patagonum), who removed more seeds than the seed predator in the FR. The FR shows higher habitat homogeneity than the UFR, and functional groups respond differently to habitat heterogeneity at different spatial scales. In the FR, because large herbivores are locally extinct (e.g. Lama guanicoe) and domestic herbivores are excluded, important functions of large herbivores are missing, such as the maintenance of habitat heterogeneity, which provides habitats for medium-sized opportunistic frugivores with consequent improvement of quality and quantity of seed dispersal services. In the UFR, with low densities of large herbivores, probably one important ecosystem function this group performs is to increase habitat heterogeneity, allowing for the activity of medium-sized mammals who, behaving as opportunistic frugivores, did the most significant seed removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia M. Campos
- Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas (UNCuyo- Gobierno de Mendoza-CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
- * E-mail:
| | - Valeria E. Campos
- Centro de Investigaciones de la Geosfera y la Biosfera (UNSJ- CONICET), Interacciones Biológicas del Desierto (INTERBIODES), San Juan, Argentina
| | - Florencia Miguel
- Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas (UNCuyo- Gobierno de Mendoza-CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Mónica I. Cona
- Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas (UNCuyo- Gobierno de Mendoza-CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
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Bobadilla SY, Benitez VV, Guichón ML. Asiatic Callosciurus squirrels as seed dispersers of exotic plants in the Pampas. Curr Zool 2016; 62:215-219. [PMID: 29491908 PMCID: PMC5804237 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zow009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Seed dispersal by exotic mammals exemplifies mutualistic interactions that can modify the habitat by facilitating the establishment of certain species. We examined the potential for endozoochoric dispersal of exotic plants by Callosciurus erythraeus introduced in the Pampas Region of Argentina. We identified and characterized entire and damaged seeds found in squirrel faeces and evaluated the germination capacity and viability of entire seeds in laboratory assays. We collected 120 samples of squirrel faeces that contained 883 pellets in seasonal surveys conducted between July 2011 and June 2012 at 3 study sites within the main invasion focus of C. erythraeus in Argentina. We found 226 entire seeds in 21% of the samples belonging to 4 species of exotic trees and shrubs. Germination in laboratory assays was recorded for Morus alba and Casuarina sp.; however, germination percentage and rate was higher for seeds obtained from the fruits than for seeds obtained from the faeces. The largest size of entire seeds found in the faeces was 4.2 × 4.0 mm, whereas the damaged seeds had at least 1 dimension ≥ 4.7 mm. Our results indicated that C. erythraeus can disperse viable seeds of at least 2 species of exotic trees. C. erythraeus predated seeds of other naturalized species in the region. The morphometric description suggested a restriction on the maximum size for the passage of entire seeds through the digestive tract of squirrels, which provides useful information to predict its role as a potential disperser or predator of other species in other invaded communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Yasmin Bobadilla
- Ecología de Mamíferos Introducidos, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable (INEDES), Universidad Nacional de Luján, Ruta 5 y 7, Luján (6700), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Verónica V Benitez
- Ecología de Mamíferos Introducidos, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable (INEDES), Universidad Nacional de Luján, Ruta 5 y 7, Luján (6700), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M Laura Guichón
- Ecología de Mamíferos Introducidos, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable (INEDES), Universidad Nacional de Luján, Ruta 5 y 7, Luján (6700), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Lai X, Guo C, Xiao Z. Trait-mediated seed predation, dispersal and survival among frugivore-dispersed plants in a fragmented subtropical forest, Southwest China. Integr Zool 2015; 9:246-54. [PMID: 24952965 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
By tracking the fate of individual seeds from 6 frugivore-dispersed plants with contrasting seed traits in a fragmented subtropical forest in Southwest China, we explored how rodent seed predation and hoarding were influenced by seed traits such as seed size, seed coat hardness and seed profitability. Post-dispersal seed fates varied significantly among the 6 seed species and 3 patterns were witnessed: large-seeded species with a hard seed coat (i.e. Choerospoadias axillaries and Diospyros kaki var. silvestris) had more seeds removed, cached and then surviving at caches, and they also had fewer seeds predated but a higher proportion of seeds surviving at the source; medium-sized species with higher profitability and thinner seed coat (i.e. Phoebe zhennan and Padus braohypoda) were first harvested and had the lowest probability of seeds surviving either at the source or at caches due to higher predation before or after removal; and small-seeded species with lower profitability (i.e. Elaeocarpus japonicas and Cornus controversa) had the highest probability of seeds surviving at the source but the lowest probability of seeds surviving at caches due to lower predation at the source and lower hoarding at caches. Our study indicates that patterns of seed predation, dispersal and survival among frugivore-dispersed plants are highly determined by seed traits such as seed size, seed defense and seed profitability due to selective predation and hoarding by seed-eating rodents. Therefore, trait-mediated seed predation, dispersal and survival via seed-eating rodents can largely affect population and community dynamics of frugivore-dispersed plants in fragmented forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Lai
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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16
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Krebs
- Emeritus Professor Department of Zoology University of British Columbia Vancouver; BC Canada
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17
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Chang G, Zhang Z. Functional traits determine formation of mutualism and predation interactions in seed-rodent dispersal system of a subtropical forest. ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2013.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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18
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Beckman NG, Rogers HS. Consequences of Seed Dispersal for Plant Recruitment in Tropical Forests: Interactions Within the Seedscape. Biotropica 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Noelle G. Beckman
- Mathematical Biosciences Institute; The Ohio State University; 1735 Neil Avenue Columbus OH 43210 U.S.A
| | - Haldre S. Rogers
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Rice University; MS170 Houston TX 77005 U.S.A
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Sun S, Zhang H. Cache sites preferred by small rodents facilitate cache survival in a subtropical primary forest, central China. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2013. [DOI: 10.1071/wr13038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Scatter-hoarding rodents tend to hoard plant seeds in preferred places that facilitate seed survival, resulting in high food rewards for hoarders and a high probability of seedling establishment for plants.
Aims
To test the hypothesis that caches placed in rodent-preferred microhabitats, nearest-neighbour distances between caches (cache density) or cache depths have an increased chance of survival.
Methods
Rodent-made caches and observer-established caches of Himalayan hazelnut (Corylus ferox) seeds were tracked in a subtropical primary forest in central China. The survival of caches within rodent-preferred microhabitats, nearest-neighbour distances and cache depths were identified.
Key results
Rodents preferred to hoard Himalayan hazelnut seeds in microhabitats under and at the edge of shrubs, with the nearest-neighbour distance of <4.0 m, and at 2.1–4.0-cm depth. The survival times of both rodent-made caches and observer-established caches were longer within rodent-preferred microhabitats than in other habitats and increased with an increasing nearest-neighbour distance and cache depth, up to what appeared to be an optimal nearest-neighbour distance and depth.
Conclusions
Conditions of rodent-preferred cache microhabitats, nearest-neighbour distances and cache depths can facilitate cache survival.
Implications
Rodents often move plant seeds away from parent trees and bury them in shallow soil, which benefits seed dispersal and establishment of plants. The present study demonstrates that rodent-preferred cache conditions may translate into higher seed survival and a higher tendency of seeds to germinate and establish. Thus, careful management and conservation of rodent-preferred hoarding habitats may benefit seed dispersal and survival.
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CARLO TA, CAMPOS-ARCEIZ A, STEELE MA, XIONG W. Frugivory and seed dispersal: integrating patterns, mechanisms and consequences of a key animal-plant interaction. Integr Zool 2011; 6:165-7. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-4877.2011.00256.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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